Why Upskilling and Reskilling Are Crucial for a Post-COVID Economy

As companies and industries all over the world gear up to embrace a new normal, it is imperative to equip yourself with the right skillsets to thrive in the post COVID economy.

In-Demand Skills for Better Job Opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of digitalisation and technology adoption, which has proven to be a crucial cog for businesses to overcome challenges such as restricted travels and drastic shifts to working environments.

As businesses undertake their own digital transformation and change the way they operate to reach new markets and customers, it is important for individuals themselves to embrace this digital revolution and ensure their preparedness for what lies ahead as a new reality will demand new skills. Arming yourself with important and relevant digital skillsets will be advantageous as your skills will be highly sought-after and valued. Picking up digitised skillsets has also become more accessible and convenient with courses made available online.

The SIM-RMIT Online is one such platform, where you can take up programmes that will equip you with important skills which have been identified as necessary for Singapore to remain competitive. This includes programmes in Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence.

Identifying Growth Industries to Stay Recession-Proof

As you plan to upgrade your skills, it is also important to identify growth industries in Singapore where your skills will be in-demand. This will help you stand a better chance of staying recession-proof especially if the sector that you are in has not been performing well.

Manufacturing, for instance, which is a traditional pillar of Singapore’s economy, is currently in the midst of undergoing a big transformation. Consistent with Industry 4.0, traditional manufacturing plants are quickly becoming high-tech factories that feature technologies such as advanced automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Despite its small size, Singapore has done well to adapt and transform into a global Advanced Manufacturing Hub. It houses top engineering, procurement and construction firms, complete with world-class engineering, construction and research capabilities ready to meet global demand.

This vibrancy of Singapore’s manufacturing ecosystem has also attracted international companies to site not just their production facilities, but also their Research and Development, supply chain management and headquarters in Singapore. This has resultantly created a surge in demand for workers who possess skillsets in Advanced Manufacturing.

The SGUnited Skills Programme in Advanced Manufacturing, an initiative by the government, will help address the rise in demand for such workers. The programme also aims to help job seekers impacted by the pandemic to reskill and upskill.

SIM is one of the Institutes of Higher Learning which currently offers eight different Advanced Manufacturing programmes that covers a range of different job functions at both executive and management level.

Programme participants will also be able to gain experience in a real work environment through a 120-hour industry attachment where they will get to apply their newly acquired skills. SIM also partners with companies and organisations which includes recruitment partners to help trainees find jobs upon completion of the programme. Those who have yet to find jobs will continue to receive career advisory and employment assistance for landing a job.

Becoming a Valuable Employee

By improving your career prospects through upgrading, you will also be able to gain a new-found confidence and renewed enthusiasm for work. Even when it is not in times of crisis, upgrading and reskilling will help you stay highly-driven, making you a valuable employee to your organisation. As you boost your effectiveness, you’ll also give be able to give yourself the best shot at landing that dream job!