Companies can tap into vast talent pools with unlimited geographic boundaries by promoting flexible, location-agnostic work arrangements. This increases access to top talent and fosters a more diverse workforce. On-site work requirements are the top reasons top talent doesn’t accept positions or leaves. Let me remind you of one of the great things about cloud computing: it’s in the cloud. You can do the work from anywhere.

I’m not advocating that employees never go to the office. However, I do believe that companies should consider location-agnostic work arrangements to create more attractive work situations and to gain access to talent that lives outside of the company’s immediate area, possibly in other states or countries. I’m something of a pioneer in the field of remote IT work. As an IT manager and executive, I learned early on the value of adapting the culture to this important employee benefit.

Invest in internal training and development

One of the most effective ways to address the skills gap is to cultivate internal talent. A great first step is to set up a dedicated in-house cloud learning center to provide employees with the continuing education they need to stay up to date on cloud technologies. Access to advanced courses, certifications, and hands-on training programs is essential. This not only improves the skills of current employees, but also demonstrates a commitment to their professional growth, which can significantly improve retention rates.