Learning doesn’t stop with a degree or past work experience.
However, not all of us have the ability to go back to school full-time.
Thankfully, there’s a wide range of alternative options! In recent years, the Singaporean government has helped create and endorse lifelong learning programs to help graduates and current employees improve their skill sets and stay in line with the constantly changing global economic, business, and technological environment we live in today.
What are some of these programs, and how can you benefit from them?
To find out, keep on reading…
4 Upskilling Options in Singapore
Generally, there are four ways:
- Online Courses
- Educational Institutions
- Government Schemes
- Big Tech Initiatives
1) Online courses
Online learning has become the most popular global upskilling method in the past few years.
In fact, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the global online upskilling market was expected to reach $350 billion by 2025.
The reasons for online learning’s popularity are as follows:
- Participants can study at their own pace
- It offers flexible timings so that current students and employees can fit their upskilling activities into their busy schedules
- Enrolled students can participate in the courses anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection.
- It is low cost—sometimes even free of cost.
- Many online courses are offered by reputable educational institutions, so their certifications hold credibility among employers.
Our course listicles list a few online course options you can check out, and you’ll find them under the Level Up section!
2) Educational Institutions
Many colleges and universities across the globe have begun to offer short, stackable credentials that do not require a full-time curriculum or long years of study.
Our educational institutions in Singapore provide a variety of certificates, micro-credentials, and digital badges to both fresh graduates and those already employed in the workforce. Here are two of the many!
NTU offers a MiniMasters program for alumni and working adults to build more micro-credentials and foster a lifelong learning mindset that is congruent with Singapore’s growing economy.
This joint initiative is a skill-based university program that offers industry-recognized qualifications for technical positions.
The unique feature of this initiative is the real-life, hands-on learning it offers via SAP products and other work-related training and experiences.
3) Government Schemes
As mentioned before, the Singapore government takes a keen interest in upskilling the country’s workforce to meet the demands of the digital age and supply the country’s growing economy and job market with highly skilled workers.
Since 2016, the Singaporean government has offered a $500 credit for skills development and lifelong learning for all Singaporeans aged 25 and up.
The main government upskilling initiative is called SkillsFuture and has partnerships with several institutions that offer upskilling and reskilling programs and courses.
If you would like to read more about what SkillsFuture has to offer and their government funding and assistance schemes, please refer to the two resources below:
The main website for Singapore’s national movement of lifelong learning, upskilling, and reskilling.
4) Big Tech Initiatives
Technology may make some jobs obsolete but, at the same time, creates more roles that require new skills.
The problem, however, is that a large percentage of the workforce does not currently possess the new skills needed to fit the new job roles created by new technology.
56 percent of employers in Singapore find it hard to fill job vacancies due to skill gaps.
With such technological skill deficiencies in the workplace, it would make sense for Big Tech companies who are largely responsible for creating such deficiencies to offer some form of technical skills training and certification programs to fill the country’s skills gap.
The good news is they have already begun this process and are trying very hard to close the gap by offering some innovative programs to support Singapore’s Smart Nation agenda.
Below you will find a list of some of the biggest names in technology along with their special upskilling initiatives specifically designed for Singaporeans looking for jobs that require a degree of modern-day technical aptitude.
This private-public sector collaboration between Microsoft and the Singapore government aims to minimize the gap between hard and soft skills by supplying the necessary training and qualifications that will make participants fit for employment.
Upskill with Facebook Singapore consists of four digital marketing certifications which are open to students, employees, job seekers, businesses, and working professionals looking to further their skills in the digital marketing field.
A vocational and on-the-job training program that builds in-demand skills for Singaporeans interested in Cloud Technology and Digital Marketing.
Conclusion
Upskilling is no longer an option but a necessity for workers seeking employment or trying to maintain their current employment status within Singapore.
This is precisely why there are so many options for upgrading and learning new skills within the country.
If you now realize the significance of what upskilling can do for your future growth and employment status, don’t wait! Start upskilling now, or pick up anything that interests you. You never know when your newfound knowledge will come in handy!