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From the advent of 5G to the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), our world is changing more rapidly than ever and the next decade will call for a whole new set of skills. Here’s a list of our top predictions and how you can start preparing for them!

1. Data Analytics Skills

The uses for these insights are endless — from improving marketing, to providing better customer service and streamlining decision making. As Singapore remains committed to becoming a digital nation, more and more companies are beginning to overhaul operations to incorporate data analytics. Skillswise, that means global need for talented analysts will only continue to grow in the coming decade.

Recommended Course: Data Appreciation To Extract Business Value

2. Customer Experience (UX) Skills

As 4G gained traction in the 2010s, so did UX to ensure that digital products offer a pleasant experience for their users. But just as we are beginning to understand how UX works, things are about to be shaken up with the advent of 5G. Expected to cover at least half of Singapore by the end of 2022, 5G will offer speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second (that’s up to 100 times faster than its predecessor!).

The effects of 5G are far-reaching. On one hand, slow websites and low quality videos will no longer be acceptable. On the other hand, designers will be able to utilise high definition media and animated texts, fonts and graphics to engage users. Customers are interacting with businesses via digital touchpoints over physical channels more than ever, making it all the more important to create holistic and memorable experiences throughout the journey. With UX sitting at the heart of every business’ digital presence, there will be a growing demand for experts who can examine an organisation’s digital performance and ensure that it conforms to the latest industry standards and trends. As such, experienced UX practitioners will become indispensable to businesses in the decade to come.

Recommended Course: User Experience (UX) Foundation

3. Programming & Automation Skills

Humans are not designed to engage in menial or repetitive tasks. It stifles creativity and increases the occurrence of human error. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) however, offers workers the potential to free up time spent on daily repetitive tasks by creating their very own robot to do the work instead.

The worldwide market for RPA services is expected to reach $7.7 billion in 2020 and grow to $12 billion in 2023. While RPA robots can read and understand simple documents, machine learning and AI algorithms will enable them to draw data from multiple sources and deal with more complex processes. In saying that, RPA wasn’t designed to displace workers. Rather, they are only as effective and efficient as the person configuring them, so skilled practitioners will be more important than ever to programme robots as an additional help at the workplace.

Recommended Course: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Fundamentals

4. Cybersecurity Skills

As the world continues to rapidly increase its level of connectivity through 5G and IoT, so too will we see an increase in the occurrence and sophistication of cyberthreats. And while AI will help to identify and respond to new threats, the number of data breaches is expected to rise as hackers use these same methods to break into well-protected systems.

The bright side is that the pressures of cybersecurity will force organisations to make it a priority and give birth to a whole suite of new career opportunities. Research has shown that 53% of IT workers report that their company is short on cybersecurity skills. Recruitment agency Michael Page also surfaced cybersecurity as one of the key hiring trends in the technology, media and telecommunications sector. Technical and non-technical professionals alike will greatly benefit from an in-depth understanding of cybersecurity threats, opportunities and solutions.

Recommended Course: Cybint Cybersecurity Protection Programme

5. Project Management Skills

Good project management involves more than just keeping to timelines and ensuring expenditures are in check. It unites teams, facilitates effective communication and creates a clear vision for success. In the age of digital transformation, fundamental business processes are changing, and project management must adapt to keep up with the times.

Project management is also at the forefront of the budding DevOps trend. A combination of philosophies, practices and tools, DevOps enables organisations to deliver new and updated products more rapidly and frequently than traditional approaches.

While the velocity of delivery has traditionally been favoured as a metric of success, business value will become just as important and require talents who possess not only technical but business skills. Being proficient in project management will be an invaluable skill for a multitude of careers in 2020 and beyond.

Recommended Course: NICF – Project Management Professional (PMP)

This festive season, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of learning. Enjoy registration fee waiver on us for all December and January classes* to kickstart your learning journey!

NTUC LearningHub celebrates 15 years of transforming people through accessible and affordable education. Since 2004, we have fulfilled over 2.4 million training places and transformed over 21,000 organisations.

Regardless of collar, age or nationality, we are here to help you upgrade your skills to keep up with the rapidly changing workforce in 2020 and beyond. For more information on how we can help, talk to our friendly Course Consultants at NTUC Trade Union House, Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability, LHUB@Tampines Mall or any of our roadshows islandwide.

*Applicable for programmes/courses conducted in December 2019 and January 2020 only.