The importance of training staff in digital dexterity

IT IS ironic that in a progressive, technologically advanced nation like Singapore, so many people seem fairly worried about technology and its impact on their future job security.

A recent study - Mind the Gap - of 750 employees across Singapore found that 85 per cent feel they would need to learn a new skill in 2019 to remain confident in their role. However, their greatest fear is not being supported by their employers to meet future job requirements. Some 90 per cent of respondents are concerned they are not receiving the learning, development and training they need from their organisation to remain employable and skilled in the future, while almost one third (29 per cent) are very concerned.

In Singapore, the government is making great strides to tackle the issue through its SkillsFuture programme, supporting people to upskill across all parts of the employment spectrum. However, not nearly enough companies are investing in the people capabilities required to transform their businesses digitally. Across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific, organisations are still trying to solve their current skills deficits through hiring, with 92 per cent saying that when a new role needs to be filled in their organisation, their employers look externally. This is a flawed strategy - not only because hiring is far more costly than training, but also because the skills simply are not out there.