Setting New Year’s resolutions, a yearly routine we are all familiar with as we embark on a new year. More often than not, we associate the new year with a clean slate, a reset, and endless possibilities of positive change. 2022 has already begun and if you are still struggling to come up with a good new year’s resolution, here’s why you should make upskilling a priority this new year.
1. Stay Ahead of Change
If anything, the past two years of living with COVID-19 has taught us that life can change very quickly and unpredictably. The pandemic has disrupted industries, displaced workers, transformed business models, and caused structural shifts in labour markets. For many, constant change at the workplace – different ways of working and demands of new skills – is now an ongoing occurrence. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic remains at the top of our minds, we should not forget that we have always lived in an uncertain world that is defined by constant change. Back in 2017, the McKinsey Global Institute estimated that between 400 million to 800 million individuals from around the world would find themselves displaced by technologies such as automation and would be looking for new jobs by 2030. The future is a big uncertainty to navigate, which makes learning an extremely crucial endeavour. Therefore, it is imperative that we continuously upskill to equip ourselves with the right skills and knowledge to meet the fast-evolving industry demands and stay ahead of the changes that come our way.
2. Create Opportunities for Career Advancements
Experts are agreeing that a university degree is no longer sufficient in the future of work. There was a time when a degree would have guaranteed a good career and social advancement. But in this day and age whereby a degree is commonplace, employers are looking above and beyond for potential employees with both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. As former Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung said, “Skills are what carry a premium now, and skills need to be honed throughout our lifetimes ... All of us need to keep learning and deepening our skills throughout our lives”. Upskilling allows you to set yourself apart from your competition, boosts your employability, and ensures that you are ready for the future of work. As you embrace continuous learning as an integral part of your professional development, your broader skill set makes you more versatile to transition into different roles and opens doors to better opportunities for career advancement. It also gives you the freedom to choose from new career paths or even chart your own ones. Oftentimes, your willingness to learn and better yourself is an admirable and attractive trait to employers.
3. Sharpen Soft Skills
Soft skills are non-technical skills that influence how well you work and interact with others. From communication to creativity to analytical thinking, soft skills are important in every facet of our lives. At the workplace, employers are starting to realise that soft skills are equally, if not more valuable than technical skills. According to research by international recruitment firm Korn Kerry Focus, 92% of HR leaders view soft skills as crucial in a globalising economy. In fact, soft skills are now recognised as the key skills needed to thrive, be it in a growing or sluggish economy. With the increased emphasis, SkillsFuture Singapore consulted with local industries in 2019 to identify and formulate Critical Core Skills that workplaces deem most essential. While soft skills are harder to evaluate, define and measure, they can still be learnt and developed. As with hard skills, you can hone and develop your soft skills by attending relevant courses and programmes offered by training providers like SMU Academy.
4. The Mind-Body Benefits of Learning
Overall, the benefits of developing yourself are broad. Beyond professional development, learning offers tremendous benefits to the mind and health. As you actively pursue new knowledge and challenge yourself in different ways, you keep your mind engaged and sharp by activating processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them. Apart from being good for your mind, learning is a key ingredient to joy and achievement. A study by Oxford University found that when people participate in continuing education programmes, they improve their mental and physical health and report a greater positive impact on their well-being. Research also shows that picking up a new skill, gathering new information, or even seeking out intellectual challenges can help develop feelings of productivity and growth, which alleviates feelings of stress.
In 2022…
Upskilling will continue to be vital for many organisations and individuals. If you have decided to make upskilling a priority in 2022, then you will want to research the best possible courses that fit your professional development goals, personal interests, as well as your schedule. SMU Academy offers a wide variety of carefully curated courses – ranging from emerging technologies to health and wellness to business management – all taught by expert leaders in their respective fields. Stay curious, seek expanded knowledge, and never stop learning. Seize this opportunity and make upskilling your priority with SMU Academy today.
