|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Singapore continues to prioritise the development of a future-ready workforce, ensuring its citizens and businesses can thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. A key effort toward this goal is the collaboration between SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and a global real asset manager. Their partnership focuses on upskilling, reskilling, and transforming Singapore’s retail sector for success in the digital economy.
The organisation has been actively engaged in the SkillsFuture Queen Bee initiative since 2022. This program, spearheaded by SkillsFuture Singapore, connects industry leaders with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to foster workforce development and digital transformation. As part of the initiative, the global real asset group has partnered with over 300 companies, helping to upskill more than 1,500 employees.
On 23 September 2024, the partnership was extended for another 18 months, running from August 2024 through January 2026. During this time, the company aims to onboard an additional 120 retail SMEs, training at least 600 more employees. By extending this collaboration, it will leverage industry expertise and its network to bridge skill gaps, enhance workforce capabilities, and support retail businesses in a tech-driven landscape.
The partnership reflects a nationwide focus on preparing Singapore’s workforce for the future. Retail businesses, especially SMEs, face unique challenges as consumer behaviours shift and new digital tools emerge.
The SkillsFuture Queen Bee Programme equips retailers with essential skills to remain agile and competitive. Offering comprehensive training in digital fluency, operational optimisation, and customer service excellence, the program is tailored to the retail sector’s needs.
The company’s Group Chief Strategy Officer underscored this commitment, “Our aim is to help our retail partners bridge skills gaps and strengthen their workforce so that they can adapt to new challenges and seize emerging opportunities.”
SkillsFuture Singapore’s Chief Executive, Tan Kok Yam, emphasised the importance of workforce development, “It is crucial to support retailers, especially SMEs, by equipping them with the skills and capabilities to remain agile, competitive, and responsive to the challenges of the changing retail landscape.”
The partnership has boosted SME productivity, employee satisfaction, and business growth significantly. Training in sales, customer interaction, and merchandising helps improve customer experiences, which is key to retail success.
In addition, the company in collaboration with NTUC LearningHub and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), introduced a series of retail career fairs. These events aim to address immediate hiring needs while committing to ongoing employee development, further strengthening Singapore’s retail workforce.
As the partnership evolves, the focus will shift to digital transformation and innovation in retail. By stressing Critical Core Skills like customer orientation, influence, and digital fluency, the initiative prepares SMEs for the future. Additionally, workplace coaching and mentoring will promote a sustainable learning culture, ensuring ongoing development beyond the training period.
The SkillsFuture Queen Bee initiative is not just about addressing current skill gaps but also about creating a forward-looking workforce. By ensuring that Singaporeans are equipped with the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape, the program is playing a key role in shaping the nation’s economic future.
Singapore’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident in initiatives like SkillsFuture. As a key strategy for global competitiveness, SkillsFuture empowers citizens to manage their personal and professional growth in a rapidly changing world. This collaboration underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships in achieving national goals.
As Singapore continues its journey towards becoming a digital economy, initiatives like the SkillsFuture Queen Bee Programme will remain crucial. By focusing on upskilling, reskilling, and empowering the workforce, Singapore is ensuring that its citizens are not just ready to face the challenges of today but are prepared to seize the opportunities of tomorrow.
