Helping employees adapt to new job opportunities amid rapid workplace changes
Singapore’s employment landscape is rapidly evolving, with technological advancements reshaping workplaces and job roles. In response, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is committed to equipping workers with new skills and helping them transition into emerging job opportunities. NTUC President K Thanaletchimi and Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng emphasized this in their annual May Day message on April 30, 2024.
Advancements in artificial intelligence and digital transformation are driving automation at an unprecedented scale, altering traditional work processes. The NTUC leaders stressed that workers must adapt by acquiring new competencies to stay relevant in a fast-changing job market.
Beyond technological disruptions, workers are also facing rising inflation, high living costs, and job uncertainties due to increasing retrenchments. Thanaletchimi and Ng acknowledged these concerns, warning that further cost-driven and structural changes could impact the workforce in the coming year.
To address these challenges, NTUC aims to foster career advancement and resilience by facilitating skills development for workers to secure high-value jobs. Employers are also urged to embrace digital transformation and invest in a skilled workforce. The NTUC encourages companies to establish training committees, with over 200,000 workers already benefiting from such initiatives.
The union leaders reiterated that these efforts must continue, calling on more employers to collaborate in workforce transformation. By prioritizing innovation and productivity, businesses can create better wage outcomes and long-term career growth for employees.
