What does reskilling mean?
Reskilling means learning, or being trained in, a new set of skills so that a person can move into a different occupation or take on a changed role. Unlike ordinary professional development, which often adds to abilities needed in the present job, reskilling usually prepares someone for work that may require a different occupational identity, such as moving from manufacturing into software support. The word is especially common in discussions of employment, adult education, and workforce policy, where technological or economic change can leave workers' existing abilities in less demand. It can describe the process itself, as in "a programme for reskilling displaced workers," or an activity, as in "the reskilling of nurses for technology roles." The related term upskilling generally emphasizes improvement or expansion of skills for one's existing field, while reskilling more strongly implies retraining for changed work. Though often used by institutions and employers, reskilling has also become a familiar concept in individual career-change discussions.
nounThe process of learning or being trained in new skills, especially in order to qualify for a different job or occupation. The term can also refer to a programme that provides workers with such training.
- The learning or retraining of people in new skills, particularly for a different occupation or an altered role.
"The college launched a reskilling programme for mid-career workers moving into renewable-energy roles."
"After years in retail, she pursued reskilling in user-experience design before seeking a new job."
"The government expanded reskilling opportunities for workers affected by the closure of the factory."
The plural is uncommon and is used when separate programmes, courses, or rounds of retraining are being discussed.
"Several reskillings have been offered to workers transitioning from declining industries."
Reskilling gives a career a second draft: new skills, new role, new direction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reskilling come from?
Reskilling is an English compound formed in the 20th century from re-, meaning "again," and skill, with the nominal ending -ing. The prefix re- comes from Latin re-, while skill continues the Old English lineage represented by scalc and its later derivatives. The occupational sense became particularly prominent in late-20th- and 21st-century discussions of workforce change, alongside related terms such as retraining and upskilling.
Related word forms
How reskilling is actually used
The term is especially common in employment, adult-education, and workforce-policy contexts. It can sound institutional when referring to government or corporate programmes, but it is also widely used in individual career-change discussions.
Easily confused with reskilling
Retraining is the broader process of teaching someone new skills, while reskilling usually implies preparing them for a substantially different occupation or role.
Upskilling generally emphasizes improving or expanding abilities for one's existing field, whereas reskilling more strongly suggests training for changed work.