The chances are that, as a working adult in Singapore, you will have at least heard of the government’s SkillsFuture initiative, if not already made use of it to take up courses. You might also be familiar now with the importance of upskilling and continuing to learn throughout one’s career in order to remain relevant even as the job market undergoes its cyclical transformations.
But it’s one thing for mid-career professionals to acquire future-ready skills now that will set them up for success in the immediate future, and quite another to prepare for a more distant future 20 years away when many changes we cannot predict now may have taken place.
This is the future, and the future job market, that today’s children have to get ready for. Despite this uncertainty, however, there are some skills that we can reasonably expect to be relevant no matter what form your child’s future job takes.
Unlike the more advanced content mid-career professionals have to learn, these are future-proof skills that your child can start developing today, and that will come in useful even in the course of his or her studies.
Here are 4 skills that The Learning Lab considers essential.
1) Learning to Lead
Leaders are needed in nearly every setting where there are human beings, regardless of the industry, job scope or role.
Put a group of people together to get something done, and you will inevitably find someone who takes the lead in organising the group, delegating tasks and making sure everyone stays on track.
Leadership is one of the qualities that the working world deems most important for progression and success.
While leadership comes easier and more naturally to some rather than others, the fact is that even those who would ordinarily not choose to lead will be expected to do so at some point.
For example, a child who is quiet and unassuming by nature may find him or herself in a project group where the other members are even shyer and more unassertive.
The project still has to be done, and someone needs to lead! The good news is that leadership skills can be learnt and acquired. A large part of this involves making the effort to expose your child to situations where he or she has to flex the ‘leadership muscle’, and giving him or her the confidence to speak up and get heard.
2) Learning to Get Along with Others
At the same time, we also know that it’s ridiculous to expect every person in a group to be a leader, simply because no one would be able to agree on anything. Knowing when to step up to lead is just one skill among the repertoire of social skills your child will need to thrive as an adult.
There will equally be many situations in the future, for one, when your child will be expected to follow instructions and be a good team player.
Unnecessarily rocking the boat in a vain attempt to “take the lead” may end up being counter-productive instead, such as when one is just starting out in one’s career at the most junior position and at the mercy of bosses who may not take kindly to being challenged by the new recruit.
Take the concept of the “glue guy” in team sports, for instance — this is a player who may not be the most talented or outstanding but possesses an intangible knack for helping everyone get along, including the team’s more abrasive individuals.
These individuals have skills that are also appreciated and valued in the workplace. Whether or not your child is able to make friends and get along may not seem the most important thing to look out for now compared to academics or CCAs, but it is a foundational skill that will continue to be relevant when he or she grows up.
3) Digital Literacy
You may have noticed a theme up to this point: future-proof skills generally tend to be softer skills. But digital literacy is without a doubt a hard skill that will still be relevant two decades from now.
Whatever the technological changes that will take place in the future, and whatever their impact on future jobs, employers will still need people who know how to build, operate and maintain the software systems that lie at the heart of their businesses.
What this means is that any time and effort your child invests now in learning how to code, think computationally, or understanding the basic rules of data and statistics will almost certainly pay off in the long run.
And while children today are widely spoken of as digital natives, being a digital native - being intimately familiar with the most widely-used digital platforms and interfaces — is not equivalent to being digitally literate and, eventually, employable.
Digital platforms can become redundant, replaced by newer and more compelling products. When that happens, the digitally literate are best placed to make the transition smoothly. As a parent, you should be aware of this distinction and take steps to make sure your child acquires this important skill.
4) Learning to Keep Learning
Finally, the one skill or quality that your child will need no matter what form the future takes is the capacity to maintain a flexible mindset and always be willing to keep learning.
This is easy now when everything is new and your child’s mind is soaking up knowledge and content like a sponge does water. But it becomes progressively harder the older one gets, a phenomenon which you may have experienced acutely for yourself.
The most successful adults, however, are the ones who are able to do so, who are able to make mental pivots to seize the opportunities brought about by the new. By preparing your child to see change and innovation as a constant companion, you are preparing him or her to thrive.
Students can start early with these valuable math skills that they will be able to apply in life.
Preparing Your Child for Present and Future Success
Equipping your child with the skills to succeed in tomorrow’s world is a long-term process that is best started today. Parents have a key role to play in shaping this process.
At The Learning Lab, we believe that the acquisition of knowledge goes hand in hand with the mastery of important life skills when it comes to nurturing well-rounded and dynamic students who are excited to learn.
Click here to find out more about how we can impart many important lifelong skills to your child to build their future-readiness.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 / enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.