By Catie George, Director, Communications & Storytelling
The Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) recently expanded its commitment to talent, which is critical to developing a talent pipeline to support our region’s economic success at every stage. Upskilling has become a key way to elevate talent’s role and address the region’s most in-demand job needs. Upskilling teaches existing workers new skills to advance their existing role into a higher-wage role in their field.
Two DRC member companies, CEC Facilities and ActiveOps, are doing extraordinary work in upskilling construction and financial services workers, providing models for companies interested in elevating their talent strategies.
Upskilling programs create advancement paths for workers without university degrees.
Upskilling is particularly valuable in industries with skilled pathways, providing opportunities for talent to learn new skills through on-the-job training and certifications.
“We have found that many team members start early in this field and then grow through the ranks,” said Michael Cupps, Executive Vice President of Growth for North America at ActiveOps. “Our approach helps these individuals learn important management skills… We also teach skills like agile management styles to help maximize productivity and time with activities and teams. These skills apply to any employer looking to recruit skilled operations team managers.”
CEC University, what CEC Facilities calls their upskilling program, and ActiveOps’ programs differ, but both are prime examples of addressing industry-specific workforce needs.
“Our interns that are rising seniors get an internship opportunity the summer before their senior year so we can get them on job sites where they could be effective and also give them the experience they really need to see if they want to start a career in the electrical field,” said Fred McHugh, Dean of CEC University.
Upskilling programs benefit both companies and workers.
Around the world, more than 40,000 people have taken academy courses and certifications. These programs not only help the companies that provide them, but also the candidates who are engaged.
“These certifications help individuals advance in both their role in an organization and typically improve income. While it is new in the US, in other countries such as Australia, this accreditation is frequently sought after in the hiring process,” said Cupps. “As part of our community, we have an academy designed to teach individuals and leaders to develop better plans and improve on managing and motivating their team members.”
The DRC has been working to promote upskilling and reskilling as a method to strengthen Dallas-Fort Worth’s talent pipeline.
“[These upskilling and reskilling programs are] thoughtfully made because it’s ultimately going to help the company’s bottom line, but it’s also going to help people,” said Senior Vice President of Talent Strategies at the DRC Elizabeth Caudill McClain. “That’s what’s so cool about this. It’s helping the people that they’re training, but it’s also helping [these companies] to grow as quickly as they have.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefit of upskilling or reskilling programs, reach out to Elizabeth Caudill McClain.