Job security is one of the most coveted assets and man or woman can have in the current economy. With many people unemployed, under-employed, or shakily employed, everyone is asking how they can be more secure in their current jobs. How are you different from your co-workers? How can make sure you aren’t the next to be laid off?

There are some good strategies to help you achieve job security through proper job training.

Before you begin looking at how secure your personal job is, ask yourself how secure your line of work is. Does your company produce something that is in demand consistently? Or does it provide a service that is always needed? If the answer to these questions is no, you may be in the wrong job field. Keep in mind that in times of economic hardship all the jobs associated with luxury services and products are potentially at risk, regardless of how good your training is. If you are in a high risk industry then you might want to think about retraining completely to get a totally different job.

But for the purpose of this article, let’s assume that you are employed by a company that is stable and provides something that is needed by consumers on a consistent basis. How do you stay on top of your game so you are valuable to the company?

The most important thing you can do is keep your skills up to date. Some companies provide training for this. And, if they do, take advantage of it. Regardless, you should consider it your responsibility to stay current on technology, and other factors that effect your job. One man was fired from his current position for refusing to adapt to use email instead of the inter-office mailing system. This story sounds ridiculous and it is an extreme case, but it clearly illustrates the fact that in today’s world, you keep up or you get left behind, period.

Also, you must stay current with any certifications required for your job. Even if you have to pay for recertification out of pocket, you need to have the required credentials to fill your position.

Lastly, keep your ear to the ground in your company. Make sure that you are consistently aware not only of your own work but also of what is going on around you. Make sure your skills are up-to-date.

Of course, none of these things can 100% guarantee job security, but they will significantly increase your chances of not getting hit in the next round of layoffs.