Skill is an essential tool that helps to equip individuals with the ability to find and keep a job. It is also an essential aspect of individual development. According to the Manpower Research and Statistics Department, the number of unemployed persons in Singapore is at 2.7% (just a slight decrease from the 3.0% unemployment rate in 2020 due to the pandemic). This number is still significantly higher than the 2.3% unemployment rate in 2019.
SkillsFuture Courses
The government of Singapore is aware of the importance of skills and has been investing in various initiatives to provide access to skills training for its citizens. One such initiative is SkillsFuture. SkillsFuture is a national movement by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) that allows Singaporeans to develop their skills throughout their lives. The program offers a variety of SSG courses that aim to equip workers with the skills they need for the 21st-century workplace.
The SkillsFuture program has been successful in helping many people gain new skills and advance their careers. In addition, it has helped to make Singapore a more competitive economy by providing its workers with the tools they need to succeed in the global marketplace. Many Singaporeans have benefited from the program and have gone on to find good jobs and start their own businesses.
The Competitive Global Market
The global marketplace is becoming increasingly competitive. To succeed in this environment, workers must have the necessary skills and knowledge. Some of the skills that are required in the 21st-century workplace include:
1. The ability to use technology
2. The ability to communicate effectively
3. The ability to work in a team
4. The ability to problem-solve
5. The ability to think creatively
6. The ability to be adaptable
The SkillsFuture program can help workers develop these skills and knowledge to be better equipped to find and keep a good job. Due to the pandemic, many businesses have had to adapt their operations. This has resulted in a need for workers who can be adaptable and have the skills to work in a virtual environment.
Offered Courses
The SkillsFuture program offers a variety of courses for different skill levels. They have full-time courses for those who want to gain new skills and part-time courses for those who wish to upgrade their skills while working. There are also a few traineeship courses and work-study diplomas that are offered. The courses cover a wide range of topics, such as:
1. Business
2. Technology
3. Manufacturing
4. Hospitality
Many courses are designed to help workers gain the skills they need for the 21st-century workplace. For example, their business courses help aspiring entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. Individuals with great business ideas without an entrepreneurial spirit can take these courses to develop their business acumen and management skills.
Technology courses are also essential in today’s workplace. They cover topics such as cybersecurity, online marketing, and data analytics. These courses can help workers to be more efficient and productive in their jobs. They can also help businesses protect themselves from cyber threats and better use of data.
How to Use SkillsFuture Courses
The courses are available with credits that learners can use to offset the cost of course fees. Depending on the course, individuals may use the credits to pay for the entire course fee or a portion of it. The government also offered a $500 top-up credit that you can use for courses listed on the SkillsFuture website. This credit is available for all Singaporeans aged 25 and above.
You can find the schedule for the courses on the SkillsFuture website. The website also has a course catalog that provides more information about each course. Individuals can create an account on the website to register for a course. They must provide their contact information and choose a username and password. After creating an account, they can search for courses and add them to their cart. You can make payments online with a credit or debit card.
Individuals can also use their SkillsFuture credit to pay for courses not listed on the website. To do this, they must submit a claim form to the SkillsFuture office. You can find the claim form on the website. They must provide their contact information, course details, and receipts. Enrollees must submit the claim form within six months of the course start date.
In this competitive global market, workers need to have the necessary skills and knowledge. The SkillsFuture program can help workers develop these skills to keep up with the demands of the 21st-century workplace. Individuals looking to upgrade their skills or learn new ones can take advantage of the courses offered by SkillsFuture. With the government’s support, Singapore can continue to produce a well-educated and skilled workforce.
