SINGAPORE'S government will refresh its industry transformation maps (ITMs) to meet the accelerated changes brought by Covid-19, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said at the 40th anniversary event of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) on Friday.
As part of ITM 2025, the tripartite partners - the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and SNEF - will work together to transform the economy, Mr Heng said at this year's event titled "Reshaping the Future of Work: Agile Employers, Resilient Workforce".
ITM 2025 will be complemented by the Emerging Stronger Taskforce, he added. The latter is finalising recommendations of how we can make the most of new opportunities in the post-Covid-19 world.
Mr Heng said that ITM 2025 efforts will also be better complemented by research and innovation, as they will be more closely integrated with the government's previously-announced S$25 billion Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan.
"Working from home is one step away from working from anywhere," he added. "This will enable our workers to remotely access new opportunities abroad, but also open them up to competition from overseas." It has therefore become more important to upskill workers.
Mr Heng also said that employer-employee relationships have evolved and lifelong employment is no longer a key feature of the labour market. "What matters more is lifelong employability," he said.
"Workers who are given continuous support from their employers to upgrade and new opportunities, can grow and develop. In turn, companies thrive when workers have the relevant experience and skills, and the ability to create and innovate."