Build Your Skills

Improving on or learning new skills can help you keep your job – and position you to move up.

Make sure your basic skills are strong.

In almost any workplace, you’ll need basic skills such as these:

Reading skills – to get information from instructions, signs and customer orders, for example
Writing skills – to fill out forms, write reports and share information, for example
Math skills – to make change when dealing with payment, do inventory, measure things or work on budgets, for example
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills – to make good decisions and find solutions to problems, for example
Computer skills – to be able to input information, use e-mail and create professional looking letters, for example

Why build your skills?

It can help you:

Perform better at your current job
Handle change
Improve your chances of promotion
Compete in a global economy
Get qualified for another job if you get laid off or you want a different opportunity.

Lifelong learning is the name of the game.

Changes come with every job. You might need to take on new responsibilities, or new technology may come along.
The world is getting smaller. Learning another language can open doors for you.

Learn to roll with the changes. Show your employer that you can be part of the future!

There are lots of ways you can build skills.

For example:

Some workplaces offer continuing education classes or extra training sessions. (Some even pay all or part of the costs of outside classes.)
There may be workshops or conferences held nearby.
Local colleges offer many classes for people who want to continue learning, with or without seeking a degree.
Local high schools or other community programs may offer classes to help you get a GED or improve your English.
There may be options online, such as distance learning and tutorials.
Find out what’s available. It can help to read trade magazines. You can also ask at your local library.

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