How Is Singapore Planning To Enhance Student's Employability Through Digital Skills?

23rd January 2023

As per a survey, Singapore's economy will require 1.2 million digitally skilled workers for its existing 2.2 million workforce by 2025.

During the pandemic, Singapore witnessed the largest record drop in total employment by more than 172,000 in more than 20 years. The unemployment rate rose to 4.5% as of December 2022, which was the highest in 10 years. As a result, the demand for digital skills in the country is expected to expand significantly. Therefore, the rising gap between demand and supply needs to be filled quickly.

The government is already taking reforms and initiatives to bridge the digital skills gap and prepare the future workforce for work, let us see how.

Key Challenges Faced By Singapore Workforce

Before we move into the reforms and changes, let u first understand what are the challenges faced by the workforce of Singapore.
 

Source: sg.finance.yahoo.com
 

• Most job seekers are unaware of the latest trends in job search and were not prepared for the digital use of Applicant Tracking Systems for the recruitment process.
• Most people are unable to network with the correct people and are unequipped with the resources to learn digital skills.
• Many job seekers face gaps in job skills and are concerned about the impact of digitalization in the job sector.
• Aspirants often turn down offers because they feel unfamiliar with the work environment or lack the confidence to adapt to the new setting.

Prioritizing Digital-Skill-Based Model Of Work

Michael Martin, during his official visit to Singapore from 19th to 22nd July 2022 witnessed the signing of new agreements between two leading Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and ICDL Asia. The purpose of his visit was to reinforce essential bilateral relationships between Ireland and Singapore ad establish support towards Irish-based institutes like ICDL operating in Singapore.
 

Source: www.weforum.org

ICDL, headquartered in Dublin is an international organization devoted to raising digital competence standards in society, education, and the workforce. It is one of the most recognized and prestigious digital skills certifications with 17 million candidates and spanning over 100 territories. Learners learn about real work skills that allow them to be productive learners, citizens, employees, and entrepreneurs.

The new strategic partnership between Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) will elevate the digital competence standards of numerous students n Singapore thus further extending ICDL's global reach. The signing ceremony was led by the CEO of ICDL Foundation Mr. Damien O'Sullivan and was joined by the CEO and President of SIM Mr. Seah Chin Siong, Provost of SIM Global Education Professor Wei Kwok Kee, and Senior Director of Temasek Polytechnic Mr. Aw Tuan Kee.

Industry-Related Courses For Singapore Students

SIM is a lifelong learning institution and a leading private education provider in Singapore with around 16,000 full-time and part-time students. With SIM coming under the umbrella of the ICDL network of test centers, all the certification programs offered by ICDL will be available at SIM's Centre of Micro-Credentials. This will enable the students to learn and earn micro-credentials in digital skills.

To date over 1,600 TP students have been certified in various ICDL workforce and professional and insights modules. The programs are currently implemented in the schools of Applied Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, and Social Sciences.
 

Source: www.weforum.org

By equipping the students with strong digital skills ICDL, SIM and TP propose to empower them to realize and navigate their potential in the ever-evolving digital era. By nurturing a community of effective digital students, Singapore wishes to work together to encourage a culture of experimentation and innovation.

The renewed partnership between the bodies indicates stronger commitment and prepares TP students for the digital economy. As witnessed during the signing ceremony in Singapore, students from far and wide will benefit from ICDL's globally recognized certification. This is because it is one of the most sought-after and trusted certifications by employers thus boosting the chances of landing an opportunity in the digital-first global economy.
 

Preparing For The New World

In this era where technology is permeating all of our lives more acutely, it is en more essential to acquire digital skills. As learning institutions should focus on the future of work, Singapore is all set to prepare its students to be future-ready through applied learning. If you also wish to be a part of the evolving workforce, consider pursuing a virtual online teaching certificate and realign yourself with the new-age skills and goals of employers.