Fostering careers in sustainability through lifelong learning

By upskilling with NTUC LearningHub, three professionals from diverse industries are gearing up for a greener future.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mr Rusydi Maswan – a supervisor and trainer in the cleaning and waste management industry with 12 years of experience – was asked to make a tough choice: Accept a substantial pay cut or leave his job. 

Choosing the latter, Mr Rusydi, 37, resolved to enter a sector poised for long-term growth, which would reduce the risk of future job insecurity.

The announcement that Singapore would stop registering new internal combustion engine cars and taxis after 2030, part of the nation’s push to electrify its vehicle population, sparked his interest. He said: “I saw that there would be a need for Singaporeans from the younger generation who could work with electric vehicles.” 

To facilitate his career transition, Mr Rusydi knew he had to build on his existing Nitec in Automotive Technology by picking up new skills. He decided to enrol in the National Electric Vehicle Safety Specialist course at NTUC LearningHub.

NTUC LearningHub, a continuing education and training provider in Singapore, leverages numerous partnerships to offer a comprehensive range of training programmes. This includes courses in growth and emerging sectors, such as sustainability, healthcare and technology.

DRIVING HIMSELF TO EXPLORE A NEW CAREER PATH

Planning to enter a new industry and take on an unfamiliar role, Mr Rusydi naturally felt anxious – especially since he had not used his knowledge of automotives in a long time. It was crucial for him to acquire the most up-to-date skills and capabilities.

He was relieved to find his course trainers approachable and generous with their time in answering his questions: “NTUC LearningHub offers a conducive environment for learners, a structured framework and a comprehensive curriculum that has equipped me with the skills I needed to thrive in my chosen sector.”  

After completing the course, Mr Rusydi found his skill set in high demand among prospective employers, having attained competencies in electric and hybrid vehicle charging, maintenance and battery management. 

Now an automotive technician, Mr Rusydi applies his learning daily, from knowing which tools to use to adhering to safety precautions. “I’ve benefited from being certified to handle electric vehicles, and in this industry, there are currently not many who are certified to handle them safely and effectively,” he shared.

Looking ahead, Mr Rusydi is eager to broaden his knowledge and expertise in the electric vehicle sector. “There is no expiry date on learning. I’m looking forward to discovering more about what the industry has to offer,” he said.

GROWING HIS CAREER IN URBAN AGRICULTURE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Joe Ferry was concerned that his employer, already affected by the crisis, would soon begin laying off staff.

Mr Ferry, 42, was then a 3D design visualiser in the architecture industry – a job he had held for 13 years and felt comfortable in. Although he was not let go from his job eventually, the pandemic triggered a realisation that he needed to take a more proactive stance in his career.

“My first thought was to look into something I was passionate about, which led me to areas such as sustainability, energy management and urban farming,” he said.

Taking a leap of faith, Mr Ferry quit his job and enrolled in the six-month Digital Agritech Operation Manager, Food Safety Level 1 course at NTUC LearningHub. The course imparts job-ready skills in areas such as urban farming and farm technology, quality standards, operation accounting, branding and marketing strategy, business planning and e-commerce.

Not only was the course content aligned with his passion for urban farming, but it was also attuned to the Government’s “30 by 30” goal to develop Singapore’s agri-food sector and produce 30 per cent of the population’s nutritional needs by 2030.

During the course, Mr Ferry enjoyed meeting people of different ages and backgrounds and engaging in hands-on activities, such as building mini greenhouses and visiting local urban farms.  

After completing the course, Mr Ferry took on a role in a sustainable investment firm before joining his current workplace, a company specialising in developing farm walls that grow leafy greens and herbs. Starting as a part-time employee, he eventually transitioned to a full-time role managing the daily operations of the plant nursery and is now the company’s office manager. 

Mr Ferry plans to further his learning in the sustainability space. “Changing jobs is never easy but my previous bosses instilled in me the need to constantly learn new things. The key is to be persistent, resilient and open to new challenges,” he said.

EXPANDING HER SKILL SET TO LEAD SUSTAINABLE CHANGE 

Having experienced the dark days of COVID-19’s impact on the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector, Ms Annabelle Ooi, who is in her 30s, realised it was imperative to equip herself with new skills to navigate the post-pandemic industry landscape. 

With sustainability becoming increasingly important in the events management sector, Ms Ooi sought support from her event organiser company to enrol at NTUC LearningHub. There, she undertook several courses she believed would be relevant to the evolving needs of the MICE sector: Sustainability in Tourism & Event Operations; Sustainability in MICE: Unlocking the New Horizon; and Sustainable Procurement in Tourism & Events. 

These Certified Event Sustainability (CES) accreditation courses are part of a collaboration between the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) and NTUC LearningHub. Singapore’s first sustainability-focused accreditation for the tourism and events sectors, CES is a compulsory requirement for organisations pursuing MICE sustainability certification. 

“As I lead the events operations team, sustainability management is a natural fit for my role. My team can lead and influence positive change towards creating more sustainable events,” Ms Ooi explained. 

Responsible for planning, procuring and executing all event elements, she said the courses provided her with valuable knowledge of the supply chain ecosystem and circular economy, as well as the competencies needed to have meaningful conversations about sustainability with stakeholders.

“The trainers were experts in their fields and kept the class engaged throughout. There were open, thought-provoking and insightful exchanges with other like-minded industry peers as well,” she recounted. 

Ms Ooi has some advice for others looking to upskill and transform their careers: “Determine the key objective for reskilling or upskilling – whether for career advancement, staying relevant, improving earning potential or increasing job satisfaction. Once you have that in mind, identify your next steps and discuss with course providers to learn more about recommended courses that can help you achieve your goal.”

Thinking of a career switch via upskilling? Take the first step by enquiring with NTUC LearningHub.