Empowering Singaporean Workers to Transition, and Map Careers Better in the Future of Work through Open Loop Careers

PI: Mr Poon King Wang (LKYCIC, SUTD)
Co-PI: Dr Samuel Chng, Dr Thijs Willems (LKYCIC, SUTD)
Team: Dr Assel Mussagulova, Dr Dinithi Jayasekara, Mr Goh Zi An Galvyn, Ms Cheryl Tang Jiawen (LKYCIC, SUTD)

This study is being conducted in order to understand how Singaporean workers respond, learn and behave as they transition between careers/jobs and education regularly regardless of choice or circumstance, as well as what can be done to support and empower them. The rise of the concept of Open Loop Careers is based on the need for Singapore to keep ahead of emerging trends that have the potential to significantly impact how the workforce is organised globally and in Singapore, such as digitisation, automation, global competition, an ageing population, and the rise of developing countries. These trends mean that the jobs of the near future will look different from today and Singaporean workers will have to be flexible and innovative to adapt and grow into these new jobs roles successfully.

The study aims to develop understanding of the following:

1. whether theoretical concepts that allude to flexible regular transitions between education and careers/jobs, such as boundaryless and flexible protean careers and freelancing, can actually be implemented, particularly in the Singaporean context,
2. how workers respond, learn and behave as they transition between careers/jobs and education regularly,
3. what are the appropriate levels of support and scaffolding from other individuals and entities (state, company, etc.), and,
4. the need for a multi-level perspective solution.

The project comprises three work packages. The first work package (WP) involves a quantitative longitudinal study of 1000 Singaporean workers aimed at measuring changes in career circumstances and attitudes over time (12 to 18 months), as well as qualitative interviews with select individuals out of 1000 survey respondents in order to glean deeper insights on their personal experiences.

The second WP is secondary data analysis using the employment data of graduates from ITE and polytechnics intended to compare and understand their career pathways.

The third WP focuses on developing recommendations and strategies for empowering Singaporean workers based on the findings of WP2 and 3.

If you wish to find out more or collaborate with us or tap on our multi-disciplinary expertise, please contact us at olc@sutd.edu.sg and we will be happy to respond to you.