I don't agree with this; "Efficient in their eyes, not yours"

This is probably one of the hardest things to do but; both you and the customer must think it's efficient. The customer will not always know what is efficient; which is why you have a job in the first place. You will not win the efficiency battle every time but the times you do will increase the confidence your management has in your team. Making you more valuable.

I do agree that not learning the skills will prove to risky in these times. Not knowing the skills will also make it harder to prove to management your way is more efficient than theirs.