Upgrade yourself today: The 10 most wanted IT skills in Singapore

Our dynamic workforce requires its workers to upgrade their skill sets constantly. With government subsidies and support, improving yourself does not have to be too expensive. Through the SkillsFuture credit scheme, you can access over 10,000 courses available on the SkillsFuture directory. These courses will help you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and strategies in your industry.

But with an overwhelming number of programmes to choose from and only $500 to offset the cost, prior planning and careful selection for courses are important to make the most out of this learning opportunity. Here, we have curated the top ten skills that our modern society values the most, and which SkillsFuture courses* to take to acquire them.

1. Basic Infocomm Technology Courses (ICTs)
As one of the most technologically advanced countries in Asia, basic ICT skills are necessary in almost every workplace. This includes knowledge from Microsoft Tools to maintaining cyber safety. These courses will help you stay up to date with the basics of ICT software.

Microsoft Excel - From Beginners to Advanced (UDEMY_793796) $110
Certified Secure Computer User - Workplace (CRS-N-0033273) $450

2. Advanced ICTs (Web-based)
For those who already possess basic ICT skills and are looking to expand their web-based ICT skill sets, these courses are for you. From navigating Cloud computing apps to basic programming, these classes will introduce you to more complex programmes that are listed as some of the most important skills today.

Introduction to Cloud Computing (UDEMY_96694) $50
Create Webpages with HTML (CRS-N-0001081) $315

3. Data Analysis
Big data is increasingly getting attention in many fields, and knowing how to process and interpret data is an increasingly important skill in the workplace today. Fine-tune your data analytic skills with these courses to make better-informed business decisions for your company.

Managing Data Analysis (CRSA-1173) $49
Data Analysis and Interpretation (CRSA-1015) $395
Analyse Consumer Behaviour (CRS-Q-0024007-BM) $481.50
Big Data Analytics (ITSP06/ITD201) $520

4. Social Media Marketing
Social Media is the new frontier in the world of marketing, and every good marketer will make it a priority to stay up to date with the various services on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Wordpress, and many more. Being a consumer won't get you very far, so take these courses to understand the business side of social media marketing.

17 Proven Strategies to Get More Clients with Social Media (UDEMY_369185) $50
Social Media Marketing (CRS-N-0026505) $370
2 Days - WordPress for Beginners Bootcamp (CRS-N-0033896) $375

5. Design Skills
You don't have to be a designer to appreciate the value of design skills. With more people becoming proficient in tools such as Adobe Photoshop and web-design, these software skills are becoming the next Microsoft Office tools that you never knew you needed. Try out these SkillsFuture courses that will come in handy when you need to do a basic photo editing or video project.

SkillsFuture@PA Adobe Photoshop (Ang Mo Kio 027) $260
Impact with Online Video (CE5033) $490

6. Innovative and Critical Thinking Skills
Thinking out-of-the-box is one of the top soft skills that employers are looking for. These courses will improve your critical thinking skills so that you can be an indispensable problem-solver.

Critical Thinking (CRS-Q-0022773-BM) $450
Thinking-Out-of-the-Box (CRS-N-0031685) $450

7. Communication Skills
While the workplace may be changing every day, communicating with others is still the one thing that hasn’t changed over the years. It is a vital skill to communicate effectively and present yourself well, and these courses will help you get over your fear of crowds and awkward situations, as well as learning how to convey your ideas constructively, from emails to business meetings.

Communication in Business (CRS-N-0033711) $180
English for Effective Business Writing (CRSA-1109) $119
Winning Presentation for Business (CRS-N-0017785) $350

8. Leadership Skills
To get ahead in your career, it is important to possess the necessary qualities and skills of a leader. These skills range from thinking strategically to working well with others and even delegating jobs efficiently, which these courses will teach you.

Foster Initiative and Enterprise in Teams (CRS-1-0021534-ES) $220
Practical Leadership (CRS-N-0032571) $345

9. Interdisciplinary Skills
Our globalised economy is ever expanding, and with the number of people having multiple skills increasing, you have to constantly upgrade yourself with many competencies to stay competitive. Fortunately, these SkillsFuture courses will arm you with the multi-disciplinary skills you need to stay ahead and not play catch-up all the time.

Digital Analytics for Marketing Professionals: Marketing Analytics in Practice (CRSA-1329) $79
Understanding Financial Statements for Non-Finance Personnel (CRS-N-0016147) $328

10. Résumé Building
You are your own personal brand, and it takes skill to present your best self while applying for jobs. Your résumé may just be another piece of paper to you, but it is one of the most important tools you need to get noticed and get hired. Pick up some skills with these courses to tailor-make the best résumé writing for your work life.

Career Hacking: Résumé/CV, LinkedIn, Interviewing +More (UDEMY_266590) $85

With these SkillsFuture courses and more, you can stop procrastinating and start upgrading your skill sets today!

*All information is correct at time of publication and may change without any notice.