Back to School – Contractor’s Edition: Upskilling for Independent Professionals

As the cool breeze of September sweeps in, it's not just students who should be gearing up for a fresh start. Independent professionals, also referred to as contractors, can benefit from a return to the learning mindset with the back-to-school season well and truly underway. Just like students need to acquire new knowledge to excel in their studies, independent professionals should continuously upskill to stay competitive and be adaptable in the ever-evolving job market.

So, this September, dust off your learning mindset, set your goals, and make a commitment to invest in your professional growth. In this blog, we'll explore what upskilling means for independent professionals, how often they should engage in it, and practical ways to do so.

What is Upskilling?

Upskilling is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, or certifications to enhance your professional capabilities. For independent professionals, this can mean keeping up with industry trends, mastering new technologies, or gaining additional qualifications to expand their service offerings. Upskilling is essential in a world where the business landscape is constantly changing.

How Often Should Independent Professionals Upskill?

The frequency of upskilling can vary depending on your industry and specific career goals, but here are some general guidelines we suggest in considering:

Make a 6 Month Goal: Make it a habit to set aside time every 6 months to evaluate your skills and identify areas where improvement is needed. This self-assessment can help you stay competitive and relevant.

When Technology Advances: In today's digital age, technology evolves rapidly. Independent professionals in tech-related fields and other that are impacted by this, should closely monitor industry and technological advancements and upskill as needed to stay ahead.

When Market Demands Change: Keep an eye on shifts in market demands. If there's a growing demand for certain skills or services, consider upskilling in those areas to tap into new opportunities.

When You Encounter Plateaus: If you find that your career has hit a plateau or you're not progressing as desired, upskilling can be the catalyst for growth. Learning new skills can open up doors to higher-paying projects and new career paths.

How can iPerks help you?

At Icon Accounting, our unwavering commitment lies in the success of our clients. That's precisely why we've introduced iPerks. Among its many features, one of the standout features of iPerks is its exclusive access to over 4,500 courses from leading educational institutions worldwide. These courses span a diverse spectrum of subjects, ensuring that you can easily discover the ideal resources to align with your professional and learning objectives. By utilizing the Learning features of iPerks, you have the invaluable opportunity to acquire fresh skills, remain current with prevailing industry trends, and expand your knowledge base — all without any financial burden.

Here's some of the current courses you can avail of on the platform:

Mathematics for Data Science: Essential Mathematics for Machine Learning and AI

A solid foundation in mathematical knowledge is crucial for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. If you haven't delved into mathematics since your school days and need a refresher, this introductory course is designed to equip you with the necessary upskilling. The course covers the three primary branches of mathematics used in data science and AI: linear algebra, calculus, and probability. You’ll get to learn the essential topics of each of these three areas and having mastered these concepts and techniques, you’ll have the foundational knowledge to kickstart your machine learning career.

Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques

This course is part of the Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate. Throughout this course, it will equip professionals with the tools to swiftly identify and resolve real-world problems that often arise in IT roles. The course explores various strategies and approaches for tackling the most common challenges related to code and IT infrastructure, with professionals building an understanding of how to approach nearly any technical issue and see how these methods apply to solving various real-world scenarios.

Modelling and Design for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360

As part of the Autodesk CAD/CAM/CAE for Mechanical Engineering Specialization, this course lays the groundwork for creating designs and delves deep into topics related to design control. From assembly joints and joint limits to crafting systems, you'll gain the assurance of designing robustly.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Innovations

This course, which is part of the Healthcare Marketplace specialization, provides an in-depth perspective on intellectual property creation's significance in fostering breakthrough technologies. The curriculum covers the strategies employed for drug and new technology pricing, along with exercises in market sizing to identify areas for future research and development investments.

In conclusion, the back-to-school season isn't just for students; independent professionals, or contractors, can also benefit immensely from embracing the learning mindset. In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving job market, upskilling is not merely an option but a necessity. At Icon Accounting, we're committed to our clients' success, and our iPerks program is designed to make upskilling accessible and convenient. For any questions or information you need on the iPerks system, feel free to contact the team at any stage – 01-8077106 and info@iconaccounting.ie, we’d be delighted to help in any way we can!