In the year 2020, the global economy has been affected by Covid-19 greatly. Singapore’s economy is no different. Given its reliance on open borders, Singaporeans especially those entering the workforce will face increasing difficulties finding a job.
How does the future of employment look like for Singaporeans then? Will workplaces even be necessary in a post-Covid-19 world?
Due to Covid-19, communication along with trade and services are all hampered. As a result, the adoption of technologies has accelerated rapidly.
Individuals skating at Raffles Place before Covid-19
Photo: Kee Yong Yi
Digitalization and the need for upskilling
Uncertainties are inevitable, individuals especially young adults fear the lack of jobs. Early this year, dozens of journalists at Microsoft are replaced with Artificial Intelligence.
Leader of Global Future of Work, Deloitte, Nicole Scoble-Williams thinks otherwise, assuring that no job can be fully replaced. Additionally, he urged employers to leverage the collective intelligence of tech and people to increase the company's productivity.
Telecommuting platforms and cloud-based tools are great examples. Adoption of these technologies has helped companies to increase their overall productivity.
As the world becomes more digitalized each day, companies and individuals must make the necessary adjustments or be eliminated.
In a report conducted by the World Economic Forum in 2018, Singapore was one of the 25 economies best positioned to benefit from the changes driven by digitalization and automation.
Understanding the position Singaporeans are in, the government has invested a lot of time and resources in the training program - SkillsFuture.
Singaporeans aged 25 years old and above will receive S$500 credit to take courses.
Infographic: SkillsFuturesg
In his recent speech on Oct.15, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat also emphasized on the need to upskill and reskill. By upskilling with sought-after skills like digital skills, Singaporeans will be in a better position to find jobs.
The need for a physical workplace
With work-from-home becoming a common sight, there is rising uncertainties among employers.
"Are people working hard or are they hardly working?", said EngageRocket's founder and CEO, Leong Chee Tung.
Contrary to employers' beliefs, employees are capable of completing work at home and in fact, shown to be more productive.
Infographic: Kee Yong Yi
With that being said, is a physical office really required?
Many companies such as Twitter and Shopify already have plans to allow employees to work-from-home.
Nonetheless, the physical workplace still has a role to play. Workplaces can be redesigned to include more communal amenities. The Smart Local for instance has a chill area for employees to gather during their breaks. Thereby, fostering a vibrant culture and a stronger sense of belonging. This will in turn improve companies' performances as employees are satisfied.
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - American author, Dan Millman.
By making the necessary improvements and changes, young Singaporean adults will be able to overcome the crisis of this generation.
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