Who will do my job while I’m learning? S’pore workers want more tech training

SINGAPORE – A lack of compensation and time off is the main reason workers here avoid tech training, a new survey has found.

The demand is there with 77 per cent of those polled wanting to receive formal learning for new workplace technology to stay current, work more efficiently and to advance their careers.

Workers say the best support would be user-friendly tools, structured training and safe environments for practice.

The insights came from the survey of 1,500 local employees conducted in May by job portal Indeed and The Straits Times.

It found that just 2 per cent prefer to skip formal courses, citing poor training quality, a preference for on-the-job learning, or an aversion to tech.

The top complaint about people not being compensated for tech training comes up often, said Indeed’s senior economist for the Asia-Pacific, Mr Callam Pickering.

“The question of who steps in while someone is away learning is a real and valid one, especially in lean teams or fast-paced environments,” he added.

Mr Pickering suggested the solution lies in shared responsibility. Workers may need to take the initiative to learn in their own time, especially for personal growth.

That said, companies stand to gain more than productivity if they offer structured training during work hours. He added: “When employees are supported in their growth, they tend to be more confident, productive and loyal. In a competitive job market, this is a clear advantage for employers.”

The survey shows that many workers expect little change to their daily digital work tools.

E-mail and communication platforms such as Slack remain the most commonly used technologies, with employees expecting to rely on these staples for the next five years.

Workers placed generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) such as ChatGPT in third place in anticipated usage, up from fifth now, suggesting that most do not believe these tools will revolutionise their jobs overnight.

They also do not think AI agents – autonomous AI bots that can learn and perform office tasks without human supervision – would intrude much into their future workplace, ranking them seventh.

Mr David Martin, global leader of people and organisation practice at Boston Consulting Group, said workers around the world often anticipate the use of AI tools, but underestimate their impact on workflow, roles and decision-making.

The firm’s global research shows that 70 per cent of workers use gen AI regularly, but only half expect fundamental changes to how their work is structured.

Agentic AI, especially, shows up this perception gap, he said.

Mr Martin cited the Indeed-ST survey and noted: “The high levels of awareness in Singapore – with 44 per cent of workers expecting to use gen AI and 25 per cent agentic AI – place the country among more digitally mature markets globally.”

The survey also upended common stereotypes about blue-collar workers, who comprised 20 per cent of respondents, a percentage that mirrors their make-up in Singapore’s 3.7 million resident workforce.

About 41 per cent of these workers – such as nurses, drivers and food service providers – worry about losing their jobs if they do not keep up with technology, higher than 38 per cent among their office-bound counterparts.

About 72 per cent, not far below the 78 per cent among their office-bound peers, want more training for the digital tools they anticipate using.

Mr Pickering said: “It challenges the outdated perception that front-line roles are resistant to digital tools. In most cases, it’s not a matter of reluctance but rather a lack of access or support.”

Given uncomplicated tools and hands-on training, blue-collar workers are often quick adopters, he added, noting: “By underestimating their readiness, we risk overlooking a significant pool of talent and missing opportunities to build more agile and inclusive teams.”

Dr Sahara Sadik, deputy director of research at the Institute of Adult Learning Singapore, urges policy-makers to devote attention to reimagining jobs for this group of workers.

She co-authored a new report with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), which warns that professional jobs in Singapore will increasingly be off-shored, so discussions on creating sustainable AI-augmented blue-collared jobs should be happening now.

Technology could redefine sales roles as customer scientists, gardeners as AI-assisted tree doctors, and zookeepers as zoology specialists, she said.

Her co-author Tay Pei Chin, senior policy adviser for government innovation at the TBI, said current national initiatives are skewed towards upskilling and re-skilling, focusing on the changing demands on labour, but neglecting aspects of jobs.

The pair said weaning Singapore off its reliance on global firms to provide good jobs is becoming more critical, as these companies may no longer deliver them at scale in the way they once did.

Experts are beginning to notice organisations’ AI adoption hitting walls put up by workers who fear being displaced or blamed for technology errors.

But Mr Martin said these employees are also more likely to report better outcomes when supported by managers, adding: “This dual reality means that leadership communication, training and transparency must scale with AI deployment.”

The survey further highlights what makes technology adoption succeed.

Mr Pickering said: “Workers are more likely to embrace new tools when they are easy to use, come with clear documentation and are paired with structured training, whether through workshops, tutorials or hands-on sessions.

“Importantly, giving employees space to experiment in a low-pressure environment can go a long way.”