Equipping workers with in-demand skills a priority for Singapore

Amid uncertainty in the labour market, there is a pressing need to equip Singaporeans with the necessary skills to compete on a global scale, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng. 

This comes as the world is facing uncertainties, from geopolitical tensions to inflationary pressures, which affects the employment market. “We have got to then invest significantly into our own local people to help them upskill,” the minister told CNA. 

While the country continues to bring in leading global firms and foreign talent to plug the skills gap, the onus is on local employees to take charge of their own career journey and have the desire to refresh their skills and keep up to date with new developments, he said. 

Tan also encouraged companies to focus on long-term transformation, which include adopting innovations and digitalising their work processes so they can be more resilient to changes. 

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“We urge companies to really consider diversifying their non-resident workforce, focusing on building up the Singapore core, and… making sure that [our people] reskill and upskill”, he said, while highlighting how the government is also looking at ways to better support those who are unemployed, with the end goal of helping them seek new roles.