The new interactive learning hub offers upskilling initiatives, career advice and other resources.
Workplace Upwork announces the launch of: Upwork Academyan educational hub designed to help professionals build their independent business.
The Great Resignation has led many Americans to abandon traditional jobs in favor of positions that allow them to work remotely. According to CNBC, the trend of workers leaving their jobs is unlikely to end anytime soon, with some experts predicting the end of job loyalty. in a recent study by Microsoft, a surprising 52% of Gen Z and millennials said they would likely consider changing jobs this year, up 3% from 2021.
Many of these employees will not switch to another full-time staffing job, but will switch to freelance work. A recent Upwork study found that 59 million Americans — about 36% of the total U.S. workforce — were performing some type of skilled freelance work in 2021.
TO SEE: The most in-demand skills for freelancers in 2022 (Tech Republic)
Upwork Academy launches
Employees considering taking up freelance work may find the change frightening or isolating. Upwork Academy was founded to meet the needs of these workers, with a variety of upskilling resources, mentorship and educational opportunities to help freelancers build their brands and businesses. The Academy includes the release of 11 on-demand educational courses on how to take advantage of the platform’s burgeoning freelance opportunities. In addition, it offers the opportunity to connect with the Upwork community.
“Most people who come to Upwork for the first time are new to freelancing,” said Francis Murphy, vice president of community at Upwork. “It’s not the same as being part of a company, where you’ve applied, you’ve got the job, and the company takes you through the first steps. Upwork Academy is our way of doing that for freelancers.”
Upwork Academy offers courses on topics such as creating a profile and submitting proposals. Upwork also introduces Academy coaching cohorts, designed to help users succeed. Upwork Skills certification is now included in the Upwork Academy. It includes skills assessments, test prep materials, and opt-in certifications for web, mobile, software development and design, and creative.
“We are seeing an increasing demand for new skills in the technology sector, the development sector and for IT professionals,” said Murphy. “We know that these skills are always in demand from companies around the world. We want to make sure that the talented people on our platform represent all those sectors. At launch, we’ll let users verify their development skills through certifications. There are north of 20 different mobile web development certifications. When our customers look at these professionals, they see that they are certified by Upwork.”
TO SEE: Tech workers are not getting the upskilling they need during the pandemic, report says (Tech Republic)
Revamped community platform and content
Upwork’s new initiative includes a complete redesign of the Upwork community, including a new homepage, updated forums, and features to increase functionality and scalability. The company also plans to launch the Career Path Database by the end of the quarter. It features photos, videos, and audio of personal stories that illustrate the roads people took to get to their various careers. Guides and worksheets help users achieve their goals.
“Upwork is a unique tool and opportunity for every person who uses it. The new offerings in Community are designed to meet those unique needs—education, discussion, thought leadership, and more,” said Murphy. “Our community was positioned as a support channel for a long time. While we are still here to help, we now offer much more through content, connection and community building.”
Tips for freelancers
Murphy offers tips for freelancers looking to build a successful career. He emphasizes the importance of a good profile. “The profile is the window to the many clients we have on Upwork, from small businesses looking to hire one time to our corporate clients, who are some of the largest companies in the United States and the world,” he said.
It is also crucial to draft a convincing proposal. “Some members of the Upwork community say, ‘I send all these proposals and I get nothing in return.’ Sometimes you just need that little bit of guidance to make the right thing,” he said.
Murphy emphasizes being specific because people who hire freelancers are looking for certain skills. “If you have a niche in your industry, whether you’re in an industry as broad as mobile development or web development, what is your specific niche? What do you offer that other people don’t?”
New Community Groups and Events
Upwork will roll out more than 20 community groups that the company says will be “collaborative and celebratory places for the community to connect, learn and grow across themes of identity, industry, interest and impact.” These include location-based groups from countries such as the United States, the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya, Egypt, Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Germany, with more planned later this year. Other new additions include an event hosting platform, a Community Event series, interactive workshops and an Upwork LIVE Support for Talent in Ukraine event.
To celebrate the release of Academy, Upwork is hosting a virtual event on June 7 at 9 a.m. PDT. It will explain Upwork’s new on-demand talent resource and discuss the enhanced Community experience for independent professionals.
