Singapore firms see training as key to keep mature workers employed

Employers in Singapore believe that training is the most effective way to ensure mature workers remain employable - but not a lot are offering them.

Joint research from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Tsao Foundation revealed a "discrepancy" between perceived and practiced strategies among Singapore employers over how to ensure the employability of mature workers.

Despite employers acknowledging the importance of training, the report found that flexible work arrangements are overshadowing training initiatives.

This "discrepancy between perceived and practised strategies presents a threat to both mature workers and employers," according to both organisations.

And even if flexible work is important, both organisations underscored that training is a more comprehensive strategy to ensure mature workers remain employable.

Their findings stem from their research that was carried out between February and August 2023 among 600 C-suite level executives, hiring managers, and HR managers across 16 industries.

Recommendations for employee training

According to the NTUC and Tsao Foundation, there is a need to close the gap between knowing the importance of training and its adoption in the workplace.

"For companies to sustain competitiveness, they must ensure every worker, regardless of age, possesses the necessary knowledge and skills for the job — more so for mature workers," both organisations said in a statement.

"For workers to have a reasonable and realistic prospect of working longer, they must have the skills needed by the company. Otherwise, the job-skill mismatch will lead to lose-lose outcomes for both sides."

Employers must review existing training curriculums to ensure that content are sufficient and comprehensive, according to the organisations.

They also called for the enhancement of awareness campaigns and outreach programmes to educate employers on the value and capabilities of mature employees.

Further research underway on employability

To further address the matter, the NTUC and Tsao Foundation have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding that will see both carry out research on enhancing mature workers' employability.

Both organisations also committed to two sandbox projects to demonstrate the best practices related to mature workers.

"There are already two projects in the pipeline for us to anchor our advocacy with Tsao Foundation and NTUC," said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng in a statement.

"[These will] provide database for proper analysis and research, and for our universities to put in credible policy proposals to answer the external things that are going to challenge Singapore."