Regardless of your industry, Upskilling is a prudent choice at any stage of your career. In the United Kingdom, there remains a considerable shortage of digital skills, with technological advancements outpacing the ability of the workforce to acquire new skills. It is undeniable that digital skills are in high demand, as evidenced by Over 80% of job advertisements in the UK specifically requiring these skills.
McKinsey’s analysis reveals that the United Kingdom is currently utilising only 17% of its digital capabilities. This highlights the considerable hurdles that business leaders and workers will face due to the disruptions caused by digital technologies. As organisations strive to adapt to the rapid pace of digital transformation, marketing professionals have an opportunity to capitalise on the shortage of digital skills and protect the longevity of their careers.
Now is an opportune moment to consider expanding your range of marketing skills. The marketing sector in the United Kingdom offers promising prospects, employing approximately 415,000 individuals and contributing £36.5 billion to the economy annually. With the largest digital advertising market in Europe, there are ample opportunities for newcomers and experienced marketers who wish to explore different career paths. How can one secure the most desirable positions in this field? If you are in London, join London digital marketing recruitment agencies.
Advantages of Enhancing Skills for Business Growth
In the coming years, there will be a growing need for upskilling and reskilling to address the workforce skills gap. Many organisations are currently facing challenges in finding employees with the necessary skill sets for difficult-to-fill positions. Nearly half of businesses are experiencing a lack of agility due to this skills gap, and the increasing demand for digital skills will only aggravate the problem both now and in the future.
Workers in the marketing, digital, and communications sectors have the opportunity to alleviate this pressure and enhance their employability by acquiring new skills and updating their existing ones. They can actively contribute to their own professional growth and increase their chances of finding employment.
In light of continuous workplace digitalization and the advent of new technologies, there are bound to be prospects for progress and advancement. Surveys indicate that approximately 60% of employees believe that technology will enhance their career prospects. However, it is concerning that only a third of the workforce is provided with opportunities to develop digital skills beyond their regular responsibilities. Therefore, if you find yourself in a position where you desire to expand your knowledge and capabilities but lack employer support, what steps can you take to independently enhance and diversify your skill set?
Enhance Your Skills: Unlock Your Potential
While savvy employers should have plans for upskilling and reskilling in place, this is not true of all organisations and does not reflect the many self-employed marketing professionals who must take upskilling into their own hands. If you’re taking a proactive approach to your professional development, the following suggestions may help:
Discover Budget-Friendly Training and Certification Programs
In the United Kingdom, there is a wide range of training and certification programs specifically designed for marketers. These programs cater to different needs and preferences, offering options such as university degrees as well as convenient online courses that are available for free or at a reasonable cost. If you have the financial resources or if your employer is willing to assist you in funding your training, there are reputable online platforms like the Institute of Data and Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Marketing that provide excellent mid-range options for qualification and skill enhancement in the marketing field.
Digital marketing experts can benefit from seeking training and certification through Google. It is highly recommended to complete both the Google Analytics and Google Ads programs. The Google Analytics Academy offers courses for beginners and advanced users, which include Google Tag Manager training. This is advantageous for individuals working in the field of digital marketing. On the other hand, Google Adwords is particularly aimed at pay-per-click (PPC) specialists and independent consultants. Google’s free Skillshop platform provides access to Analytics, Ads, and other valuable resources.
Hubspot Academy provides a variety of free marketing courses for individuals looking to enhance their skills in areas such as inbound marketing, content marketing, social media, and email marketing. These courses are designed to be concise and easily digestible, making it convenient for individuals to learn new skills or refine existing ones. While they may not delve deeply into the subjects, they offer valuable knowledge and can contribute to personal and professional growth.
Stay Informed with Reputable Sources
In the fast-paced world of marketing, it is crucial for marketers to stay up to date with the ever-evolving trends, advancements, emerging technologies, and best strategies in order to remain competitive. A great starting point is the internet, where numerous websites like Digital Agency Network, Marketing Land, The Drum, PRWeek, and Marketing Week offer a wealth of industry news and expert analysis. Additionally, Neil Patel provides valuable insights and a range of tools to assist SEO consultants and other marketers in optimising their digital marketing efforts. Make sure to bookmark these resources and regularly check them for the latest updates.
If you have a knack for learning through listening, podcasts can provide a wealth of valuable marketing insights and discussions. One notable podcast, Duct Tape Marketing, features interviews with highly knowledgeable industry experts. Another podcast, Copyblogger.FM, takes an interview approach to educate individuals on various topics such as conversion rate optimization, email marketing, social media marketing, and copywriting.
Delve into the World of Mentoring
If your organisation lacks the financial resources for training and development, it doesn’t mean you can’t acquire new knowledge and skills. Engaging in mentorship programs or job shadowing opportunities can be highly valuable in providing practical insights into different roles. This can take the form of structured and formal arrangements or more casual and spontaneous interactions. If you’re interested in acquiring digital skills, consider requesting to spend a few hours with a web developer or programmer. Similarly, individuals seeking to tap into their creative potential may find it more beneficial to have a session with a graphic designer or animator, rather than spending hours on online research.
Mentors can be found beyond the boundaries of your organisation. You may contemplate reaching out to individuals in your industry whom you admire, or inquire with your employer, peers, or friends if they can suggest someone who would be willing to mentor you.
Based on our market report for 2020, more than half of the marketers, specifically 57%, have engaged in training or acquiring new skills in the previous year. The most widely adopted approach was attending events and seminars, with online training courses and employer-led training programs following closely behind.
Which Marketing Skills Are Currently Highly Sought-After?
Now that you have gained knowledge on how to enhance your skills, it is important to determine which areas will have the greatest impact on your career opportunities. Considering the increasing digital skills gap, focusing on this area is a logical starting point. A staggering 75% of job openings across all levels now require digital skills. By possessing specialised digital skill sets such as data analysis, digital design, CRM, and digital marketing, not only can individuals reduce the risk of job automation, but they can also significantly improve their chances of career advancement.
To summarise, the following abilities are highly sought after by marketing teams throughout the country.
- Content marketing
- Data and analytics
- Conversion rate optimization
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Pay-Per Click (PPC)
- Brand Development
- Customer Insight
- Communications
Marketing experts aiming to secure top positions in the industry should give due consideration and enhance their skills in any of the aforementioned areas. Discover your next marketing job by acquiring specialised skills. Developing expertise in this field not only leads to higher salaries and daily rates but also positively impacts your career and the overall industry.
