Definition

Corporate HR-speak for teaching employees new abilities they'll need because their current jobs are being automated or eliminated. It's the gentle way of saying "learn this or become obsolete," usually delivered with a cheerful smile and a mandatory training module. Companies love upskilling because it sounds proactive and employee-focused, even when it's just delaying the inevitable restructuring.

Example Usage

The company offered upskilling programs to help workers transition to new roles, which was thoughtful considering those were the only roles not being outsourced.

Source: Common HR and corporate terminology

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