What is an upskilling program?
An upskilling program is a structured initiative that helps employees gain new skills or improve existing ones to keep up with changing job requirements, take on new responsibilities, or advance within a company. These programs may include on-the-job training, workshops, certifications, cross-training, or digital learning tools.
For small business owners, upskilling is a cost-effective way to fill talent gaps, reduce turnover, and boost employee engagement—especially when hiring externally is expensive or time-consuming. With platforms like Homebase, you can track roles, performance, and team development to build upskilling directly into your management strategy.
Why upskilling matters for small businesses
In today’s fast-changing labor market, your team needs to keep growing just as your business does. Upskilling helps small businesses:
- Increase productivity by training team members in new tools or systems
- Improve employee retention by showing a commitment to development
- Promote from within instead of relying solely on outside hires
- Reduce training costs by leveraging internal knowledge
- Adapt to new regulations or technologies with confidence
Whether you run a restaurant, retail store, service business, or something in between, upskilling keeps your team competitive and engaged.
Examples of upskilling in a small business
Upskilling doesn’t require a formal training department. Here are practical, low-cost ways small businesses implement upskilling:
- Cross-training employees to perform multiple roles (e.g., host and server, cashier and stock associate)
- Shadowing more senior staff to learn leadership, opening/closing duties, or equipment use
- Workshops or lunch-and-learns on topics like customer service, safety, or point-of-sale systems
- Paying for certifications or licenses required for growth in roles like food safety or equipment operation
- Using online platforms for soft skill development (communication, time management, etc.)
You can also encourage self-led learning through free resources, podcasts, or team challenges.
How to build an upskilling program in your business
You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Here’s a simple roadmap for creating an upskilling program:
1. Identify key roles and skill gaps
Start by listing your most important positions and the skills required to do them well. Then assess which skills are missing or underdeveloped within your team.
2. Talk to your employees
Ask your team members where they want to grow. Some may be interested in management, while others want to deepen skills in their current roles. Align their goals with your business needs.
3. Set learning objectives
Define what success looks like. This could be learning to operate a new system, taking on a leadership task, or completing a certification.
4. Choose your training method
Decide how you’ll deliver the training—internally, with digital tools, or via external providers. Keep it accessible and time-efficient, especially for hourly teams.
5. Monitor progress
Track participation and impact. Use Homebase or other team management tools to document role changes, hours in new roles, or feedback from managers.
6. Recognize and reward progress
Celebrate milestones. Whether it’s a title bump, a pay raise, or just public recognition, showing appreciation boosts morale and motivates others to grow.
Upskilling vs. reskilling: What’s the difference?
- Upskilling: Learning new skills to advance in your current career path (e.g., a line cook learning to become a kitchen manager)
- Reskilling: Learning entirely new skills to move into a different role or job (e.g., a cashier training to become a social media assistant)
Both are valuable, but upskilling focuses more on progression within an employee’s existing role.
Benefits of upskilling programs for employers
- Build a stronger internal pipeline of future leaders
- Adapt faster to business changes, like new tech or services
- Boost employee confidence and morale
- Reduce costly errors through better training
- Improve team flexibility when employees can cover more roles
When employees feel invested in, they’re more likely to invest back into your business.
How Homebase supports team growth and upskilling
Homebase gives small businesses the tools to support team development at every stage. From hiring and onboarding to scheduling and performance tracking, Homebase helps you identify talent and keep your workforce growing.
With Homebase, you can:
- Track job roles, promotions, and performance notes
- Digitally onboard new responsibilities or training documents
- Create clear shift histories to support cross-training
- Communicate with team members about training goals or milestones
- Recognize high performers and support retention
Explore Homebase Hiring and Onboarding to grow your team from the inside out—and make upskilling part of your everyday operations.