Be proactive in career development, NTUC tells workers
Asking the right questions, solving complex problems and navigating changes are the kind of skills that will prepare workers for the future, said labour chief Ng Chee Meng yesterday.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) can help people build such skills through learning programmes and other initiatives, he said in a speech at the NTUC U Future Leaders Summit.
Mr Ng, who is NTUC's secretary-general, also called on workers to be proactive in their career development.
"It is important that all of us are aware of the trends, challenges and opportunities that Industry 4.0 will bring and gear up," he added, referring to automation and how it is changing various sectors.
"If we can deepen the skills of our workers, if employers can embrace technologies, our productivity levels ... can go up.
Mr Ng, who addressed about 1,500 participants at the Star Theatre in Buona Vista, said workers will "require a combination of adaptive skills, technological skills and deep technical skills" to stay relevant to the future workforce.
He also noted that the U Future Leaders Exchange, a series of micro-learning sessions the NTUC launched last year to help busy white-collar workers, has helped about 4,000 professionals, managers and executives.
NTUC announced a wide-ranging study last month to find out how workers can be matched to future jobs.
More than 26,000 workers have benefited from the U Future Leaders Programme, which is in its sixth year, noted Mr Ng.
"We intend to reach out to more of our workers, regardless of collar." - THE STRAITS TIMES
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