improve skill sets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improve skill sets" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the enhancement or development of abilities or competencies in a particular area. Example: "Our training program is designed to help employees improve skill sets that are essential for their career advancement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A host of new training initiatives have been launched, mostly as collaborations between universities, commercial units and the CIfA, aiming to improve skill sets, raise standards and encourage people into the profession.

The Guardian

Start by evaluating the capabilities across your HR organization to understand where you still need tactical people, and where it's possible to hire or improve skill sets to fill new roles that demand superior people skills.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The results are meant to evoke the freelance activities — and improving skill set — of an anonymous postwar photographer who frequented crime scenes and sports events; accepted portrait, newspaper and advertising assignments; and documented magic tricks.

The New York Times - Arts

The Penn victories shone the light on Edgar's improved skill-set and ability to carry out fool-proof game plans, while stunning performances against Maynard cast the new champion as one of the most thrilling commodities in all of combat sports.

Huffington Post

Training should also be focused on making managers better, rather than simply aiming to improve clinical skill sets.

Human Resources for Health

It was my dream to be an alumni of Columbia Business School and improve my skill sets in Leadership and Strategy.

Columbia University

Eligible Cornell employees, with agreement from department management, may enroll in a degree program at Cornell to improve and/obtain skill sets to enhance their job performance.

Cornell University

Many companies both large and small provide educational opportunities and training to help employees learn a new computer program, improve their skill sets or expand their knowledge about a new policy or procedure.

Forbes

Cross training to other departments is a way to tackle manpower shortage & at the same time, improve the skill sets of our staff so they can be deployed to different departments or are able to have a better idea of the hospitality business.

Forbes

The National Skills Academy for Health NSA Apprenticeship Training Agencycy, which was set up last September, aims to improve skills training across the sector.

The Guardian

Corporate funding that helps expand our publicly owned lands, protect our historic legacy and connect young urbanites to the parks while improving their skill sets and economic outlook - these are gifts I did not expect this season.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing training programs, use "improve skill sets" to emphasize the practical benefits for participants. For example, "This workshop is designed to improve skill sets in data analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "improve skill sets" in highly formal documents like legal contracts; opt for more formal alternatives such as "enhance competencies" or "develop expertise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improve skill sets" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase. It typically describes the action of enhancing or developing a range of abilities or competencies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "improve skill sets" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the act of enhancing one's abilities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s widely used across news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of your writing; in highly formal documents, alternatives like "enhance competencies" may be more appropriate. Remember, enhancing existing skills rather than obtaining new ones is the key focus when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhance competencies

Focuses on making existing competencies better.

develop expertise

Suggests a more in-depth growth of knowledge and skill.

sharpen skill sets

Emphasizes refining and perfecting existing skills.

build capabilities

Implies creating new abilities or expanding existing ones.

hone talents

Highlights the refinement of natural abilities.

advance proficiency

Indicates progress toward a higher level of competence.

cultivate strengths

Suggests nurturing and developing inherent strengths.

expand skill base

Focuses on increasing the overall range of skills.

refine skill portfolio

Suggests improving a collection of skills.

boost aptitude

Emphasizes enhancing a natural inclination or talent.

FAQs

What's a good way to use "improve skill sets" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe educational opportunities and training programs that help employees learn new skills, or to indicate personal goals. For example, "Eligible Cornell employees may enroll in a degree program to improve skill sets to enhance their job performance."

What are some alternatives to "improve skill sets"?

You can use alternatives like "enhance competencies", "develop expertise", or "sharpen skills", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "improve skill set" or "improve skill sets"?

While "improve skill set" is grammatically correct when referring to a single set of skills, "improve skill sets" is appropriate when discussing the enhancement of multiple, distinct skill collections. In most contexts, the plural form is more common.

How does "improve skill sets" differ from "acquire new skills"?

"Improve skill sets" focuses on enhancing existing skills, while "acquire new skills" emphasizes learning entirely new abilities.