Staying Agile And Relevant – Invest In Upskilling And Reskilling Today

Critical Core Skills (CCS) are foundational skills that serve as building blocks for acquiring additional skills. To stay ahead in today's rapidly changing landscape, it is crucial to analyse the steps one can take to equip oneself with the essential skills. Learn how to identify the relevant CCS needed based on the nature of your work, specifically through the Career-Learning-Planning Programme.

17 July 2023

5 mins

In today's ever-evolving job landscape, purposeful upskilling is a necessity. Continuous learning and systematic career development planning are crucial to ensure career longevity and mobility. While technical skills remain essential in the digital era, there is an increasing demand for Critical Core Skills (CCS) - a combination of digital, cognitive and socio-emotional skills that support transformation and enhance technical capabilities.

According to analysts, 98% of employers recognise the need for employees in hybrid roles to meet their business objectives in the next two years. Furthermore, 79% of these employers are actively seeking talent with a broader set of skills to take up hybrid roles, and 68% are specifically looking for individuals with strong problem-solving abilities. This data highlights the importance of equipping oneself with the necessary skills to stay ahead in a rapidly changing professional landscape.

How do you identify your existing skills?

So, how do you identify your existing skills and determine which CCS you need to acquire? One way is to refer to the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Skills Demand for the Future Economy 2022 Report (pg.50), which outlines the top three in-demand skills: Self-Management, Influence, and Creative Thinking. These skills provide a solid foundation for adapting to the evolving demands of the job market.

Additionally, you can utilise the CCS profiling tool, a valuable resource for identifying the specific CCS skills you need. By assessing your current skill set and comparing it to the desired skills in your field, you can pinpoint the areas where you need to focus your upskilling efforts.

To facilitate acquiring these critical core skills, modular training programmes are available that specifically target different areas. One notable example is the Career-Learning-Planning Programme, a four-day programme developed in collaboration with Project Zero, an education research group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This programme is designed to transform your career trajectory through a series of courses:

Self-Management – These are skills essential for navigating an evolving job landscape. By mastering self-management, you can enhance your productivity and maintain a competitive edge. This course focuses on equipping you with strategies to effectively manage your time, prioritise tasks, and adapt to changing work structures.
Learning Agility - In a fast-paced world, the ability to learn and adapt quickly is crucial. Learning agility enables you to embrace change and seize new opportunities. This course emphasises the importance of continuous learning and provides strategies for staying updated with industry trends and acquiring new knowledge and skills.
Developing People - Leadership skills are becoming increasingly valuable in hybrid roles. By enhancing your leadership skills, you can effectively manage teams and drive success. This course focuses on developing your ability to inspire and empower others, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
Transdisciplinary Thinking - Complex problems and volatile situations require a different approach to decision-making. This course emphasises transdisciplinary thinking, which involves considering multiple perspectives and integrating knowledge from various disciplines to make informed decisions. Developing this skill equips you to navigate the challenges of a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world.

These courses provide the necessary tools to enhance your career success, facilitate continuous learning, hone leadership skills, and make quality decisions in a complex and volatile world.

Upskilling and reskilling with the Career-Learning Planning Programme

Why should you consider investing in upskilling and reskilling through the Career-Learning-Planning Programme? First and foremost, soft skills have become increasingly important as work has become more complex. Effective interaction with others is crucial for success in this interconnected world. By developing your interpersonal and communication skills, you can navigate the intricacies of modern work environments and build meaningful connections.

Moreover, people learn effectively from other people. By participating in collaborative learning experiences, you can tap into your peers' collective knowledge and expertise. This exchange of information and understanding enhances your learning and opens new opportunities for growth and development.

Lastly, the importance of self-management must be balanced. As jobs become less structured in the changing landscape, managing your time and workload becomes crucial. The Career-Learning-Planning Programme equips you with the necessary skills to self-direct your career, ensuring that you stay on top of your game and adapt to the evolving demands of the professional world.

Investing in upskilling and reskilling is essential for staying agile and relevant in today's job market. By identifying the critical core skills needed in your field and taking advantage of programmes like the Career-Learning-Planning Programme, you can equip yourself with the necessary tools to thrive in an ever-changing professional landscape. Remember, continuous learning and systematic career development planning are crucial to ensuring your long-term success and mobility in the workforce. Start investing in your future today and register for the Career-Learning-Planning Programme at https://ccs.sim.edu.sg/career-learning-planning/.