The best ways to upskill and reskill young workers

It’s a tough old world out there, especially in the UK job market. And for those who are entering it for the first time or at the very start of their career, it can be even more daunting. Who can help with this?

HR professionals.

They can play a key part in helping young employees to succeed and grow. With new technologies and ever-evolving needs in the workplace, there’s an increasing demand for fresh, new skills… and that’s where upskilling and reskilling comes in. 

World Youth Skills Day 2025, celebrated on July 15th, is the perfect time to explore how HR and leadership teams can support the next generation to build the tools they need to flourish.

So let’s take a closer look at what can be done.

According to recent statistics on the UK unemployment rate, it’s this young generation who are hit the hardest. The stats show that, “Approximately 14.2% of people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 2025, the highest of any age group in that month.” The report goes on to state that, “A more long-term trend among this age group is the increase in economic inactivity, with 40.8% of 16 to 24-year-olds not in work or actively looking for work in 2024.”

These stats show exactly why it is vital for young employees to upskill in order to leverage existing knowledge, meaning they can give themselves the best opportunity to find work, surge forward in their current role, or move to a different one. For these young professionals, this could point towards brushing up on communication skills, learning the latest tech tools, or diving more deeply into their area of interest. 

HR teams play a responsible part in all of this by providing access to real-world learning opportunities, focused training, and mentorship.

When companies prioritise both upskilling and reskilling, it’s a win-win situation, with employers benefitting from long-term loyalty, increased productivity, and innovation, while employees become motivated and feel equally supported.

While both strategies strengthen workforce capabilities, the key difference is:

• Upskilling means building upon existing skills to perform a position more effectively or to qualify for advanced roles within a similar sphere.
• Reskilling emphasises the need to train individuals in totally different abilities to what they’re used to, in order to change careers or dive into a new sector.

A Marketing Assistant could upskill by studying advanced data analytics tools to enhance their campaign management and performance. To reskill, that same individual might want to pivot to become a UX Designer, undertaking an entirely new set of training in user testing, design thinking, and software tool management. 

Another example is the work of a Junior Software Developer. To upskill, they could learn cloud computing so they can tackle more complex infrastructure-related duties. If they wanted a complete career change to become a Customer Service Representative, they would need to reskill by undertaking a customer service certification programme and training in effective communication.

In each of these cases, the support of the HR team and management is crucial. HR leaders must assess employee aspirations and organisational requirements to figure out which path supports individual goals as well as business needs.

Providing the time, resources, and a clear pathway for learning and development ensures that young workers can succeed in new or evolving roles through upskilling or reskilling. The benefits are mutual – companies future proof their workforce, while employees gain credible competencies. It’s what World Youth Skills Day 2025 is all about.

 If you’re looking for a partner to help accelerate the upskilling of your workforce, click below to speak with a Careerminds expert, and explore what talent development solutions we can provide for your organisation.

Below are the top 5 benefits to upskilling and reskilling the next generation as an HR strategy. These benefits help to mould resilient, agile, and innovative organisations across all sectors by going beyond individual growth.

Let’s take a look:

1. Improved employee engagement – Employees feel more connected to their work and are more focused on succeeding in a company if they are provided with learning opportunities and support.
2. Enhanced talent retention – Upskilling staff builds loyalty while promoting internal career mobility, by showing workers that their future matters.
3. Greater adaptability – A continuously learning workforce is better prepared to respond when there are technological changes, business disruptions, and market shifts.
4. Stronger employer branding – Businesses that truly invest in the growth of their employees  build reputations as employers of choice, which attract skilled professionals.
5. Increased innovation – Members of staff who are increasingly learning new skills will inevitably bring in new perspectives and ideas that boost efficiency, creativity, and product / process improvements.

World Youth Skills Day 2025 focuses on the importance of young people learning relevant skills that fit with a dynamic labour market. For HR teams, this day, and beyond, is a reminder of the critical role they play in shaping the career opportunities of fresh, young employees.

The workplace and job market is far removed from even a few years ago. Automation, economic fluctuations, and progress in the digital sphere are reshaping the workplace. The traditional pathways in education often aren’t enough to meet demands. This then falls onto HR teams to champion upskilling and reskilling programmes that align with trends in how work life will look in the future.

Examples such as on-the-job training, internships, and mentorships, provide structured learning opportunities that help young employees to build their capabilities as well as their confidence, which lessens the chances of facing mental health issues. It also shows them that the company they work for is fully invested in their long-term success.

Across the UK, there will be various events and activities to commemorate World Youth Skills Day 2025, such as:

• Educational institutions, NGOs, and government initiatives hosting relevant workshops, discussions, and training sessions that showcase the achievements of young people while providing insights into vital skills needed for future employment.
• Events such as the Skills in Action Photo Competition which invite young people to showcase their creativity.
• Initiatives such as #WhatsYourSkill to encourage young people to share skills and experiences, that in turn will promote skills development.

So that young staff can advance in their careers, there are various strategies that leadership and the HR team can highlight to make upskilling and reskilling an integral part of the culture.

But before diving in, take a look at our Careerminds webinar, Enhance Your Upskilling Strategy with 4 Experts, to learn how to implement them at your own organisation.

Self-assessments, performance evaluations, and constructive feedback workshops are the most efficient ways to pinpoint any skills your young employees may need. Understanding these gaps will help provide each team member with a focused development plan that aligns with their potential and with company needs.

Young employees need to be included in learning and development pathways that are customised to specific career stages. In order to support their professional growth over time, programmes such as gradual skill progression, foundational training, and exposure to real-world scenarios are ideal.

Matching young workers with mentors, who are experienced in their field, will provide personalised guidance, help them make career decisions, and build workplace confidence. Mentors also model positive habits and offer career planning advice that formal training programmes can gloss over.

Allowing young employees access to mobile apps, learning platforms, and fun learning tools will ensure they can align their approach with exploring the digital world. This results in their training being more relevant, engaging, and accessible.

In order to make all of this relevant, it’s vital to connect learning goals with clearly defined career steps so they can fully comprehend that acquiring specific skills can lead to additional responsibilities, a promotion, or even a new job.

Outplacement is usually associated with executives, long-tenured staff, or senior professionals navigating role transitions. Many programmes help more experienced employees to re-enter the job market, while providing them with resources such as CV and LinkedIn writing support, career coaching, and networking opportunities that are tailored to their level of experience.

But the benefits of outplacement can be just as valuable to younger workers, especially those who have been impacted by changes early on in their career. These programmes, when integrated with reskilling and upskilling approaches, can provide a structured path and foundation that help young professionals explore new opportunities, build direction in an uncertain job market, or take a whole new path towards a different career, thus avoiding burnout.

HR professionals can weave upskilling initiatives into outplacement programmes by:

• Offering CV support and career coaching
• Providing access to learning platforms and certifications
• Encouraging participation in industry-specific boot camps
• Partnering with workforce development agencies or community colleges

This multi-layered approach, where internal capabilities are built up while preparing for external mobility change, helps companies maintain morale and trust.

Speaking of change, we at Careerminds understand how difficult it can be to lay off employees, no matter what their age or experience. If the time comes for you to make some changes within the workforce, download our free Essential Guide to Handling a Layoff. With step-by-step strategies, you can ensure a smooth transition for employees while protecting the reputation of your company. Click below to download it today.

World Youth Skills Day 2025 is a timely reminder for HR teams to double their efforts in supporting young workers with upskilling and reskilling.

• Helping those new to the workplace with gaining more skills is a strategic approach for any organisation wanting to remain competitive.
• By embedding continuous learning into the organisational structure, and linking it to career transition services, businesses can produce future-ready teams that remain resilient.
• Upskilling and reskilling creates a more innovative, inclusive, and adaptable workforce which will lift the whole organisation.
• If you need help implementing an outplacement programme, reach out to us at Careerminds. We are ready to steer you through the process with our industry-leading services and a modern, results-driven approach. Click below to get in touch.