With artificial intelligence tools and remote work opportunities becoming more widely integrated into the workforce, the need to upskill and prepare employees for new changes becomes ever more important — and this is a trend that will persist in the coming years.
To address employee career development challenges, Workday, a provider of human capital management software, is taking a unique approach. According to a report published by Fortune, the company has introduced a “gig” system within its career hub platform — allowing employees to take on short-term assignments that align with their interests and desired skill sets.
This initiative is Workday’s response to changes in the workforce and the growing need for continuous employee reskilling. Since its rollout in 2019, it’s reported that over 3,500 Workday employees have engaged in these gigs. The gigs range from small projects taking up 10% of their time to substantial roles comprising half of their workload.
Workday’s program is designed to provide unique flexibility and personalization in an employee’s career development. The gig system also uses machine learning technology to assist employees by suggesting suitable gigs based on the skills employees want to learn or build upon.
It’s reported by Fortune that the gig system has led to increased internal mobility and positive employee sentiment regarding career growth at Workday. Notably, internal movement at the company is reported to be nearly 50% higher for gig participants — with over a third receiving promotions.
The internal success of Workday’s upskilling program suggests that company-wide gig work and personalized career development opportunities are viable solutions to upskilling challenges. It represents a unique take on how companies view employee growth, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more tailored and agile method. This success these kinds of approaches to career development could influence strategies for companies aiming to retain top talent.
