Blogs

A cup with Low Choon Chye, Head of Sustainability, NTUC LearningHub
By Steven Lee, Brand & Communications, NTUC LearningHub

It was a typical sweltering day when I had the pleasure of meeting Choon Chye. Dressed in a sharp pink business shirt and grey pants, his vibrant demeanour exuded confidence and charisma, reflecting his assuredness in his endeavours.

With over six years of tenure at NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), Choon Chye has amassed considerable experience and knowledge, which he is eager to share with his colleagues or fellow LHUBBERS as we fondly call ourselves.

Quest to inspire positive change
“My quest to inspire others started during my university days,” shared the Head of Sustainability at NTUC LHUB.

Driven by an earnest desire to enact meaningful change, Choon Chye spoke with profound enthusiasm: “I was fortunate to receive the Singapore National Cooperative Federation (SNCF) scholarship, which bore the emblematic motto ‘Scholars with a Heart’. I found resonance in its ethos, and this fuelled my aspirations to lead, serve, and contribute towards creating a better world for our community.”

With Aerospace Engineering as his major and Business as a minor, Choon Chye explained how this combination endowed him with indispensable skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. "While engineering modules provided a solid foundation, it was the nuances of business studies that captivated me, leading me to my current role at NTUC LHUB, where contributing to organisational growth and collective endeavour brings me immense fulfilment."

As I delved deeper into Choon Chye's journey, it became clear that his work is not merely a job – it is a purposeful venture aimed at transforming lives.

Curious about his perspective on leadership, I posed a question: "How have your insights into leadership evolved since taking on a leadership role in the workplace?"

Nurturing leadership and self-management
“After assuming a leadership role, I have learned hard lessons as a leader. Management is an ongoing learning process. It is difficult to get everything right on the first try,” he said.

"A leader's role is to recognise the potential in each individual, enabling them to leverage their unique strengths for collective success. Embracing diversity is paramount; acknowledging that everyone brings distinct perspectives, experiences, beliefs, and values to the table. I cannot impose my own viewpoints and expect blind compliance.”

He emphasised that genuine leadership entails authenticity and sincerity, fostering a shared belief in the organisation's vision. “It is through this genuine connection that true innovation flourishes,” he continued. “But the hardest person you will ever have to lead is yourself,” said Choon Chye, drawing inspiration from Bill George's poignant words.

In addition to highlighting the significance of self-leadership and resilience, Choon Chye has underscored the vital role of establishing clear communication channels to amplify the value and benefits of NTUC LHUB's training programmes among key partners, trainers, and trainees. “In my capacity as a course developer and curriculum architect, I endeavour to articulate and exemplify the value proposition to diverse stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and fulfilling diverse customer needs. A notable example is our partnership with electric carmaker BYD which focuses on the importance of electric vehicle (EV) safety and maintenance procedures and processes, thereby catering to other learners beyond EV technicians.”

“However, our very first class did not garner many sign-ups. This was disappointing and demoralising to my team. Yet, we went ahead after much discussion and support from our partner, BYD. I learned that despite initial setbacks, I should remain resolute in my pursuit of collective success. With patience and perseverance, I fostered an environment within my team where setbacks serve as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks in achieving our goals. Today, I am happy to share that classes are going well!” said Choon Chye.

Choon Chye also emphasised the importance of collaboration with industry partners to provide clients with the knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in the emerging green economy. “Regardless of the challenges faced, I strongly believe that we remain in a good position to champion sustainability in Singapore,” Choon Chye exclaimed.

Empowering futures through lifelong learning
By now, it is evident that Choon Chye cherishes cultivating a growth mindset. But how does he translate this value into action? "I strongly advocate for lifelong learning as a catalyst for personal and organisational growth," he emphasises. "With unwavering support from my mentors, I embarked on a journey of professional development, pursuing the WSQ Diploma in Design and Development of Learning for Performance (DDDLP) and the Advanced Certificate in Learning and Assessment (ACTA). These courses have not only enriched my understanding of learning theories but also bolstered my ability to craft impactful curricula, facilitating profound learning journeys."

"As Head of Sustainability, I've cultivated a keen awareness of aligning business objectives with learning initiatives, while also considering the diverse attributes and profiles of our learners."

Choon Chye's journey at NTUC LHUB so far has underscored his dedication to enhancing the employability of workers in Singapore. "As I continue along this path, I'm humbled by the opportunity to contribute to shaping a brighter future for both individuals and organisations. I aim to inspire others through meaningful actions,” he reflected.

"And I hope that my work serves as inspiration for others to cultivate a growth mindset and effect meaningful change in their own lives." Choon Chye concluded.

Working towards a future together
My kopi session with Choon Chye was both extensive and enlightening. Throughout our discussion, he generously shared insights into leadership, illuminating the diverse perspectives and styles inherent in effective leadership.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in our charge,” Choon Chye said, quoting Simon Sinek.

Despite his ascent to a leadership role, Choon Chye remains grounded, never losing sight of the journey that brought him to where he stands today. He acknowledges the hard work, dedication, and the invaluable support of his colleagues who have contributed to his success.

“We never truly achieve on our own. Only when we come together can true transformation take place,” he said.

Choon Chye's ongoing leadership reminds us of the importance of leading with heart and compassion. There is still much to learn for Choon Chye, and the same can be said for the rest of us.

By Kenneth Choo, Deputy Director, Cyber & Governance, Digital Technology, NTUC LearningHub

Embarking on a learning journey can be one of the most significant life investments that allow us to explore our passions, develop our skills, and shape our future in an introspective and transformative way. In this reflective piece, I will share my personal story and the impact continuous learning has had on both my personal life and career, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. I hope this can motivate others to seize new opportunities and invest in themselves to grow and succeed.

My journey in the world of technology started with managing Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and operations. Then, I became aware of the significant role technology plays in our lives and the increasing need for robust security measures. Having the privilege to work across various industries from Healthtech, and to now Edtech for nearly 20 years, I witnessed the evolution of cyber threats and the potential risks they posed to organisations. This sparked my growing interest in cybersecurity even further. 

I realise that cybersecurity is not just a technical field but a critical aspect for business operations to run seamlessly. By specialising in this field, I play a more direct role in protecting digital systems and data from malicious attacks. I also appreciate the unique community of cybersecurity, where like-minded professionals come together easily to share knowledge and secure the ecosystem as a whole. 

The best of both worlds
Throughout my career, various significant milestones shaped my path and propelled me forward in my pursuit of the cybersecurity domain. Having worked in the public and private sectors, I am able to compare the distinct differences, yet equally dynamic and challenging landscapes.

In the private sector, organisations are mainly driven by factors such as sales, profitability, and market competition. As businesses embark on digital transformation and rely on digital platforms to sell their products or provide their services, the need to implement robust cybersecurity measures becomes of paramount importance. However, more often than not, organisations are playing catch-up in this area and face a constant battle against cyber threats such as data breaches and ransomware attacks, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The increased focus on tightened regulation and personal data protection, such as the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), further amplifies these challenges. It can be challenging to achieve a good balance in the investment of cyber measures versus other areas of the business as well, and it is always tough to determine if the investment is adequate. To overcome this issue, the cybersecurity trend in recent years is towards a risk-bask approach, where practitioners identify assets of higher risk by value and apply the appropriate controls based on the risk level. This approach helps provide better guidelines and enables organisations to allocate their cybersecurity resources more effectively.

On the other hand, the public sector operates within a unique landscape with different objectives. At the broad level, it focuses on digitalising Singapore towards becoming a Smart Nation and using technology to improve citizens’ life. At the same time, they are also responsible for securing our critical infrastructure (such as power, transport, and healthcare) and protecting our sensitive information from sophisticated attackers. A successful cyberattack on a government system can have far-reaching and adverse repercussions, impacting citizen safety and the nation's reputation.

It was intriguing to witness the growing importance of cybersecurity in different sectors and the critical need for skilled professionals to safeguard vital information and infrastructure. This demand is still growing positively today and there is a need to have a bigger pool of experts in this domain to ensure businesses have the capability to protect themselves from cyberattacks, as more companies continue in their digital transformation journey.  

You are only as strong as your weakest link
In one of my previous roles, I witnessed a cyberattack initiated by a malicious actor planting a harmful thumb drive into an unattended and unsecured workstation. To mitigate the impact of this incident, the team responded by isolating the affected personal computer (PC), connected machines, and network for several hours. The operations team had to resort to manual processes to carry out their daily tasks, causing the support team to handle over a hundred customer complaint emails. Fortunately, the containment measures were implemented promptly, preventing sensitive data exfiltration. However, the organisation still experienced financial and reputational consequences from this incident.

In 2018, we also witnessed the significant impact of a cyberattack in Singapore's local public healthcare sector. This incident brought about a drastic transformation of the entire healthcare landscape, emphasising the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard patient and health data. The attack originated by exploiting a vulnerability in a workstation, believed to be through an email phishing attack, and progressed through a series of steps and tools, ultimately resulting in the exfiltration of 1.5 million patient records. The incident had evident operational, financial, and reputational consequences, clearly demonstrating the sophistication of modern attackers and the advanced tools they employ. 

Once again, this serves as a good reminder of the importance of securing all potential connections to our corporate network and not overlooking any potential weak link. We must always bear in mind that attackers are continuously targeting the weakest links. A good cybersecurity practitioner should always comprehensively assess the entire attack surface and adopt a mindset similar to that of an attacker. By doing so, we can better identify and understand potential vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and entry points malicious actors may exploit.

With evolving technologies such as Web 3.0, quantum computing, increased adoption of IoT technologies, and even artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT, cyber concerns will undoubtedly become more elevated and sophisticated. While ChatGPT can be used by many to improve their work, it is also a double-edged sword. For example, threat actors can easily obtain reconnaissance data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) address ranges, domain names, operating system vulnerabilities, etc. all within a single platform. It is also possible for threat actors to use ChatGPT in their weaponisation, delivery and exploitation stages, hence fast-tracking their attack chain. 

Finding opportunities in the pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many companies were forced to adapt and expedite their digitalisation journey for survival. As the reliance on digital platforms and networks grew intensively, the importance of cybersecurity also increased exponentially. During the lockdown period and the transition to remote work arrangement, I realised that a unique opportunity arises. As some people might perceive this time as a setback, I chose to view it as a chance to further invest in my personal growth and learning. 

With the reclaimed time from commuting and social engagement, I committed myself to various courses, dedicating weekends, and free hours to further upskill myself and broaden my portfolio. In addition to cybersecurity-related courses, I also explored other areas such as attending mindfulness workshops which helped to improve myself as an individual too. By doing this, I believe that I can position myself to thrive in the new norm and possibly open myself to more opportunities when the pandemic ends. 

Seek out the silver lining and invest in yourself
My journey in cybersecurity, fuelled by a strong belief in lifelong learning, has been transformative. Besides shaping my skill set and broadening my perspective, it has also empowered me to make a difference in safeguarding digital systems and data.  
By embracing opportunities, investing in myself, and prioritising continuous learning, I have grown both personally and professionally. As I reflect upon my journey, I am more convinced of the profound impact continuous learning has on our lives. 

I encourage everyone, regardless of the field or industry you come from, to embark on your own journey of growth and transformation. Even during challenging times, it is essential to constantly embrace opportunities and seek out the silver lining behind them. Most importantly, invest in yourself and prioritise continuous learning as a pathway to success, self-fulfilment and making a positive impact in your role. 

To my fellow cybersecurity practitioners, I encourage all to foster a collaborative and supportive mindset by sharing our knowledge and experiences whenever possible. Additionally, we should constantly nurture the next generation to ensure a robust pool of cybersecurity experts.
 
Let us embark on this lifelong learning journey together, where each step propels us closer to unlocking our full potential.

Photo Credit: NTUC LearningHub

Amidst the current geo-economic landscape and digital age, NTUC LearningHub upholds its mission of “Every Worker a Better Worker, Every Job a Better Job, and Every Company a Better Company”, by supporting and empowering workers and businesses through relevant and in-demand skills training.

Our CEO, Mr Jeremy Ong, was invited to share his insights in a special feature article by JobStreet Singapore, where he shared his outlook on the adult education and employment landscape in Singapore, as well as the role NTUC LearningHub plays in championing lifelong learning and employability.

He revealed that programming, data analysis, and agile are among the top courses and emphasised the importance of acquiring tech-lite skills and critical core skills (or soft skills) that are transferrable across job roles and industries. In empowering the workforce to cultivate a culture of lifelong learning, Mr Ong shared how the NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform (LXP) brings the “classroom into your pocket” such that time-pressed learners can continue to upskill and reskill at their own pace, anytime and anywhere.

Check out the full feature at: https://www.jobstreet.com.sg/career-resources/plan-your-career/conversation-ceo-ntuc-learninghub/

By Joe Leong, Product Manager, Core Skills Academy, NTUC LearningHub
 

In my previous role as a career coach, I have been fortunate enough to help many individuals achieve their career goals and improve their livelihoods. However, little did I know that becoming a career coach would positively impact my professional development and boost my confidence at the workplace.

I started my career in manufacturing, providing backend support for processes and machines. After nearly a decade, I found that relating to people was more my strength than working with machines, hence I pivoted to a career in recruitment. In the beginning, I found the job very challenging because I was not used to the competitive and stressful nature of a sales role. Thankfully, I had a great and understanding boss who coached and gave me much encouragement.

Struggling with imposter syndrome
As a career coach, my goal was to help people find meaningful jobs. While I was confident in the role, I had my own set of insecurities and doubts about my abilities. Internally I struggled with Imposter Syndrome when I could not see how my work translated into results that impacted others positively. This crippling feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt at times stopped me from embracing new challenges and possibilities.

Surprisingly, I was not the only one. Even famous individuals such as leaders, entrepreneurs and celebrities also struggled with Imposter Syndrome. These individuals have spoken publicly about their struggles, including Serena Williams, Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama, and even Albert Einstein. For Einstein, despite being acknowledged as one of history's finest physicists, reportedly battled feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt throughout his professional life.

Coaching others and myself
Over time, I learned to recognise and manage my own insecurities and self-doubt. As I started working more with my clients, I realised that I actually had a lot of valuable insights and experiences to share that could make a real difference in their lives. Helping others build confidence in their abilities and find clarity in their career goals, made me reflect on my own strengths and achievements. I started to recognise the unique value I brought to the table and how my own experiences and expertise could provide a learning platform for others.

In the process of coaching and understanding clients, I noticed patterns in their struggles and successes. I also gained a deeper understanding of the job market, the hiring process, and what employers seek in a candidate. I started to recognise the importance of lifelong learning, networking, personal branding, and possessing strong adaptive skills to ensure lifelong employability.

This newfound knowledge made me a better coach and opened the pathway towards gaining confidence as a professional coach. At the same time, I applied these insights and strategies to my own career, including proactively seeking out new opportunities to stretch myself beyond my comfort zone. For example, I enrolled in relevant online learnings to occupy my evenings, involving myself in volunteer work to widen my network and connecting and engaging with subject matter experts on LinkedIn.

Utilising coaching skills such as listening and asking questions, has increased my confidence through the positive feedback I received. Hearing kind words from clients who have found success in their careers after working with me has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that I have played a key role with coaching has given me a sense of pride in my own abilities.

Empowering others to coach
Even though I am no longer working as a career coach, I am privileged to be involved with coaching in another meaningful way with NTUC LearningHub where together with my team, we provide upskilling opportunities to current and aspiring coaches, managers and leaders, equipping them to help others be better individuals in life and at the workplace.

Coaching has not only allowed me to help others achieve their career goals, but it has positively impacted my professional development and career. Through my work with coaching, I have gained a deeper appreciation of its benefits for others and myself. Most importantly, I have learned to recognise and appreciate my own strengths and achievements, which have all made me a more confident and empowered professional.

By Isa Nasser, Director of Consumer Sales at NTUC LearningHub

From a boy who was often disciplined for not focusing on his studies, Isa shares his journey from his schooling days, a conversation that changed his life, and how he never stops learning, even as an accomplished tech professional.

Didn’t do well for O-Levels
Growing up, I attended a neighbourhood school, where I was surrounded by many passionate teachers. As a child, I wasn't particularly excited about learning, and was often disciplined for not completing my revisions. However, with the encouragement of my teachers and mother, I managed to do well in school. The incredible support system helped me get into Victoria School – my first-choice secondary school.

Victoria School was known for its talented and high-calibre educators. Unfortunately, during my time there, I found myself unable to do well academically. The culprit? Gaming. I was distracted by a first-person shooting game that was released during my secondary school years. I became obsessed with it, and as a result, was unable to focus on my studies. Due to my poor ‘O’ Level results, I was not able to gain admission to the Junior College of my choice and was instead admitted to a local polytechnic.

At first, I felt disappointed and let down by my academic performance. Despite that, I chose to focus on the positives of polytechnic education, such as its vibrant campus life and hands-on learning experience. The course was not in vain, as I soon discovered my first passion in robotics and mechatronics. I worked hard, and it paid off. Back in those days, it was extremely difficult for someone from a polytechnic to gain admission to a local university, so when I was offered admission to the National University of Singapore (NUS), I was thrilled!

How a ‘C student’ inspired me
The transition to university, however, was a challenge. There was a gap between what I had learned in polytechnic and what was taught in university. At first, I felt that university was too demanding for me, and I wondered if I could even complete my degree.

But the direction of my entire life was transformed by a single, chance conversation.

To complete a particularly difficult C++ programming assignment, I sought the assistance of a friend enrolled in NUS' computer science programme. Afterwards, I asked him how well he had performed in his modules. His answer surprised me. While he scored well in most of his courses, he got Cs in some.

As a result, I began to wonder, "How can such a smart individual like him get Cs?" He explained to me that he studies harder for topics that interest him, and less for ones that do not. This strategy seemed like a terrible way to earn a degree. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that there was more to it. Focusing on topics he was passionate about gave my friend an endless motivation and energy to learn.

I had an epiphany. I had been looking at my studies the wrong way. Instead of viewing courses as obstacles, I should have thought of them as knowledge brought to us by academic giants of the past. I needed to appreciate those past discoveries, put myself in the shoes of the inventors, and not take natural phenomena for granted. This change in mindset fuelled my future successes and taught me not to worry about failures.

With a renewed attitude and outlook on learning, I began to expand my knowledge beyond what was taught at university. I have, for example, used MATLAB to develop artificial intelligence that can tune electric motors on my own initiative, something beyond what was taught. Even though I was not the top student in my class, I found myself enriched with most knowledge during that semester.

I carried this attitude into my professional life as well. Having worked as an electrical engineer in an automation company for a number of years, I joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic as a lecturer. To make learning effective for young adults, I had to learn pedagogical design. I taught myself how to use the Unity game engine, and utilised these 3D environments to develop educational games.

Following my stint at the polytechnic, I worked at a Robotics and Automation training academy where I was able to design a course on Industry 4.0 for the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) ULeap e-learning platform.

Receiving the Digital Training Transformation award from then NTUC Secretary-General Mr Chan Chun Sing

My team and I even won the Digital Training Transformation award, which I received from then NTUC Secretary-General Mr Chan Chun Sing. I reflected on how my gaming addiction, which impeded my studies then, was now the driving force behind my ability to create impactful games.

The skills I acquired at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Singapore Institute of Technology (University of Glasgow) as a lecturer, along with my coding expertise, enabled me to secure a position at NTUC LearningHub, a continuing education and training provider. Here I am able to utilise both my teaching and technical skills to help others upskill and pursue their interests in technology.

Discovering your interests through lifelong learning
Even today, I am always learning new skills, such as using Python to automate trades based on stock market data. I believe that one should never stop learning, and that the key to success is to find what interests you and dive deep into it. That's what I did, and it has led me to a fulfilling career and a lifetime of continuous learning.

My journey has been a testament to the importance of upskilling. It is not about being the best, but about being the best version of yourself. You should not be satisfied with what you already know and instead, always strive to learn more. And that's what I want to inspire others to do – never stop learning, growing, and challenging themselves.

Upskilling is more than just increasing your employability, it will increase your value as a person. It will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to create a meaningful and fulfilling life. So, I encourage everyone out there to take the time to explore their interests and find their passions. It's never too late to start, and the rewards are boundless.

Featured guest: Clayton Jones, Managing Director, APAC, ISC2

Cybersecurity is a critical component of business strategy for organisations of all sizes and across sectors due to the rise of the digital economy where organisations embark on digital transformation and intensify their efforts in building a robust digital infrastructure.

In NTUC LearningHub's latest report on Cybersecurity, only 1 in 5 business leaders are prepared to manage cybersecurity threats. With a lack of specialised skilled talent within the organisation (52%), resources to train workforce (52%), and basic cybersecurity knowledge among employees (49%) being the top challenge in ensuring cybersecurity. 

In this episode, we speak with Clayton Jones, who represents ISC2, the world's leading member association for cybersecurity professionals. We discuss his thoughts on the current threats in cybersecurity and what companies can do to mitigate the shortage of skilled professionals in the security sector.  

Find out more about the report on Cybersecurity to uncover the latest insights and trends with NTUC LearningHub’s research reports here.

Featured guest: A M Aditya, Co-founder and CTO at Xaltius & Xaltius Academy

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted various sectors by automating routine tasks and augmenting human decision-making processes. Simultaneously, the advent of generative AI technologies, with the capability to create content, images, video, code and music, has brought forth a new paradigm of creativity and productivity.

In NTUC LearningHub's latest report on Future Jobs and Skills, business leaders generally hold positive views towards AI and Generative AI technologies. However, their concerns about security, legal and ethical issues remain in dealing with data. In this episode, we speak with data scientist AM Aditya to gain insights into the world of data science. 

Find out more about the report on Future Jobs and Skills to uncover the latest insights and trends with NTUC LearningHub’s research reports here.

Featured guest: Koh Thong Boon, Head for Digital Transformation Solutions, NTUC LearningHub

Digital transformation (DT) involves people, processes, and technology working together. In NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB)'s latest report on Digital Transformation, 84% of business leaders believe external experts are necessary to analyse workforce skills gaps. Given that every company has its unique requirements, customisation is key. With the help of NTUC LHUB's expertise, businesses can create personalised learning solutions tailored to their needs. To gain further insight into the DT solutions offered by NTUC LHUB, we had the pleasure of interviewing Koh Thong Boon, Head of Digital Transformation Solutions at NTUC LHUB.

Find out more about the report on Digital Transformation and uncover the latest insights and trends with NTUC LearningHub’s research reports here.

Featured guests: James Ng, Managing Director, BYD Singapore & Philippines and Roger Chan, Director of Engineering, BYD Singapore.

Singapore is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030. To achieve this goal, the automotive industry will shift towards electric vehicles. This transition requires workers in the automotive industry to acquire new competencies and skills related to electric vehicle maintenance and servicing. Upskilling and reskilling are crucial for workers to be job-ready when the momentum picks up. 

We spoke with James Ng, the Managing Director for Singapore and Philippines at electric automaker BYD, and Roger Chan, the Director of Engineering. During our conversation, we discussed the challenges that come with adopting electric vehicles, such as the need for charging infrastructure, and the training opportunities available for automotive workers as Singapore transitions to cleaner energy sources.

Find out more about the report on electric vehicles and uncover the latest insights and trends with NTUC LearningHub’s research reports here.

Featured guests: Siddharth Jain, Chief Creative Director, Playware Studios and LDR Technology, and Shannon Tan, Head of Strategic Initiatives, LDR Technology.

The metaverse has been getting much buzz in recent years. A slow but growing number of consumers and brands are getting on board. As it evolves, it will improve work collaboration, expand the possibilities for learning and training, and bring a new experience in virtual interactions that is more immersive, diverse and innovative.

We spoke to Siddharth Jain and Shannon Tan recently and find out their views on the metaverse, and the many exciting possibilities it presents for businesses and organisations.

Find out more about the metaverse and uncover the latest insights and trends with NTUC LearningHub’s research reports here.

 Digitalisation Cannot Truly Replace You

A new way of organisation workflow has led to extraordinary results and drastic improvements; Design Thinking has fast become a trusted approach for employees to be innovative and creative in their work. Some of the world's leading brands, such as Apple, Google and Samsung have rapidly adopted the Design Thinking approach, and it is currently being taught at some of the world's foremost universities like Harvard and MIT[1].

A Beginner's Guide to the Design Thinking Process

1. Empathise The first stage of Design Thinking involves getting to know your end-users and their experiences in detail. This stage is crucial for you to start developing truly effective human-centric solutions. Discover how you can conduct tasks to execute the right strategies and tactics in your work. Course Title: The Design Thinking Process: Empathise Course Provider: Vado Format: Interactive	​
​	2. Define This stage is about your users' needs, the problems they face, and the insights you stand to gain. Learn how to define and specify the exact issues and challenges you will face at work in order to brainstorm appropriate solutions. Course Title: The Design Thinking Process: Define Course Provider: Vado  Format: Interactive
3. Ideate Ideate feeds off the information gathered in the previous two stages in order to manifest potential solutions. In this stage, you will challenge assumptions and create innovative ideas. Take authority over your ideas, solutions and overcome convention. Course Title: The Design Thinking Process: Ideate Course Provider: Vado  Format: Interactive	​
​	4. Prototype This is the stage where your creative solutions start to take shape. Learn to bring your ideas to life without having to invest large amounts of time and resources to build completed versions of your plan. Course Title: The Design Thinking Process: Prototype Course Provider: Vado  Format: Interactive
5. Test The final stage is all about placing your ideas into the hands of your users. Observe the effectiveness of your creative solutions and experience the joy and satisfaction of achievement. Course Title: The Design Thinking Process: Test Course Provider: Vado  Format: Interactive	​

 

Design Thinking allows you to gain different perspectives to various workplace issues, boosting your creativity and critical problem-solving skills. Gain access to over 75,000 courses on LHUB GO Infinity to lay down a strong foundation and implement a robust framework for yourself with Design Thinking. To learn more about LHUB GO Infinity, or sign up for a free trial, visit: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/lhub-go/