Upskilling and reskilling: how to reinvent your career in times of change

We live in an era in which professions, tools and even languages change at a speed that once seemed unimaginable. What you master today may be obsolete tomorrow. But rather than being a threat, this context becomes an opportunity to reinvent ourselves. This is where two concepts—already part of the professional vocabulary of our time—enter the picture: upskilling and reskilling.

Both embody that willingness to keep learning, to enhance what you already know or to start from scratch if necessary. It isn’t just about accumulating courses or certificates, but about sustaining your curiosity, about not standing still when the world is moving forward. Because in a job market where artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation are reshaping everything, your capacity to learn quickly and adapt is just as valuable as accumulated experience.

At Planeta Formación y Universidades this philosophy is more than a trend; it’s a way of understanding the future of learning. Upskilling and reskilling are the tools that allow us to keep growing when the environment changes.

What are upskilling and reskilling and why are they trending?

Every time the job market shifts—and it’s doing so faster than ever—new words emerge to describe how we adapt. Among them, upskilling and reskilling have become two of the most frequently heard.

In essence, upskilling involves acquiring new skills to continue growing within the role you already hold. On the other hand, reskilling goes a step further: it involves learning something different in order to change career direction and move into a new role—or even a different sector. Both reflect the same reality: it is no longer sufficient to have a degree or specific experience; what matters now is your ability to keep learning and adapting.

Upskilling: enhance your profile to shine in your current role

Upskilling is like updating your career’s operating system. You don’t change profession, but you improve what you do in order to stay relevant. For example: If you work in marketing and decide to learn data-analysis tools; or if you’re a nurse and train in new healthcare technologies—you are in the middle of an upskilling process. This ongoing improvement helps you to be more efficient, maintain your value within the company and, above all, feel ready for what’s coming.

Reskilling: the path to adapt and open yourself up to new professions

Reskilling serves a different purpose than upskilling. What is it about? It’s about reinventing yourself in your professional career. Your current job might be evolving—or even disappearing—due to automation or digitalisation. Reskilling gives you the tools to learn something entirely new and open fresh doors. Many professionals in traditional sectors have gone through it: administrative staff who trained in digital management, technicians who retrained to maintain automated systems, or journalists who learned programming and data analysis.

Difference between reskilling and upskilling: which one do you need now?

The key question is: Do you want to improve what you’re already doing, or do you want to change course?

If your job still has a future, but you see new tools or knowledge that would benefit you to master, upskilling is the route.

If, on the other hand, your sector is being transformed and your tasks are losing relevance, reskilling enables you to reorient yourself before the change catches up with you.

Why is it vital to invest in upskilling and reskilling?

The impact of automation, AI, and digital transformation

The way we work is changing. Artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics are erasing repetitive tasks and creating jobs that didn’t even exist a few years ago. According to World Economic Forum, nearly half the skills we use at work today will be different within less than five years. That means knowing how to learn is essential.

How to become the professional every company is looking for

Companies are not looking for people who know everything, but for people who are eager to keep learning. A profile that’s up to date, curious and flexible becomes a genuine asset. That is why those who invest time in training, staying current and exploring new areas are those who find the most opportunities. Learning doesn’t just provide more job options; it also gives you the freedom to choose.

If you’re thinking of taking the next step, here you can explore our training programmes designed precisely so that any professional—regardless of where they start—can update or reinvent their profile based on the new demands of the market.

How to know if you need a reskilling or upskilling plan

Signs your professional profile needs to evolve

There are clear signs. If you feel you’re always doing the same thing, your job no longer challenges you, or the tools you use are becoming outdated, it’s time to move. Also, if you see new technologies or processes arriving in your company that sound like jargon to you.

Lack of motivation, detachment from your industry or stagnant wages can also be warning signs. Recognising them early allows you to act before the wave sweeps you away.

How to analyze your industry, skills and opportunities

The first step is to make an honest diagnosis. Look at what skills are in demand in your sector and what you already possess. Platforms like LinkedIn and job boards show what skills companies are looking for and which ones are currently high-demand. Then analyse what kind of training suits you: is it better to reinforce what you already know (upskilling), or to change your skills altogether (reskilling)?

Having a clear start and destination will save time and help you design a realistic learning plan.

Strategies to boost your reskilling or upskilling

• Design a training plan tailored to your goals. Define what you want to learn and then ask yourself: Why? This isn’t about taking random courses, but building a roadmap.
• Online courses, bootcamps, master’s degrees. Today there are flexible options for every kind of profile: from short, practical programmes to more profound training that allows you to completely reinvent yourself.
• Keys to staying motivated and tracking your progress. Continuous learning can be demanding. Mark milestones, celebrate progress and apply what you’ve learned as soon as possible. Practice is what turns theory into real advancement.

Conclusion

Learning is no longer a stage; it’s a way of being in the world. That is why upskilling and reskilling aren’t just buzzwords: they are the compass that guides you forward when the terrain shifts. You don’t need all the answers—you only need the curiosity to keep asking questions and the courage to take the next step.

At Planeta Formación y Universidades we understand that continuous learning is not just a professional tool, but an attitude towards life.