Most employers (99%) in Singapore agree that there is a greater need for employees who can take on hybrid roles in order to meet their current business objectives, according to a survey from Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress Learning Hub.

According to the Learning Hub, in the face of a complex business environment where hybrid roles are in demand, 69% of employees say they have to adopt new skills in their daily work, and 71% feel the urgency to upskill and reskill to keep themselves competitive in the job market. The same sentiments apply to employers, where 84% indicate that it was necessary for employees to learn new skills due to changes brought about by Covid-19 to their businesses.

Survey data also showed that 72% of employers cited difficulty in filling vacant roles in their companies. Meanwhile, 71% intend to hire candidates with broader skill sets in the future.

In general, when employers were asked to select the top three most valuable supplementary skills for employees in a hybrid role, the three skills include 'Effective Communication' (57%), 'Teamwork/ Collaboration' (57%), and 'Data Analysis' (54%).

In terms of industry clusters, employers in 'Built Environment' were the most inclined (90%) towards hiring candidates with broader skill sets for hybrid roles. This is followed closely by those in the 'Trade & Connectivity', and 'Manufacturing' industry clusters, where 89% of employers say the same.

NTUC Learning Hub’s Chairman, Eugene Wong, said, "In a world where we are in a constant state of change, we cannot remain single-tracked when it comes to our careers. To navigate the new norm and seek out opportunities, it is key to stay informed about the latest jobs and skills in demand, then take action by upskilling for employer-coveted hybrid roles and supplementary skills."