Personalised career coaching, early skills development among efforts to help workers shift career planning approach
The efforts are part of Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) pivot away from only giving support to workers in the face of crisis, such as when they lose their jobs, and instead help prepare them early before changes take place in their industries.
A Workforce Singapore (WSG) one-stop career centre. The Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) will take charge of 12 WSG centres from Apr 1.
SINGAPORE: There will soon be more resources provided to help workers in Singapore plot their careers and develop relevant skills.
The efforts are part of Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) pivot away from only giving support to workers in the face of crisis, such as when they lose their jobs, and instead help prepare them early before changes take place in their industries.
WSG, a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower, is in charge of transforming the local workforce and industry to meet ongoing economic challenges.
It will include initiatives such as online tools to identify skills gaps and one-on-one career coaching, and focus on career health and matching services for employees.
It also aims to prevent people from scampering to upskill just in case they lose their jobs.
More details of its efforts to help workers will be released at a later date, according to the statutory board.
PERSONALISED GUIDANCE
WSG’s pilot programme Polaris was launched in November last year.
Over a three-month period, workers are given the relevant support to figure out what it takes to push their careers forward, including planning for upskilling ahead of time.
Among the initiatives are sessions with career coaches to help workers plan their own long-term development.
Such personalised guidance can help them set clear directions, whether it is for a career switch or the aim of getting promoted to a bigger role.
WSG career coach Lee Kok Wey told CNA that clients who approach them for help are typically unsure and uncertain about what the future holds.
“We have clients who come to us because they are re-evaluating their current situation at work, and also looking at the long-term plan. So a lot of them may find there's a gap between 'Where I am' versus 'Where I want to be',” he said.
“At the same time, that ‘Where do I want to be’ may not be clear. So that thorough understanding of themselves actually helps them to understand what they can leverage on, what they can capitalise (and) what they can use to their advantage to plan the path ahead.”
NOT JUST IN TIMES OF CRISIS
WSG’s new direction helps the workforce remain prepared for changes to the jobs landscape, said its deputy chief executive Lau Boon Ping.
“Specifically to the individuals, what Workforce Singapore will be doing is to help keep them updated on the evolving job landscape, as well as helping them take proactive steps towards making those long-term plans for their careers,” he told CNA.
“This will ensure that when they do upskilling, they do it purposefully, and ensure that whatever skills that are acquired are relevant for their work today, as well as in the future.”
Under a new partnership with WSG, the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) will take over the role of employment assistance, and will take charge of 12 WSG centres from Apr 1.
This will free up WSG to focus on partnering with businesses to prepare workers for changes in job scopes.
WSG will also better support workers by using digital tools like the CareersFinder portal, which helps workers explore ways to acquire the new skills needed for their career ambitions.
