upskill

/ˌʌpˈskɪl/
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To develop additional abilities so that a person can perform more advanced or different work.

Examples

  • Small businesses often struggle to upskill their workforce.
  • Can this course upskill staff without taking them away from work?
  • I used the quieter months to upskill and learn project management.
  • She is upskilling in data analysis to qualify for a new role.
  • The company upskilled its technicians before installing the new equipment.

Similar words

train
educate
develop
coach
reskill
retrain

Meanings

Develop additional work skills

verb
education
neutral
To teach someone additional skills, or to learn such skills, especially so that a person can do more advanced or different work.

Examples

  • The company upskilled its technicians before installing the new equipment.
  • She is upskilling in data analysis to qualify for a new role.
  • Can this course upskill staff without taking them away from work?
  • Small businesses often struggle to upskill their workforce.
  • I used the quieter months to upskill and learn project management.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed from up-, suggesting improvement, and skill. The verb became widespread in workplace and training language in the late twentieth century.

FAQ

What does upskill mean?

To upskill is to teach or learn additional abilities, especially for more advanced or different work.

Can a person upskill themselves?

Yes. The verb can be intransitive, as in “I want to upskill,” or transitive, as in “the course upskilled the team.”

What is the difference between upskill and reskill?

To upskill usually means improving or adding abilities for progression, while to reskill means learning abilities for a different kind of work.

Is upskill used only by employers?

No. Employers can upskill workers, and individuals can upskill through courses, practice, mentoring, or experience.

Where does upskill come from?

It combines up-, suggesting improvement, with skill, and became common in modern workplace and training language.

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