What makes up-skilling, multi-skilling, and cross-skilling different? They all explain ways to broaden your skill set, but each serves a unique and particular function that can help you advance in various ways.
In today’s blog post, we’ll look at what these terms mean, how to use them, and some professional development tips.
You probably already know that learning new skills is vital in advancing your career, but did you know that various skill development forms cater to various needs?
Up-skilling, multi-skilling, and cross-skilling all have their benefits to give you (and your resume!). Continue reading to learn more.
Up-skilling
This is either refining an existing skill or discovering a new part of that skill.
If you’re a budding chef, for example, and take our Mise en Place course, you’ll have revised your culinary skills to provide an in-depth understanding of mise en place techniques and activities. You’ve improved your skills in that area.
How would this help me at work?
This one should go without saying: the better you are at your job, the more valued you are by your coworkers and bosses, and the more likely you are to advance in your career.
Being highly skilled in one field allows you to gain a more holistic understanding of the task and its challenges and a better basis on which to confront those challenges.
Multi-skilling
This refers to acquiring skills in similar areas: developing a set of skills that complement one another, which, when used together, make you more productive and proficient at the task at hand.
If you’re a barista, for example, you might learn how to make cocktails.
How would this help me at work?
Since you’re skilled at more than one thing, having a broader range of similar skills can help you increase your job prospects and expand your opportunities.
It also helps you to be more creative with your key skill; for example, you might apply a technique learned from a cocktail recipe to a hot beverage recipe to make a fresh, exclusive drink for your place.
Cross-skilling
This is the process of integrating skills from various fields to become a more well-rounded professional. Cross-skilling will also help you see challenges from a different angle.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Everything looks like a nail to a hammer”? It explains how you solve issues when your talents are concentrated in one place – it’s difficult to break free from a mentality or pattern of doing things a certain way if you’re used to doing things a certain way.
However, if we change the hammer to dispense glue, the hammer can now solve problems in a new way. It can hammer in a nail or glue to hold things together: two different methods for solving different problems. This is a good example of cross-skilling.
For example, if you’re a bartender, knowing how different long drinks take to produce, your venue’s environmental practices, or food allergens can help you be a more attentive and autonomous worker who pays more attention to detail.
How would this help me at work?
The more conscious you are of something going on in your venue, regardless of your job status, the more you will be able to perform your duties.
This is valid for any role in any form of hospitality establishment: it means you can anticipate your coworkers’ needs, assist in developing creative ideas, and have a more seamless experience for your customers.
How to up-skill, multi-skill, or cross-skill using technique
Make a plan
Consider what you already know before deciding where you want to go. Do you have all of the skills you’ll need to get there? If this isn’t the case, consider up-skilling, cross-skilling, or multi-skilling.
Start thinking about skills as tools to help you determine what you want to prioritize right now. What prospects do you want to be available to you in the future? Consider what new skills you might develop to help you stand out from the crowd if you want to advance in your current profession.
Online classes are available.
By far, the easiest, versatile, and effective way to develop your skills in any field of hospitality is through online learning. You should make training work for you, not the other way around, whether you’re just dipping your toe in the water or ready to dive in headfirst.
You can access lessons at any time using an app, right from your smartphone. Are you taking a break and need to brush up on an ability before returning? Launch the program. It only takes five minutes, and you can do it whenever and wherever you want.
Practice makes better.
Last but not least, getting your hands dirty is the best way to strengthen an ability you’re working on while still demonstrating to bosses and employers that you’re willing to put in the effort.