reskilling

Definition

Training employees in entirely new skill sets to prepare them for different roles, usually because their current job is being automated or eliminated. It's the corporate way of saying 'your job is obsolete, but we like you enough to keep you around.'

Example Usage

They're reskilling factory workers as software developers, which will definitely work out great with six weeks of training.

Origin

Became prominent during Industry 4.0 discussions in the 2010s

Fun Fact

Reskilling differs from upskilling in that it prepares workers for completely different roles rather than enhanced versions of current ones, though HR often uses them interchangeably.

Source: Workforce transformation and future of work literature

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