Businesses should always design jobs with the employee in mind, Finance Minister,
Heng Swee Keat, said during the keynote address at the
Singapore National Employers Federation forum yesterday (14 January).
He especially stressed the importance of aligning values to the millennial workforce and tapping into their idealism in order to boost the future economy.
“They have grown up in a First World Singapore and many see jobs as more than a way to pay their bills, as a purpose or a life mission,” he said.
Businesses should take advantage of programs such as the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn scheme to give graduates the relevant hands-on experience and help them develop themselves professionally.
“Students look towards organisations that have plans to develop them. They do not want dead-end jobs.”
However, he added that there was more to survival than simply providing the right training programs.
“Even organisations that conscientiously train and develop people may be at risk if their business models do not keep up with change.”
“While it is important to train staff on managing current tasks well, it is equally important for employers to think of developing capabilities to innovate and adapt business models to changing trends. People development and corporate development need to go hand in hand.”
Related stories:
Millennial employees in Singapore: What do they really want?
Is intergenerational conflict damaging your workforce?
Adapt or die – the new generation game
