Future Jobs in Singapore, What Jobs Will Stay Relevant in the Next Ten Years?

Finally, what is the key to future jobs in Singapore?

As stated on the World Economic Forum by Gog Soon Joo, the Chief Skills Officer at SkillsFuture Singapore, the key of Singapore’s future workforce is skill. It means there needs to be an emphasizing system that allows Singaporeans to develop reskilling and upskilling. In fact, the whole world is facing a reskilling emergency and this situation forces both companies and individuals to not fall behind.

Reskilling is the process of learning new skills for different jobs within the same organization. Meanwhile, upskilling is the process of teaching employees new skills, usually the advanced one to close the skill gap in the organization. In order to understand the two terms better, here is a table to distinguish between reskilling and upskilling.

Reskilling	Upskilling
To create versatile employee	To create specialized employee
Make employee adapt to different job within the organization	Make employee learn totally new skills to optimize their performance
Find the employee that has potential in implementing the new skill for well which field is not that different from previous skill	Find the employee that has potential in implementing the new and advanced skill well
Provide learning experience that can help employee to acquire skills required in the modern workforce	Advance the employees career path by giving them access for advanced education and training. Thus they tend to stay in the same company longer
Example: Changing the production system from manual to mechanical that require training so the employees can start work in this new system properly	Example: Taking workshops, conference, and courses to build more knowledge and experience about subjects that have been cultivated

Between reskilling and upskilling, reskilling has gained more attention because 87% of executives reported experiencing skill gaps in 2020 reported by McKinsey & Company. This report concluded that in order to tackle this issue, reskilling is the most proper strategy. This conclusion is also supported by the World Economic Forum that 40% of workers from all around the world will require reskilling by 2025.

In conclusion, it is undeniable how important skills are to secure a long lasting career as everyone obviously wants a long career and stable income to meet their needs properly. Certain jobs may not last longer due to no longer needed or the demand is low, but you will survive if you have the required skills.

Fortunately, Singapore takes this matter very well as they already spread this awareness several years ago. The fact that Singapore is consistent in improving the workforce quality despite already being the top global player is impressive.

As an attempt to figure out the future jobs in Singapore, HRD Asia and Workforce Singapore organized a webinar in May to talk about The Future of Work: Winning the Talent Race. Experts in this field such as senior content manager, leader of global future of work, and career consultant gathered and finalized the webinar with five things Singaporeans need to anticipate regarding the future jobs in Singapore.

1. Companies need to capitalize the combined intelligence between robots or machine and human to boost productivity

To many people, it sounds odd. What does it mean combining machine and human? Why companies?

While many are aware of this issue on an individual level, this issue should be brought up on a higher level. So companies who hold the higher level on this issue should know that they have the capabilities to strategize this purpose. It can only happen effectively if companies take the lead.

People worry that machines and robots will take over their jobs that result in less employment in the workforce. However, if the companies actually care, they can make a system where manpower and machines are capitalized to boost productivity. In fact, companies should be conscious that no machine can replace manpower. Thus they need to focus on maximizing these resources effectively.

The first step to make it happen is by urging employers to view machines and robots as a revolutionary force for growth. By changing the view from seeing machines as a threat to revolutionary force for growth, employers will think of strategy and the solution in order to go forward.

2. Upgrading leadership styles should be the priority

Some leaders might think their style is the best and won’t budge from learning more or seek a better approach. This mindset can stunt not only the employees and company, but also the productivity and the growth. When they don’t grow and even worse refuse to grow, the future of the company will be doomed.

Hence, it’s in the leader’s job to be aware of this and do something. Leaders need to adopt a progressive mindset and explore new directions for the company. Avoid stagnant as much as possible by putting focus on the wellness of the employees, and listen to what they need. As the leader, if you can’t look up to find a better teacher, look down at the employees and listen to what they say about how to boost their productivity.

3. Accommodate millennial generation’s ambition

Younger generation has always been hopeful for the future. The expectation for the younger generation to do better has always been there all along. In order to make it happen, the employers, leaders, or people who have the higher power should be aware that they also need to be cooperative to make this happen.

Never underestimate and neglect the emerging millennial workforce. The leaders need to push and have faith in them. As this generation has to deal with issues in the present time, there needs to be solutions provided to tackle the current issues as well.

There are several ambitions that the current generation wish to be accommodated by the company. They wish the company to give frequent feedback on their performance. They also wish to have the freedom to experiment and explore. When they feel like their freedom is being limited, they will definitely do something to deal with it. One of the common solutions to them is to find another job.

The millennial generation wishes to grow with more collaboration. Collaboration can boost their creativity and networks that eventually benefit them as an individual. As for the company, collaboration can also benefit them by providing innovation.

Lastly, this generation expects flexibility. Be it flexibility at work hours, workplace, retention rates, and many more. Every job is different but it’s possible to apply a distinct work system that might only work for one type of job because it’s effective and gives the employees freedom to do more outside the job.

4. Create teams with a variety of skill sets

Focusing on skills is the right decision to prepare for the future. By creating a team that masters a variety of skill sets can ensure a safe and better future. This will increase the diversity of skills in the office that benefit the company because it means every job has each other’s back to keep the productivity going fine.

There are several values to hold so leaders can focus on making this team happen. Leaders need to focus on team building, creativity, fairness, support and innovation. The five values are the core to build a competent team that can last long.

5. Embrace and empower the employees for continuous learning

There’s no better and effective strategy than simply encouraging employees to keep learning. Through continuous learning, it can stimulate their knowledge better that eventually results in developing a better and effective decision making process. When the environment is supportive of employees’ growth, it can advance the company in the most positive way.

From the five key points of what Singaporeans need to anticipate regarding future jobs in Singapore, we can learn that it is the company’s responsibility to prepare the employees better to survive the future. If this issue is that critical, then the higher level leaders and employees in HR position are the one who need to initiate this.]

What if your company is not aware of it yet? What should you do?

It is possible to take this matter individually because at the end of the day you can only rely on yourself in order to survive in this world. Independent learning should be introduced to everyone. If you are here already and aware that job security is your concern, here is everything you need to do.

1. Upskill yourself to improve your employability

Upskilling is necessary if you need to build resilience in the workplace. As you get older, it can be pretty hard to learn more skills. However if you already know what you need to do to secure a long lasting job, do what it takes.

According to the Future of Jobs Report 2020 conducted by World Economic Forum, there are top 10 skills that will stay relevant in 2025 categorized by four types of skills. Whatever your job field, you might consider learning these skills as it mostly can also be applied in any field.

a. Problem-solving

• Analytical thinking and innovation
• Complex problem-solving
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Creativity, originality and initiative
• Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation

b. Self-management

• Active learning and learning strategies
• Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility

c. Working with people

• Leadership and social influence

d. Technology use and development

• Technology use, monitoring and control
• Technology design and programming

3. Build network

Build a network as you are working. Even if you are busy working right now, never ignore the chance to build your network and actually make time for it. Networking enables you to build your personal brand. It will help people to know what you can do for them and the other way as well. So when people need something, they remember you and what you can do to them. The same with if you need a certain person, you can easily reach them.

4. Be kind to yourself

Uncertainty haunts. Sometimes you have tried many ways but it doesn’t get you as far as you expected. Anxiety caused by a job can be common, still, you have to handle it well or it will turn into something worse. After a long and hard journey, it’s okay to slow down, take a proper rest, reflect on yourself, and forgive yourself for your failures. Sometimes you have to accept your failures first in order to move forward at ease.

5. Plan your career path and embrace change

But if you currently feel like your goals seem out of reach, consider defining it using the SMART goals approach. SMART consists of specific measurable, attainable, relevant and timebound. If you are already or going to write down your goals, you need to figure out if your goals meet those criteria.

Finally, the future is full of uncertainty that can haunt everyone and in any level of life. As one of the top global players in the workforce, many Singaporeans also grow awareness regarding job security. Through studies and research, the key to future jobs in Singapore is skill. People need to reskill or upskill themselves and the company needs to accommodate this strategy for a better future in Singapore’s workforce.