Today’s workers increasingly view upskilling as a vital resource, finds the 2024 Upskilling Sentiment Survey, with a majority of working Canadians believing it’s an important approach to advancing careers and not falling behind in an evolving workforce.
Unsurprisingly, the youngest generation surveyed (Gen Z) was the most convinced of the value of upskilling.
The annual survey was conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Growclass, an online platform for digital marketers.
Sarah Stockdale, founder and chief executive of Growclass, says her company’s survey affirms that “upskilling is no longer a choice, but a necessity for career progression,” citing impactful factors such as “the rise of new technologies like AI and our current competitive job market.”
Many Canadians currently consider the importance of developing soft skills to be ahead of technical ones, with interpersonal communication and leadership abilities clocking in ahead of artificial intelligence know-how.
About 40% of Canadians have engaged in some form of upskilling in the past year, according to the survey. That number could rise markedly if barriers such as cost were removed, data suggests.
Half of Canadians feel the cost of courses is a point of friction, for example, with 64% saying they would be more likely to invest in upskilling if their employer covered the cost or it was partially subsidized by a government body.
Growclass offers an array of digital marketing-related upskilling opportunities, ranging from Customer Psychology to Search Engine Optimization and Conversion Copywriting.
“At Growclass, we’re dedicated to equipping workers with the skills they need to advance in their work lives,” Stockdale stated, “ensuring everyone has the opportunity for personal and professional growth no matter what stage of their careers they’re currently in.”
