Employers urged to form Company Training Committees

Employers across Singapore are being urged to establish Company Training Committees (CTC) to support the growth and development of employees.

The development of CTCs would also support business transformation, which can lead to company-initiated training and skills upgrading for workers, according to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

"NTUC is here to support your company and workers in this journey," said NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Tan during the recent Human Capital Singapore-Workforce Singapore Masterclass.

The statement came after employee participation in company-initiated training declined in the past year, according to the NTUC LearningHub's State of Workplace Learning Report.

The findings showed that out of 73% of employees wanting to join company-offered training, 26% were unable to do so due to lack of time (52%) and heavy workload (45%).

Only 78% of the respondents also believe that their employers offered relevant training in 2022, according to the report.

In urging employers to initiate CTCs with the NTUC, Tan pointed out that having training topics that meet job demands would further encourage further participation.

"Through NTUC's #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations, we understand that employees are more prepared to go for training if they were initiated by employers, [especially] when training is for the purpose of meeting specific job demands within the company and with better assurance of support and wage outcomes," Tan said as quoted in a media release.

The remarks also came amid growing demand for data training in Singapore, where employers and employees see a major disconnect.

Findings from Tableau revealed that only 37% of employees believe they are provided with needed data skills, while 78% of decision-makers are under the impression that they are successful in providing this regard.

Pay attention to 'high-growth areas'

Meanwhile, Tan also encouraged employers to "pay attention to high-growth areas," including the aspirations of young employees and shifts in workplace culture and norms, to remain sustainable.

"We need to review our manpower strategies and ensure that we are aligned with the in-demand skills of high growth sectors, aspirations of young workers and the new organisational culture, Tan said.

According to the official, employers need to engage with younger workers and accept that organisation culture has changed since the onset of COVID-19.

Recent research from the Institute of Policy Studies revealed that 53% of employees aged between 21 and 34 would accept a lesser-paying or lesser work role to benefit their family or personal life.