According to Manpower Company, to promote the effectiveness of cross-training while still ensuring good completion of KPI, workers should take advantage of cross-training by proactively participating in inter- department projects to have practical experience; supplement skills through appropriate short-term courses and workshops; record and present results on CVs or LinkedIn to increase persuasion.
At the same time, personnel proactively build internal networks, regularly learning from colleagues and managers. This not only helps you develop comprehensive skills but also increases attraction with employers.
To overcome these challenges, you should combine cross-training with coaching (training, support), establish a personalized career development roadmap, and discuss with management to allocate work appropriately.
Starting with small tasks before taking on a larger role also helps you gain confidence and maintain focus in the learning journey.
The role of businesses in cross-training
cross-training is only really effective when businesses have a clear strategy. An internal training program or transparent job rotation helps employees know their development goals. At the same time, integrating mentoring (knowledge sharing) and coaching helps workers not be overloaded when learning new skills.
More importantly, cross-training needs to be associated with talent development plans and personnel retention strategies. When employees are oriented towards promotion and see their value clearly, they will be more attached and contribute more to the organization. cross-training will help build a comprehensive workforce, ready to adapt and develop long-term.
Frequently asked questions about cross-training
1. What is the difference between cross-training and upskilling and reskilling?
Upskilling is improving existing skills to do better in the current role. Reskilling is learning a completely new skill to move on to another role.
Cross-training is in between: helping you expand your related skills, to be able to take on many different tasks in the same organization.
2. Does cross-training help you increase your income?
When you possess the ability to multi- tasks, the business will highly appreciate the value of your contribution and the value you bring. This often leads to opportunities for promotion, salary increase or bonus when you prove your flexibility and effectiveness.
3. Is cross-training suitable for all professions?
Yes. Whether you work in IT, manufacturing, finance, FMCG or cross-training services all bring benefits. The difference is only the additional skills you choose to develop, for example, software engineers studying project management, or sales staff studying marketing.
4. How long does it take to see the effectiveness of cross-training?
Usually, after 6 - 12 months, you can notice a clear difference in confidence, problem-solving ability and career opportunities. However, the results would be faster with a mentor and a clear roadmap.
5. Does cross-training affect work-life balance?
If you manage well, cross-training will not exhaust you. Instead, it helps you work more effectively by understanding many aspects of work. The important thing is that you need to have a plan, prioritize and know how to discuss with the manager to avoid being overloaded.
6. Where should you start cross-training?
Determine career goals (want to advance, want to change careers, or want to increase flexibility); discuss with managers to participate in interdisciplinary projects; supplement short-term skills through online courses or workshops; record results on your CV to prove your value to employers.
In short, according to Manpower Company, cross-training is not only a form of skill improvement, but also a strategy to help you build a sustainable career. When you actively participate in cross-training, you will become more flexible, confident in adapting to changes and making a difference in the eyes of employers.
