Despite technological changes, the worry for a small country like Singapore is not a shortage of jobs, but a shortage of skills.
The key challenge to helping workers transition into jobs of the future depends on continuous education, with a critical focus on how quickly workers can pick up new skills and apply them in the workplace.
NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing shared this with 350 attendees at the third edition of the annual U Associate Convention held on 11 July 2017 at the NTUC Centre with the theme ‘Digitalize. Transform. Innovate’.
Job Fit
SG Chan shared that NTUC U Associate will be working with institutes of higher learning to develop ‘just-in-time’ modules and pilot them with some U Associates. They will also be working with organisations like LinkedIn to better match people, skills and jobs.
“Service to members is not just about protection and privileges but about progression and placement,” he said.
He added that the key to success in the future lies beyond mastering technology and skills, or in offering services. It is about giving Singaporeans the trust and assurance that they can compete for jobs both locally and globally.
“If we all take a collective perspective, that it is our responsibility to help our workers transit into new career opportunities, it will make for a strong Singapore,” he said.
