If you log onto MyCareersFuture, you will find a section that contains 2 rankings: jobs that need more applicants, and jobs that have many applicants. The jobs that are in-demand are very much aligned to the ranking that I highlighted in an earlier post on the top industries that are hiring for 2021.
Interestingly, none of the in-demand jobs are found in the other column – the in demand jobs are not seeing high rates of applications.
| Short of Applicants | Many Applicants |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | Project Manager |
| Chef | Administrative Assistant |
| Pre-Primary Education Teacher | Marketing Executive |
| Nurse | Accountant |
| Waiter | Human Resource Executive |
Although this feature on MyCareersFuture gives us a snapshot of the job search market, it does not give a bigger picture that answers 2 other questions: What are the in-demand skills not shown on this list? What are the skills that are in-demand for 2021, the year where we’ll see the post-pandemic recovery?
A quick search online returns quite a few articles that forecasts the skills that will be in demand in 2021. However, those are for the global audience. Therefore, here’s a curated list of skills that will be in demand for Singapore in 2021, factoring the unique situation and direction of Singapore’s economy.
UX Design
The pandemic forced people to remain in their homes. With that, online shopping has spiked. Even businesses that were not traditionally strong in this area also started to build their online presence. Building an online presence, setting up online payment and reservation systems, and analysing customers’ data are some of the functions that will lead to an increase in demand for talents. In fact, some of the skills mentioned in this post are listed in part due to this reason.
In a post which analysed the best SGUnited programmes, I had mentioned that that looking at courses corresponding to the demand of the industries is one thing, and finding the courses that are overlooked by learners is another. The same can be applied in the case of in demand skills.
Currently, there are thousands of Singaporeans displaced the pandemic, as such, they’re also looking for opportunities to stand out. Taking up courses for one of these in-demand skills is one of them. Therefore, it will also be wise to avoid ultra popular courses that will churn out streams of graduates – your competitors for jobs a few months down the road.
One of those courses are in the user experience (UX) design.
As its name suggests, UX design focuses on creating a good user experience. Unlike user interface design, UX design is a broader field that focuses on the processes and covers more areas like search engine optimisation and after sales services.
Thanks to Singaporeans’ traditional (and sometimes negative) attitude towards non-technical courses, UX design is shunned by Singaporeans. Perhaps the word “design” in its name was to blame, despite the rather technical nature of the skills set. This is what makes UX design a skill that is highly in demand, but faces shortages in talents.
Read Also: Which Industries in Singapore Are Short Of Talents?
But do not be fooled by its name. As mentioned, UX design covers many areas, which also include technical areas like search engine optimisation (SEO). If you think SEO is a non-technical field for people good in writing, you are wrong. Instead, SEO requires one to analyse web traffic in response to changes in on-page elements, often doing A/B testing (in layman terms, experimenting) to find the best way to optimise a website.
Creating a website that is fast and appealing to users is just one of the tasks of a UX designer.
Using the example of the digital transformation for a restaurant, a UX designer is also needed to overhaul mobile apps, payment processes, reservation and feedback systems, to name a few. In a competitive market like that in the Singapore F&B scene, any minor hiccup in the processes will mean loss revenue as customers can easily jump to another restaurant’s online ordering page.
Suggested Courses for UX Designer
With its high demand by companies, low popularity among learners and a wide range of applications, UX design is one skill set that you should seriously consider to acquire, if you are looking for new industries to build your career. Here are some of the courses that you can take to venture into the field. Due to the wide range of areas covered by UX design, most of them are long courses that lead to qualifications like Specialist Diplomas.
| Course Title | Training Provider | Course Fee | Course Duration | Remark | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to User Experience Design | Republic Polytechnic Academy for Continuing Education | $545.70 | 2 days(Full time) | – | https://www.rp.edu.sg/ace/short-course/Detail/introduction-to-user-experience-design |
| Specialist Diploma in User Experience & Digital Product Design | Singapore Polytechnic | $5,572.56 | 1 year(Part time) | – | https://www.sp.edu.sg/pace/courses/course-type/part-time-and-post-diplomas/ofr_ap/specialist-diploma-in-user-experience-and-digital-product-design |
| Intro To User Experience Design | Smartcademy | $2,500 | 7 days (3 hrs per day) | No experience required | https://smartcademy.sg/intro-to-user-experience-design/ |
| Specialist Diploma in User Experience for Infocomm Technology | Republic Polytechnic Academy for Continuing Education & Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) | $10,523.68 | 1 year (Part time) | You get 2 certificates from 2 reputable schools in Singapore | https://www.rp.edu.sg/ace/course-summary/Detail/specialist-diploma-in-user-experience-for-infocomm-technology |
Artificial Intelligence AI
I have spoken in a few articles how artificial intelligence (AI) will give companies an edge over their competition.
Cleaning companies, facing a perpetual shortage of talents due to Singaporeans’ unwillingness to do the job, are already turning to technology to meet their customers’ needs.
Pre-pandemic, only the big boys like Changi Airport used automated robots to clean premises. With Singaporeans being more aware and demanding for public hygiene, mass market shopping malls and even restaurants are hard pressed to invest in these robots – simply because there isn’t enough labour to fill these cleaning positions.
Not only must the robot cleaners be able to do cleaning on their own, they have to be intelligent enough to avoid colliding with customers, detect areas that need cleaning and analyze the dirty areas to determine what cleaning methods to employ.
The above sounds like a tall order for a robot cleaner now, but it will be possible when the robots are trained using AI. And the company that’s able to roll out something that’s clever enough for companies to deploy them at a cheap and fast rate would win.
Using cleaning robots in public areas are just one of the many areas of applications for AI. Self-driving cars, robot window cleaners, robot pets to keep patients happy and improve their recovery rates, detecting fights or shoplifting through analyzing CCTV images… the list goes on.
Shouldn’t you hop on to the AI wagon now and lead the wave when the technology is fully developed and deployed in businesses?
Suggested Courses for Artificial Intelligence
Unlike UX design. AI courses are plentiful in Singapore. There are many short courses that provides foundational training in one of the many specialisations of AI. It will be good to shop around these courses, to find out what specialisation suits you, before enrolling for the long courses.
| Course Title | Training Provider | Course Fee | Course Duration | Remark | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence in Business | IBM Singapore | $1,284 | 2 days | Focuses on IBM’s AI products, but it also means direct application for your learning | https://webibmcourse.mybluemix.net/AICourse#content |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | Singapore University of Technology and Design | $963 | 1 day | SUTD is the first university in Singapore to offer a degree in AI | https://www.sutd.edu.sg/Education/Academy/Our-Offerings/SkillsFuture-Series-Courses/Data-Analytics/Introduction-to-Artificial-Intelligence |
| Artificial Intelligence Basics for Beginners | Tertiary Courses | $265.36 | 1 day | https://www.tertiarycourses.com.sg/artificial-intelligence-basics-for-beginners.html | |
| Top AI Skills to Learn – Introduction to AI (Basic) | Nanyang Technological University Centre for Professional and Continuing Education | $642.00 | 1 day | http://pace.ntu.edu.sg/LifelongLearning/PDP/Pages/CourseDetail.aspx?EventId=1132c650-bf2f-4e82-a07f-0ce3225fc7b2 |
Data Analysis
AI is always associated with data analysis. Indeed, without sufficient data to teach the machines, AI would not know how to “think” on its own.
At the same time, data analysis is not just useful for AI. Imagine a tree with data analysis sitting at the trunk and branching into applications like AI, digital marketing (to analyse target audience’s online behaviour), business development (to analyse potential markets to venture into and understand customer receptivity), customer service (to understand customer preference and improve brand loyalty), logistics (to shorten delivery times and achieve just-in-time delivery)… etc.
The best thing about data analysis is that, if you have been doing an admin job, you would most likely have done data analytics in its very basic form.
Sorting invoices, sorting excel tables, balancing accounts, deciding when to place orders for supplies, booking a meeting room (How big should it be? How early should you book it? Who is most likely to do a meeting room swap with you?)… All of these activities would rely on you pulling out some data (whether in your mind or on your computer) to determine what actions to take.
Therefore, data analysis is closer to your life than you think! This makes the learning curve for this new field less steep compared to the others.
Even better, if you don’t get dizzy looking at numbers, you are already poised to deepen your skills in data analysis!
Suggested Courses for Data Analysis
| Course Title | Training Provider | Course Fee | Course Duration | Remark | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSQ – Data Analytics and Visualization with R | Tertiary Courses | $736.16 | 2 days | https://www.tertiarycourses.com.sg/wsq-data-analysis-visualization-r.html | |
| Data Analysis Fundamentals using Microsoft Excel (IBF) | NTUC LearningHub | $834.60 | 2 days | Good knowledge in Microsoft Excel; up to 95% funding by IBF | https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/course/data-analysis-fundamentals-using-microsoft-excel-ibf/ |
| Statistics and Data Analysis | Singapore Polytechnic | $695.50 | 2 days | Basic PC Literacy and GCE O Level Mathematics | https://www.sp.edu.sg/pace/courses/course-type/short-modular/open-for-register/statistics-and-data-analysis |
| Data Analysis with Python | Nanyang Polytechnic | $224.70 | 1 day | https://eservices.nyp.edu.sg/alls/course/cseDetails.jsp?id=CE1283 |
Cybersecurity
With all the reliance on technology to do our work, it’s no wonder that cybersecurity is also a growing market in Singapore. Yes, in case you’re not aware, researchers had demonstrated how easy it was to hack into a WiFi printer by flying a drone equipped with a mobile phone. So all the automated cleaning robots and food ordering apps are all potential honeypots for the unscrupulous.
Unfortunately, security, whether physical or cyber, is usually an afterthought (sometimes even after-incident-thought) by the companies.
That being said, the demand for cybersecurity professionals will still be there. Except that the demand will be lagging behind the aforementioned tech skills. This means that if you need more time to consider the career switch, or need more time to attend foundation courses for cybersecurity for python, you will still be able to “catch the train” that’s cybersecurity.
Like physical security, cybersecurity needs talents for different aspects. They need specialists to monitor systems in order to detect and “fight” breaches, specialists to do red-teaming (testing clients’ systems) or to conduct audits.
The most popular field is for auditing – it requires minimal technical knowledge, thereby attracting many non-technical career switchers. Therefore, if you have even a slight technical background or are comfortable working with computers, you should be looking at the less competitive areas like operation and red-teaming. Or, if you’re interested in research, there are teams that analysed consumer products to find vulnerabilities.
Suggested Courses for Cybersecurity
| Course Title | Training Provider | Course Fee | Course Duration | Remark | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | Singapore University of Social Sciences | $695.50 | 1 day | https://www.suss.edu.sg/courses/short-course/detail/cet102 | |
| Specialist Diploma in Information Security & Forensics | Temasek Polytechnic | $2,914.68 | 1 year | TP is one of the leading institutions in Cybersecurity training | https://www.tp.edu.sg/schools-and-courses/adult-learners/all-courses/part-time-diploma-post-diploma-courses/specialist-diploma-in-information-security-and-forensics.html |
| Cybersecurity for Business Managers | National University of Singapore | $3,210.00 | 3 days | https://executive-education.nus.edu.sg/programmes/cybersecurity-for-business-managers/ | |
| Cybersecurity Essentials | Nanyang Polytechnic | $642.00 | 2 days | https://eservices.nyp.edu.sg/alls/course/cseDetails.jsp?id=CI1212 |
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is one of the factors that are intertwined in the digital transformation that companies undertake. It will be useless if you overhaul your booking systems and client customisation, but people don’t know about it.
As opposed to common understanding, digital marketing is not sales. Instead, it is the process of attracting people online to your products and services, eventually leading them to the payment page.
In search engine marketing (which is part of digital marketing), it is said that there is so much competition online that, if your page does not provide what people want or is too confusing to navigate, then your potential clients will leave within a few seconds.
Therefore, a lot of effort in digital marketing will actually be spent on understanding the clients, to cultivate them using the conversion funnel, and then directing them to the payment page only when you are sure the clients want the product.
If this sounds like the usual marketing, you are right. The only difference is that this is conducted online. Because of the nature that it is online, many of the marketing research work is also conducted online. You will leverage on data analysis to find out which visuals attract clicks, which pages customers tend to stay longer, which parts of the pages do they linger and eventually click on (called heat maps) etc.
You will also leverage on AI to provide personalised responses to queries 24/7 (yes, it’s chatbots and you can also train chatbots to be more human-like) or to decide when to engage in re-marketing.
While a digital marketer need not be a data analysis or AI expert, you will need to be able to understand the features of the technology and how to use them to your advantage.
Therefore, while traditional marketers have an edge when transitioning to digital marketing, familiarity with technology and cross-functional “sense making” (to be able to see various systems in entirety and understand how they interact with each other) will help one differentiate the good digital marketers from the mediocre ones.
Suggested Courses for Digital Marketing
| Course Title | Training Provider | Course Fee | Course Duration | Remark | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Digital Marketing | Lithan Academy | $9,000 | 7 weeks | Hybrid of Full Time and Part Time learning | https://www.lithan.com/singapore/products/-/product/detail/view?productId=6613 |
| Foundation in Digital Marketing | Singapore University of Technology and Design | $3,745 | 5 days | Part of the ModularMaster in Strategic Digital Marketing programme | https://www.sutd.edu.sg/Education/Academy/Our-Offerings/ModularMasters/ModularMasters-in-Strategic-Digital-Marketing/Foundation-in-Digital-Marketing |
| Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing | Singapore Management University | $3,081.60 | 12 days | https://academy.smu.edu.sg/professional-certificate-digital-marketing-1771 | |
| Digital Marketing | Singapore Media Academy | $4,000.00 | 4 days | https://pd.mediaacademy.sg/nmt/dm |
Infocomm Media – Creative Media
Most of the skills mentioned above were quite tech-heavy – in a sense that people with good understanding of coding and programming will definitely have an edge in those fields. The creative media, however, focuses on a different type of tech-savvyness.
The stereotype has been that creative talents are bad in computers. But this depends on what computer usage you are referring to. They might not be interested in programming, but many creative talents today are capable of using software and hardware to develop their ideas. Therefore, creative media still requires one to be tech-savvy, but to be savvy in the front end consumer products.
This brings us to the critical downside of this specialisation. While one can be trained to use software, creativity can’t really be trained. Yes, you can be trained to use the colour wheel or the latest design elements used, but it does take a certain flair for one to be able to use those knowledge to create a compelling design.
That being said, this does not mean that the creative media pie is solely for those who are born creative. Different companies have different requirements; some prefer their brands to be design-heavy, while some prefer their assets to be more functional.
While companies can survive well with the aforementioned skills, investment into creative media will allow them to differentiate themselves from the competition. (Like in digital marketing, the right visuals will also attract the right customers) Therefore, you can be assured that companies that employ talents in creative media will definitely treat their staff well 🙂
Suggested Courses for Creative Media
| Course Title | Training Provider | Course Fee | Course Duration | Remark | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Making Online Content | Singapore Media Academy | $4,000.00 | 6 days | https://pd.mediaacademy.sg/ftv/moc |
SFDW
For those of you whose only interaction with “technology” was using your mobile phone, there’s always SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace (SFDW). The official description for SFDW on SkillsFuture Singapore’s website may seem fuzzy (“aims to equip Singaporeans with the mindset and basic functional skills to prepare for the future economy”), but this leads to a wide variety of courses being offered by different training providers.
For example, the SFDW course by IBM also touches on usage of simple apps like “Scratch”, which uses artificial intelligence to create games and animations. Adult learning stalwart NTUC LearningHub touches on cybersecurity, to allay the fears of using technology for beginners.
EIther way, the first step towards a career that’s in demand in 2021 has to start somewhere. SFDW is a good place to start if you are not someone who likes to jump into the deep end of the pool right from the start. If you start now, you should be able to complete a certificate in one of the courses mentioned above by the end of 2021, just in time for the full recovery from the pandemic!
Read More: Do Techies Really Earn Big Bucks?
Parting Words
Whether you have been displaced from your jobs due to the pandemic, or are worried about losing your job in these uncertain times, understanding the demands of employers for 2021 is key.
2021 is unique because we are emerging from the chaos resulting from the pandemic. Singaporeans are more conscious of public hygiene and about squeezing with others in public places, while businesses are responding to these “new awakening” of their customers.
Strategies for businesses to navigate the “new normal” usually involve leveraging a mix of UX Design, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing and Creative Media. As the saying goes, the best investment is investing in yourself. Deepening your skills (if you are already in one of these sectors) in these areas, or picking up these skills (if you’re looking for a total career switch) will be beneficial especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Do not be afraid if you are weak in tech knowledge. Start by taking a course in SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace, which aims to help Singapore build a nation of tech-savvy citizens. You can also take the time to look up on the in demand skills, take some of the short foundational courses, before diving into longer courses. After all, every Singaporean has at least $500 SkillsFuture Credits to spend (not to mention other training grants like UTAP from NTUC).
The key to emerging from the economic downturn would be the grit to survive. This is all done by taking small, but sure steps towards equipping yourself with the right skills.
If you find this post useful, do remember to Like and Share it with your friends. The courses listed in this post are mostly short courses. If you’re interested in longer courses that goes deeper into the skills in demand, do check out my other post introducing some of the best SGUnited courses available.
Till then, stay fighting!
If you’re actively looking for a job, you can also make use of another SkillsFuture Singapore initiative, Skills Passport. It can be found on the MySkillFuture portal, where you can send your prospective employers digital (and secure) copies of your academic qualifications and training certificates. Read more on how you can make use of Skills Passport to give your job search a boost.
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