Emerging HR practices-digital upskilling: A strategic way of talent management and engagement

Digital upskilling is creating a positive shift and new implications in the field of human resource management. The introduction of digitization in HR practices like automation, artificial intelligence and big data analytics changes the dimensions of work at a greater pace. Therefore, companies are realizing the importance of digital upskilling for their workforce to stay competitive and more productive than before. As a result, it is unavoidable for organizations to effectively plan, manage, engage and retain digital talent. There is a knowledge gap among the employees in developing technological skills to perform their jobs and tasks. Rather than concentrating on hiring and training new employees with expected skills, which is an expensive and hectic process, it is better that the organization identify this knowledge gap and teach additional skills to their existing employees to enrich their performance. This strategy of teaching additional skills to the existing employees is termed 'upskilling'. Upskilling involves continuous learning of skills to adapt to changing environments and avoid becoming obsolete. Digital upskilling refers to teaching technology-oriented skills to employees to meet the demands of the technologies and digitalization involved in their businesses. This paper attempts to review the digital upskilling of the employees in the organization which is a key strategic approach to effectively managing and engaging talent. This paper emphasizes the importance and benefits of digital upskilling in the workplace. The contribution of this paper relies on pointing out some of the effective and successful approaches to developing digital upskilling strategies in organizations.