NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Patrick Tay was on Channel NewsAsia on 28 June 2017 to discuss the topic of creating the “future academy”. Also participating in the townhall-style forum were a live audience and three panelists from PSB Academy, Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group and LinkedIn Asia Pacific.
According to ASG Tay, industry disruptions, coupled with increasing white collars and mature workers, put Singapore at risk of structural unemployment, which is caused by mismatches in skills, jobs and expectations.
Quoting a survey that indicated up to 45 per cent of work activities can be automated, he said that Singaporeans are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution. While it is similar to two decades ago where things were being robotised, digitalised or mechanised, it is now happening at 20 times faster.
This makes ability, agility and adaptability the topmost in-demand soft skills. Institutions can stay relevant by developing speed-to-market programmes. Employers meanwhile, can tap on government schemes to send their employees for training. The two parties should also work closely to provide placement and internship opportunities.
Against the backdrop of globalisation, ASG Tay encouraged workers of all ages to break inertia and stay open-minded to new job opportunities provided by startups and small, family-owned enterprises too.
