In the fast-moving city-state of Singapore, where tradition meets innovation, the only question is no longer whether learning & development (L&D) will change, but how fast. As Singapore speeds up its digital transformation, it is becoming increasingly clear that businesses will have to completely rethink their approach to upskilling and reskilling the workforce. As the eLearning market is expected to grow enormously, coupled with our reliance on AI skills, we are seeing L&D in Singapore transform significantly.
This serves as a key framework to navigating this important change. We will look at the main trends that will shape the future of L&D, the challenges organizations need to handle, as well as some simple activities and tools to stay on the cutting edge of L&D.
Table of Contents
Singapore’s L&D Market Overview
Singapore, a leader in Southeast Asia’s economic expansion, is witnessing significant transformations in its eLearning sector. The Singapore eLearning market, valued at US$792.97 million in 2019, is projected to soar to US$2,228.74 million by 2027. Driven by advancements in technology and government initiatives like the “Smart Nation” program, Singapore’s commitment to lifelong learning is shaping its future. This commitment is reflected in the rapid growth of the eLearning market, driven by an increasing demand for digital learning solutions that align with the fast-paced changes in the work environment.
Key Trends Shaping L&D in Singapore
1. Growing Professional Ambition
Singaporean employees have more career development drives. Results of the Randstad Workmonitor 2024 survey show that 40% of employees consider themselves ambitious where their careers are concerned; meanwhile, 68% of them (around 2 in 3) are looking for a greater share of management responsibilities. This shift certainly illustrates an increasing appetite for L&D opportunities that support career mobility for employees at both firm and organization levels.
2. Framework Fostering Learning
Learning and building skills is also emerging as a powerful contributor to career mobility. The Great Learning Survey 2023 uncovered that 84% of professionals see upskilling as important or critical, with the potential to grow the region’s GDP by 4% and create 676,000 jobs by 2030. This emphasis on skills, supports a new wave of ‘skills-first’ hiring practices in which talent acquisition and L&D professionals work closer to ensure that employees acquire the skills and competencies needed for a brighter future.
3. Digital Skill Demand
Digital transformation is changing the ecosystem of organizations throughout Singapore. To provide an estimate of the size of the burgeoning digital economy, at the beginning of 2024, Singapore will report 5.79 million total internet users, along with a respective internet penetration rate of 96.0 per cent. In order to facilitate that economic potential, there will need to be a priority of spending on digital skill learning programs and a commitment to a culture of continuous learning and innovation. Digital transformation is impacting organizations throughout Singapore.
4. Developing an AI-Ready Workforce
Singapore is ideally poised for AI adoption, given its ranking on the IMF’s AI Preparedness Index (AIPI), which evaluates AI readiness on criteria that include digital birth infrastructure (human capital, labour market policies, innovation and economic integration and regulation). While Singapore performs well against these criteria, it is committed to building digital infrastructures and innovating around emerging AI technologies.
While the digital environment continues to evolve, Singaporean knowledge workers are increasingly experimenting with AI to facilitate their own creativity. Citing the 2024 Work Trends Index, 84% of workers in Knowledge-Intensive Worker positions are leveraging AI to augment creative output, often without waiting for a defined vision or roadmap from their organization on how AI will be adopted. Such an example is indicative of a more global welcoming of AI technologies into the workplace. Supporting this broader trend will require a community effort to build AI-ready workforces, where industry stakeholders, educational institutions and the government all develop effective skilling programs and innovative scaling, training and awareness initiatives.
Key Skilling Initiatives in Singapore
- Singapore has launched several initiatives to support workforce development.
- SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) aims to upskill workers and align their skills with industry demands.
- Additionally, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is investing S$400 million in skills training for finance professionals, highlighting a commitment to building a future-ready workforce.
L&D Challenges in Singapore
1. Job Insecurity and the Need for Upskilling
The issue of job insecurity looms large, with 42% of male workers and 34% of female workers being unsure whether they will continue working at their organizations. Job insecurity is a powerful motivator for reflective thinking about the necessity for continuous upskilling in order to stay competitive in the workforce. This indicates that organizations must become intentional in looking after their employees, supporting and developing them within a positive workplace culture that encourages job satisfaction and retention.
2. The High Cost of Training
The financial burden of training remains a challenge for many organizations in Singapore, with 39% of organizations indicating that they have trouble accommodating the cost of staff training. Organizations will need innovative solutions to continue exploring new training solutions and opportunities without breaking their budgets too severely. However, thoughtful strategies for investing in employee learning on a budget through reasonable technology and effective learning methods can all be helpful in reaching this goal.
Also Read:- Ministry of Manpower latest updates 2025
Actionable Recommendations for L&D Leaders
Embrace Data Literacy and Analytics
Developing data literacy within L&D professionals enables the alignment of learning programs to achieve strategic business objectives more effectively.
Build Relevant Metrics
Instead of relying on vanity metrics, businesses should focus on relevant metrics aligned with business results, such as productivity and performance.
Promote Continuous Learning
Cultivating a culture of continuous learning should promote microlearning and personalized learning experiences that support problem-solving.
Facilitate Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
For large-scale upskilling to be successful, it is essential for industry leaders, educational institutions, and government institutions to partner to develop programs.
Invest in Learning Technologies
Educational institutions should take advantage of AI technology based learning platforms, VR training, and gamified learning to increase engagement, as well as learning enjoyment and effectiveness.
Learn more about “Best Practices of Gamification for Employee Learning”
Measure ROI and Impact
Implement robust mechanisms to measure the ROI of L&D initiatives and use data analytics to optimize future investments.
Success Story: Mediacorp’s Transformation with Disprz
Mediacorp, Singapore’s largest media network, faced challenges with its sales training. The company needed a digital-first solution to enhance productivity and efficiency. By adopting Disprz LMS, Mediacorp transitioned from outdated offline systems to an online platform that provided a centralized content repository, gamification tools, and robust analytics. This transition resulted in a 73% increase in learning hours and a 62% course completion rate, significantly boosting sales performance.
Conclusion
The L&D landscape in Singapore is evolving rapidly, driven by digital transformation and the growing need for advanced skills. Addressing the challenges of job insecurity, high training costs, and the need for customized training programs requires a transformative approach. By leveraging AI-powered learning platforms like Disprz, organizations can effectively bridge skill gaps, foster continuous learning, and stay ahead in the competitive market.
To get detailed insights on the L&D transformation in Singapore, access the comprehensive purple paper here.
To explore how Disprz can help your organization navigate these challenges and enhance your L&D strategies, schedule a demo today!
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