The world of work has changed significantly in the last 20 or 30 years, and again during the current recession. No one can expect a job for life anymore, working your way up the organisation until you retire at 65 with a gold clock and a final salary pension.

In today’s world many companies are themselves bidding for work which is outsourced, and are under pressure to keep staff numbers tight, to remain competitive and win contracts.

When they win a contract they must set about finding suitably skilled and trained staff, normally via recruitment agencies, and often at short notice. They will often take staff on as contractors, rather than as permanent staff, utilising them as and when they need them.

So employers do not have the time or the motivation to nurture skills in employees. The employer has no interest in developing the skills of temporary workers. They need them to be “work ready” when the posts are advertised.Employees need to take control of that themselves.

If employees want to win work of a technical nature, such as ITC work, or data communications, they must take responsibility for their own continued professional development, ensuring they develop new portable skills that are of use to organisations that have contracts to fulfil.

So- are your skills up to date? If not, then you probably need to take some action yourself. Your ability to get or keep a position in this environment could depend on your ability. So to make an application good value to the employer, you need to get your skills and knowledge up to speed.

To see how you would measure up in the market place, ask yourself

• Do I have industry specific qualifications?
• Are they up to date?
• What professional development have I undertaken?
• Have I attended any in-house courses?
• What about workshops, or webinars
• Have I been to any conventions or conferences?
• Can I demonstrate the practical application of my studies in my work and on my CV or resume?
• Have I received any industry recognition or award?
• Have I been asked to speak at any engagements, write in any publications?

If the answer to these questions indicates that some effort is required from you identify any opportunities that you can to make amends. Look out for courses, conferences and seminars that you could attend on your companies’ behalf.

This should enhance your contribution to your company and help to ensure your position is secure in difficult times.

Or maybe you need to invest in yourself.If you are self-employed or unemployed it is likely that you regularly evaluate your skills and abilities against those in demand in the market place. You may identify learning and development gaps, and may decide to undertake formal or informal training to close those gaps and ensure your skills are relevant and up to date.

So review your CV or resume with a critical eye, viewing it from an employee’s point of view, and bolster your skills with relevant and in demand skills and qualifications.