"Success isn’t always about how much you know or how hard you work."
Technology and trends are now moving so fast that skills that are important today may become outdated next year. For countries that are serious about developing their population’s potential, the high speed of disruption presents a serious challenge, as they have to provide a way for already busy workers to add to their existing skillsets.
As usual, Singapore takes a unique path to solving this issue. Rather than let the free market take complete control over professional education, the city-state’s government has taken serious steps to ensure upskilling opportunities are available to all Singaporeans through the SkillsFuture Singapore programme.
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) is a programme initiated by the Singapore government that is intended to help both new and experienced workers develop the necessary skills to stay relevant in an ever-changing global economy. It is unique for its affordability, the quality of its modules, its focus on individuals with previous work experience, as well as its goal of encouraging lifelong learning.
While many people take SSG certificate courses in Singapore for professional reasons, the easy access to upskilling has led to many others using them to unlock their potential and pursue personal growth. Here are six ways that entering the SkillsFuture programme may help you achieve personal growth:
Expand Your Knowledge and Skills
SkillsFuture Singapore offers a wide array of courses and subjects, including communications courses, digital marketing, coding, and even culinary arts. Best of all, unlike other programmes that might require a specific university degree, individuals taking SSG courses can study subjects that they might have no background in. Importantly, unlike most company-sponsored higher education programmes, under SSG students are free to take courses for no other reason than personal interest. This makes SkillsFuture an especially appealing option for those who want to learn for the sake of personal betterment.
While you can take SkillsFuture courses for pleasure, they are largely designed to help already-experienced employees develop the necessary skills to advance in their careers, including skillsets that may not even have existed a generation ago. Many SSG courses are tailored to specific industries that are relevant to Singapore’s economic direction while others offer practical general knowledge. Whether you want to shift to a new career or take on more responsibilities within your existing field, SSG offers ways for you to become a better, more knowledgeable version of the person you currently are.
Enhance your Personal Brand
Success isn’t always about how much you know or how hard you work. For better or worse, it is often dependent on how unique you appear to potential employers and business partners. In this regard, having a unique set of skills can sometimes be more important than depth in one specific area.
Of course, it helps if your new competencies are in high demand. Fortunately, SSG consistently offers courses in in-demand areas such as data analytics and project management. By taking these courses, you can potentially enhance your personal brand and make yourself a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Boost your Confidence
Being armed with useful knowledge is the best way to boost your confidence, especially during volatile times. Unfortunately, the conventional path to learning new skills can be often daunting—not to mention expensive. However, the SSG’s sheer accessibility to Singaporeans makes it a must-try for anyone who has been feeling doubtful of themselves and their future prospects. By taking SkillsFuture courses, you can step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself in a safe environment, potentially boosting your confidence and your ability to tackle life’s different trials.
SkillsFuture courses offer a great opportunity to connect with new people, not just in your current field but also in the ones you are interested in. This is especially important as older professionals may often report having fewer friends or colleagues that they can relate with. Entering the SSG programme makes it simple for experienced professionals to meet and confer with like-minded individuals, gain new perspectives, and even find new personal opportunities.
It’s not unusual for longtime professionals to question their purpose in life. Fortunately, taking SkillsFuture Singapore courses can offer opportunities to give back to society. Courses related to areas such as volunteer management, social media marketing for non-profits, and community leadership can be used to leverage one’s existing skills for the community’s benefit.
SkillsFuture Singapore is an excellent resource for Singaporeans who are looking to unlock their full potential. With its diverse range of highly relevant courses and programmes, one can acquire new skills and use them to further develop oneself both professionally and personally. When considering the relatively low cost of SSG courses compared to other upskilling alternatives, taking them is a no-brainer, especially if you can find the time.
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Germaine Ignacio is a freelance writer. As a Psychology major, she is interested in how investing in personal growth and happiness can improve professional productivity. She is also an avid baker who lives with two cats.