SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has released a report identifying 24 priority skills poised for high demand in the next two years, focusing on the digital economy, caregiving, and Industry 4.0. This report, the third edition of SSG’s annual Skills Demand for the Future Economy, aims to help individuals and businesses address skills gaps and make informed decisions regarding skill investments.

Among the highlighted skills are software design within the digital economy, effective client communication in caregiving, and equipment testing relevant to Industry 4.0. The identification of these skills was based on a statistical analysis of trends from 2012 to 2022, deliberately excluding emerging sectors like the green economy due to a lack of historical data.

Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Gan Siow Huang, emphasized the importance of the report in navigating a rapidly evolving skills landscape. It outlines opportunities and challenges presented by growth areas like technology, which can both alleviate labor shortages and displace jobs.

The report tracks the increasing demand for green skills, particularly in areas such as agri-food, sustainable finance, and carbon management, driven by regulatory requirements for climate-related disclosures. Notably, the most significant growth is seen in three transferable green skills: environmental and social governance, carbon footprint management, and sustainable manufacturing.

In the digital domain, skills related to data and artificial intelligence, including programming, big-data analytics, and application support, are in high demand. The caregiving sector has seen a rise in the need for holistic care skills and innovative business models to enhance service delivery.

SSG also analyzed changes in the composition of job skills in Singapore based on job postings from 2012 to 2022. This analysis revealed an increased employer demand for various applications and tools, reflecting Singapore’s digital transformation. The programming language Python and CSS languages emerged as top skills, indicating a shift in the tools sought by employers over the past decade.

Despite these changes, core skills such as communication have remained in high demand, underscoring the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling to maintain employability in a dynamic job market. Gan reassured workers that many skills remain evergreen as long as individuals commit to lifelong learning.

The report further explores career transition pathways for six key job roles, which comprise three-quarters of job postings from 2019 to 2022. While some transitions may require multiple steps, the report offers tools and guidance for career and skills development planning.

In addition, SSG is calling for partnerships with industry leaders to better understand evolving skills needs. The agency recently convened the first Green Skills Committee meeting to discuss sustainable skills development and has doubled the availability of green courses at institutes of higher learning this year. Furthermore, it aims to increase the number of SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes and refresh the SkillsFuture Series to align with industry needs.