How Upskilling Can Help You Bounce Back After a Career Gap

World Economic Forum, in its Future of Jobs Report, found that 44% of worker skills will be disrupted by 2028. That’s how unstable the job market is today. Without proper skills, you won’t survive, and upskill courses can substantially help you.

Emerging tech like Gen AI is currently redefining the organisational workflow and processes. This is just one technology that’s disrupting the worker skills. There is a strong need to close the skills gap.

But how can upskilling help?

Upskilling helps professionals stay relevant and acquire in-demand skills in an AI-driven job market where roles shift rapidly and traditional skills become outdated. It empowers individuals to secure better opportunities, boost confidence, and adapt to evolving industry demands.

Before jumping right into the role of upskill courses in bridging your career gap, we have to understand why upskilling matters in the first place.

Why Upskilling Matters?

Everything starts slowly. Quietly, an automation tool replaces the reporting tasks. AI chatbots start managing the help desk. AI-powered dashboards start identifying discrepancies faster than any manager ever could. Subtly, roles shift.

What once seemed like progress shifts into a pattern. The organisational functions start getting combined. And one by one, employees begin having conversations that were never expected. Sometimes they are told their role is no longer relevant.

This isn’t fiction, but a reality!

We live in the golden age of AI. AI isn’t only changing the way we work, but also reshaping job roles and who does what. What was considered an expertise yesterday is now considered redundant.

According to McKinsey’s report on The State of AI in 2025, it was found that 88% of organisations use AI in at least one organisational function, as compared to 78% in 2024.

This isn’t uncertainty for professionals but a quiet and deep vulnerability. That’s because losing a job because of AI makes them question their identity.

However, the problem with layoffs is that they are reactive. They received the severance letter, and the company wished them well. After that, they are left to figure everything out on their own, often in silence.

In India, layoffs and unemployment come with social stigma. Seeking help from therapists, upskill courses, or coaches is often perceived as an unnecessary measure. They are only valid when someone is in crisis. Even though there is a considerable skills gap in India.

If you want to learn more about Indian Skills Gap Analysis, you can check out “Why India’s Tech Industry Lacks Leaders: A Skills Gap Analysis.”

That’s why upskill courses or upskilling matter. Before discussing the importance of upskilling, let’s define it.

What is Upskilling?

Upskilling by upskill courses is a way of learning or enhancing skills that are relevant to your current role. It can also be considered as levelling up your skills.

This is a great opportunity to deepen the knowledge that you already have in your industry and role. It is more of an intentional process where you gain certifications through mentorship programs and upskill courses.

And, it is not an unknown phenomenon. People know about it and actively seek it out. McKinsey in its report suggests that 42% of the respondents in their survey expressed interest in upskilling or looking for upskill courses.

Also, Gen Z tends to be more aligned towards upskilling than Millennials. 63% Gen Z workers wanted to upskill, while 53% of Millennials showed a similar interest.

But why is Upskilling important? Let’s find out.

Why do Upskill Courses Matters?

• Tech Disruption: We are already aware of the role of AI, automation, and digital transformation in the workplace. So, upskilling lets you widen your knowledge as per the latest technological trends.

• Globalisation: Today, enterprises are looking to scale effectively. This means they want candidates who are well-versed in the emerging tech that is making an impact on a global scale. So, upskill courses can help you be that candidate.

• Transition: If you look at the job market, you will see that there are job roles in demand that didn’t even exist a decade ago. So, upskilling can help you transition to high-demand roles with ease.

• Career Advancement: Upskill courses can help you learn the in-demand skills and help you tap into great opportunities in your area of interest.

• Job Security: The market is saturated with emerging tech. So, if you can’t provide something unique to the companies, they will ignore your resume. But upskilling can help you push through that barrier and provide extensive job security.

• Individual Growth: Upskill courses help you build skills irrespective of your professional stage. It can instill confidence in you and make you adaptable in the workplace.

• Earning Potential: According to Forbes, 30% of financial decision makers see AI and automation to be their top concern. This means that they have an intention to boost investment in this arena. So, upskill courses can help you upskill in AI and automation, allowing you to increase your earning potential.

Now that we know how important upskill courses are, let’s look at the ways in which you can upskill yourself.

How to Upgrade Using Upskill Courses?

Upskilling is a great way to advance in your career. So, you need to determine the major areas to upskill.For that, you have to assess your existing skills and what you lack. In addition, you also have to identify the skills that can help you achieve your goals. These are some of the ways in which you can upskill.

1.Learn About Available Resources

There are some companies that sponsor your upskill courses. However, if you are looking to upskill after a career gap, you have to research the resources. You can find online courses or institutes providing job-oriented IT courses in your locality. This research can help you determine your options to start your journey.

2.Seek Relevant Courses

It doesn’t matter if you want to enrol in a Digital Marketing Course with AI or a React Native Course with AI; you have to seek reputed IT training institutes or online courses that have the relevant courses in your preferred field.

3.Earn Certificates

If you want to strengthen your credentials, you can enrol in an IT training certification course. These courses are more practical than non-certification courses. That’s because a certificate can give a glimpse of your additional experience in a particular area.

4.Work on Projects

It’s important to practice what you learn. So, enrolling in an IT institute that provides demo and live projects in their upskill courses, to gain practical experience of the theories you learn, can be extremely beneficial. This will hone your skills and make you identify your weaknesses. These demo projects will help you strengthen your CV and portfolio.

Does Upskilling Help in Bridging the Career Gap?

Yes, upskilling and upskill courses do help in bridging the career gap. While a career gap can be planned (personal reasons) or unplanned (economic and professional reasons), it is not the end of your career trajectory.

However, the first step before enrolling in upskill courses is identifying your skill gaps. Here are some ways through which you can identify it with ease:

• Self-Assessment: You have to reflect on your interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Identify what you loved about your previous jobs and what areas interest you.

• Research: You have to stay updated on the various industry trends and emerging technologies. This will help you identify the in-demand skills in your industry.

• Feedback: Seeking feedback from your acquaintance or friend can help you gain insights into your skill gaps.

Why Upskilling Matters After Career Gaps?

• Staying Updated and Relevant: Technologies and trends are evolving rapidly. So, upskill courses can help you align your skills with the market demand.

• Confidence Boost: It’s quite normal to be insecure about your skill sets after a career break. Gaining knowledge and learning new concepts can enhance your self-esteem. So, upskilling is a great way to get prepared for your industry, that too, in a confident way.

• Expanding Opportunities: Gaining relevant skills can help you tap into a large pool of opportunities and career paths. Upskill courses can help you gain such knowledge after a career gap.

Webskitters Academy: Your Upskilling and Reskilling Partner

The way of upskilling depends a lot on what you want to learn to further your career. This might include workplace skills, non-technical skills, or technical skills.

However, enrolling in upskill courses can benefit you greatly, especially after a career gap. It can boost your confidence and help you stay relevant in your industry. That’s because the technology that’s working today might not be relevant tomorrow.

In this age of AI and automation, upskilling should be a top priority for every professional.

Do you want to learn more about upskilling and upskill courses?

Book a call with the academic counsellors of Webskitters Academy and find the best possible way to upskill yourself.

FAQs

What is upskilling?

Upskilling is the process of learning new or advanced skills to stay relevant in your current role or industry.

Why is upskilling important in the age of AI?

Because automation and AI are reshaping jobs, making continuous learning essential to stay employable.

Can upskilling help me switch careers?

Yes, upskilling equips you with in-demand skills that make career transitions smoother and more achievable.

Does upskilling help bridge a career gap?

Absolutely. Upskilling updates your skills, boosts confidence, and improves your chances of re-entering the workforce.

What types of courses should I choose for upskilling?

Choose reputable courses or certifications that align with your career goals and industry trends.