There's a new skill you can learn now

There's a new skill you can learn now

Roadshows, advertisements and a website will be rolled out to get Singaporeans excited... about training.

The initiatives have been planned as part of the first nationwide lifelong learning campaign by national training body Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

Three roadshows or "pop-up cafes" will be organised for workers to learn about courses over coffee.

The first will be held this month at Chevron House in Raffles Place, followed by two at Bedok Mall and Jurong Point later this year.

Workers will also be able to pick up skills such as digital art and people management through videos and games at these cafes.

WDA chief executive Ng Cher Pong said previous campaigns to get Singaporeans to embrace learning were smaller scale and targeted specific groups such as low-wage workers.

"But we are targeting everyone now. It is important for everyone to stay prepared by always learning as our economy is volatile and unpredictable," he said at the campaign launch yesterday.

WDA also wants to show workers and bosses that they can improve their skills in spite of the manpower crunch which has hit most industries.

The agency's corporate and marketing communications director Kenneth Wong said: "There are ways to get around lack of manpower and time by going for short courses, on-the-job training and also online modules."

WDA has launched a website www.learnnow.sg where Singaporeans access a series of 17 bite-sized modules covering topics such as prata-making, towel-folding and business Mandarin.

Said Mr Wong: "It takes just a few minutes to complete each module. The aim is to really show that it does not take long to pick up a new skill."

WDA is also urging Singaporeans to pledge on the website to learn something new this year, from professional skills to personal interests.

Mr Ng has taken the lead by promising to spend 100 hours to learn about nanosensors.

"We hope to inspire workers to be responsible for their own learning and from there build a strong lifelong culture of learning in Singapore," he said.

 


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