Upskilling vs. reskilling: Which is important for your career journey?

Job hunters may need to upskill and reskill to make themselves strong candidates in the modern job market. Learn about the differences between the terms, and find a course on edX to help you upskill or reskill.

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By: Shelby Campbell, Edited by: Valerie Black

Published: October 27, 2025

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Upskilling and reskilling: Why it matters

As technological and economic transformations disrupt the job market, workers must find ways to adapt. In a 2025 edX survey, 62% of respondents reported that AI advancements are prompting them to consider upskilling or reskilling to remain competitive in the job market.

Additionally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) projects in its 2025 Future of Jobs report that 59% of workers will need to upskill or reskill by 2030 to remain employed either in their current roles or in a new role, and 85% of employers report that they plan on upskilling their workforces during the 2025-30 period.

Upskilling

Upskilling is gaining advanced skills to further your career in your current field or role.

Reskilling

Reskilling is gaining the necessary skills to enter a new field or role.

Benefits of upskilling

If you're ready to advance your career, upskilling isn't just helpful — it's a necessity. The 2025 WEF report projects that 39% of workers' skill sets will shift or become outdated between 2025 and 2030.

As a result, people who want to continue their career paths, earn promotions or higher-paying roles, and navigate job market uncertainty should seek opportunities for professional development.

Many people who upskill for career advancement earn management and leadership skills in online upskilling courses to ensure they can lead a team of industry specialists. In fact, edX research shows that 72% of managers are actively upskilling.

Some workers may also upskill to widen the scope of their existing skill sets and provide a company with further value. For example, someone in software development may upskill by learning several programming languages to be able to oversee different types of projects.

Benefits of reskilling

As the AI revolution continues to transform industries, many workers are reading the writing on the wall: Their industry may not have as many opportunities for growth as it did earlier in their careers. In the same edX survey, around 75% of tech workers said they must begin upskilling or reskilling in the next six months to stay employed.

For some workers, reskilling may involve preparing for a new industry that requires overlapping skills with their current field. For others, it may involve finding an entirely new direction for their careers. Either way, reskilling programs for career change can help you qualify for jobs in growing industries with a high demand for qualified employees.

For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that job openings for computer programmers will decrease by 10% from 2023-33. By reskilling to navigate this uncertainty, computer programmers can transition into industries like cybersecurity, which the BLS projects will grow by 33% during the same period.

How to decide if you need to upskill or reskill

Whether you should upskill or reskill depends on your industry, role, experience, career goals, and ability to commit to professional development opportunities like online upskilling courses. Consider the following scenarios to help you determine which is best for your career:

Upskill if you:

You dream of running your own business in your field
You want a promotion at your company
You're a physical therapist's assistant who wants to become the office manager at your practice
You're a manager who has excelled during projects, so you want to become a project manager
You thrive in specialist positions but lack soft skills like communication and adaptability

Reskill if you:

You've experienced several layoffs while working in your field
You're a teacher hoping to break into human resources
You want to earn more money than is possible in your current field
You're in manufacturing, and your plant intends to automate more of the work process, and you want to become the person who automates these machines to avoid layoffs
You've been told in several interviews that you're overqualified, but you still can't seem to land roles in your field

Reskilling vs. continuing education

Reskilling and continuing education are different types of professional development opportunities.

Reskilling is necessary if you want to shift away from your current industry.
Continuing education is a type of upskilling, often required for employment in industries like accounting, healthcare, and architecture.

Continuing education emphasizes staying up-to-date with advancements in research, technology, and regulations in your specific industry. Many licensing boards require a certain number of continuing education hours per year for professionals to maintain their certifications and employment in the industry.

Reskilling may be necessary to transition into a new career path, but it may not be a technical requirement for entering a role, unlike continuing education.

Frequently asked questions about upskilling and reskilling

Are there any cons to upskilling or reskilling?

No, professional development almost always benefits the learner. While you should consider whether you have the time to devote to upskilling and reskilling, it can help you land a new role after a layoff, find a higher-paying role, improve your work performance, or make you stand out for promotions.

Can you upskill and reskill at the same time?

Yes, it's possible to upskill and reskill simultaneously because many skills are applicable across industries.

For example, people who take steps to become managers often learn change management. These skills can help folks break into management in their current field or another one entirely, meaning that they're simultaneously upskilling and reskilling.

How can a human resources professional use reskilling or upskilling to improve the company?

Human resource departments can invest in reskilling and upskilling their workers to reduce the need for further hiring. According to a 2024 Gallup report, replacing a manager can cost companies around 200% of their salary. Therefore, nurturing employees to take on more responsibilities and eventually become leaders costs less and retains institutional knowledge.

Why are upskilling and reskilling crucial?

Upskilling and reskilling are critical because employment and job markets aren't static — they change with economic pressures, technological advances, and business trends.

When employees experience these impacts, adapting to the new circumstances by up- and reskilling is the only way to stay employed and earn more money.