Whether you’re a jobseeker or employee, short courses in cloud computing, machine learning and workflow automation can open doors to new opportunities – no tech background needed.

Among companies in Singapore, cloud computing, machine learning and workflow automation technologies are seeing a surge in adoption. The digitalisation of businesses – already taking place as part of the Smart Nation transformation – has greatly accelerated, as the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary for companies to evolve in order to thrive in the new normal.

One of the largest obstacles to business digitalisation, however, is the shortage of talent trained in deep technologies. These technologies are in strong demand for their ability to automate workflows, increase productivity, provide strategic insights and more.

In a survey by NTUC LearningHub titled Industry Insights 2021 – Machine Learning & Cloud Computing, 41 per cent of respondents reported a lack of confidence in the capability of their workforce in implementing workflow automation technologies, even though around half of employers were using workflow automation and another 25 per cent planned to adopt it.

In addition, 32 per cent of employers stated that their companies lacked sufficient talent to implement cloud computing and machine learning in their organisations, and cited talent shortage as one of the top obstacles in their adoption of these technologies.

While slightly over half of the respondents said they would resolve the shortage by upskilling employees who had relevant skillsets, 44 per cent said they were willing to reskill employees who possessed completely different skillsets and roles.

Furthermore, 61 per cent of employers agreed that they would consider hiring candidates who had no relevant experience or educational degrees but had micro-credentials in cloud computing and machine learning.

POWERING UP BUSINESSES WITH NEW CAPABILITIES

Mr Isa Nasser, the head of information technology at NTUC LearningHub, believes that cloud computing and machine learning are technologies that ultimately democratise powerful capabilities for businesses large or small. The most exciting thing about them, he said, is “how they allow a bunch of people with very little capital to do very big things”.

“Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) have micro-services that allow you to do some amazing things like facial recognition using AI technologies,” he explained. “These are things that companies would have had to hire research and development teams for in the past.”

Such technologies, alongside workflow automation tools, also generate large amounts of useful data – from sales performance to employee satisfaction. For example, smart factories might have sensors embedded throughout to collect data. Cloud computing allows the amount of computing power needed to process the data to be scaled up easily, so that the data can be developed into a simulation model for use.

Workflow automation might take the form of robotic process automation (RPA), where bots act as digital assistants for workers doing repetitive tasks. “RPA simulates the input of the worker, and allows the person to automate the work,” said Mr Nasser. “It is a cheap way to automate and to see a return on investment quickly.”

These advances are especially relevant in the new normal, as companies create and implement business continuity protocols as effectively as possible by relying on digitisation. Employees’ transitions from office to home and back again are made seamless by these technologies, and businesses have realised that shifting to a digital realm of operations is necessary in order to succeed in a post-pandemic world.

MICRO-CREDENTIALS FOR THE JOB MARKET

While some employees or jobseekers may choose to pursue a diploma or degree in cloud computing or machine learning, micro-credentials in the form of short courses or industry certification remain one of the most popular ways to upskill in Singapore.

According to Mr Nasser, micro-credentials are designed to meet industry needs, rather than being an academic exercise. He said: “By getting a micro-credential in AWS or Azure (cloud computing), for example, I’m telling employers I know how to use the tech.”

NTUC LearningHub’s IT Academy offers a range of beginner, intermediate and advanced courses targeted at business needs, ensuring that participants gain in-demand skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace.

Its SME Digital Reboot programme, for example, helps businesses visualise, digitise and automate their workflow in order to gain productivity benefits.

For those seeking to become data analytics professionals, Mr Nasser recommends using micro-credentials to build a pathway to the goal. One can start by exploring the fundamentals of data analytics using Microsoft Excel. Then, learn to use tools like Tableau and Microsoft Power BI, which do not require coding. Those who want to gain an in-depth understanding of data analytics can take up the Machine Learning and Advanced Analytics Using Python course.

“While there are pre-requisites for every course, the key is to create a pathway first,” said Mr Nasser.

For non-tech professionals, micro-credentials can also maximise employees’ abilities to get more value out of the programmes they are already familiar with, such as Excel, and empower them in their careers. As businesses and other organisations grow to rely more heavily on technology, micro-credentials will allow employees to take a proactive role in directing and enhancing their own career progressions, while employers benefit from a powerful productivity boost in their workforce.

Mr Nasser summed up: “One of the best things that an employer can do for their workers is to help them gain skills in relevant areas like data science, in order to be more resilient in the digital age.”

Learn more about the future of cloud computing, machine learning and workflow automation by downloading NTUC LearningHub’s Industry Insights 2021.