Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) must stay abreast of technology and constantly upskill and reskill to stay relevant in the digital revolution, urged NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and Future Jobs, Skills and Training (FJST) Director Patrick Tay in his latest blog post on labourbeat.org.
“With the onslaught of the wave of digital and technology revolution, we can either sink or swim. In the very near future, a majority of job scopes would require some degree of ICT [information and communications technology] knowledge,” he said.
“PMETs should take the technology disruption bull by its horns by tapping on the various training and placement initiatives available, keeping relevant with the skills of the day and staying ready and resilient in the face of rapid change as the world forges ahead into unchartered waters,” said ASG Tay.
Challenges in ICT
With the increased adoption rate of technology, Singapore has bolstered a supply of ICT jobs, according to a recent survey by recruitment firm Robert Walters. However, in a pilot study done by the Future Jobs, Skills and Training department at NTUC, there seems to be a shortage of talent to take on these jobs.
ASG Tay added that the ICT sector faces challenges such as a mismatch in skills, technology changing faster than institutes of higher learning (IHLs) can keep up, and ensuring ICT professionals made redundant in sunset industries are equipped with deepened and relevant skills to be re-deployed in a new ICT job.
Tripartite Efforts
ASG Tay also urged tripartite partners to expand the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative to further close the job and talent gap in the ICT sector.
TeSA is a SkillsFuture initiative aimed at supporting ICT professionals and mid-career entrants to upgrade and acquire new and in-demand skills to stay competitive
Click here to read the full blog “Patrick Tay: Riding the Wave of Digital Revolution”.
