The First Word: Navigating the upskilling wave: Meeting the demands of Singapore’s workforce

In the dynamic landscape of Singapore’s workforce, the demand for upskilling is becoming increasingly evident. Despite this, there remains a stark disconnect between the aspirations of employees to enhance their skills and the actual provision of training opportunities by employers. Ben Chew, Founder of Talentvis and Talentvis Academy, sheds light on this pressing issue and […]
The First Word: Understanding the Significance of Employer Branding for Law Firms in Singapore

Beyond the accolades of prestigious clientele and landmark cases, a law firm’s true triumph rests upon its ability to attract, retain, and empower its most invaluable asset—its people. In the past year, we have seen law firms like Spanish-based Perez-Llorca and Beijing-headquartered Han Kun Law opening up offices in Singapore. If law firms in Singapore […]
The First Word: Four HR trends coming up on the horizon

We all know there’s no such thing as business as usual. The dynamics of commerce mean the only constant is change. And even after the seismic shifts we all felt during the pandemic, the post-Covid working environment looks set to continue to evolve at pace. For business leaders wanting to move toward growth with clarity […]
The First Word: HR leaders have a crucial role to play in corporate sustainability agenda. Here’s why.

People can make or break corporate transformation toward a sustainable future. The pursuit of corporate sustainability has evolved from a buzzword to a strategic imperative in recent years. As organizations grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, social inequality and governance issues, we are, more than ever, at a critical juncture where we […]
The First Word: Retaining the humans in human resources

The growth of artificial intelligence (AI), the Covid-19 pandemic, and the accelerating trend towards globalisation have combined to usher in an epochal shift in working practices, arguably the most significant since the industrial revolution. The traditional office model, where employees collaborate in close proximity, has given way to more atomised workforces, with individuals operating in […]
The First Word: Designing workplace experience for a dynamic workforce

The iconic workplace culture of the early 2000s has crumbled in the face of a global pandemic, largely impacting the concept of the physical office space. The transformation from the traditional workplace to hybrid and remote working models is not just a fleeting trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how a new generation of employees […]
Case in Point: How UOB supports employees’ transition into retirement

When the United Overseas Bank (UOB) set its sights on how to better take care of employees nearing retirement, the company came up with a specialised set of workshops and post-retirement benefits under SURF, or “Supporting Ur Retirement and Future.” SURF aims to provide much-needed support for employees in preparation for life after working. The […]
Case in Point: How UOB gears up its workforce for success in the digital age

When the United Overseas Bank (UOB) realised digital transformation’s impact on job roles and skill demands, the company created an L&D programme designed to future-proof the workforce with an initial SGD3 million investment for the first three (3) years. Dubbed “Better U,” the programme features a 12-week foundation course accomplished through modules spanning five (5) […]
HR Tech Update: The power of tech-enabled background checks

The ability to attract and retain top talent is crucial, especially in today’s evolving job market. One critical aspect of the hiring process for HR is conducting thorough background checks. To do this efficiently and effectively, companies are turning to various technology tools. What does a background check entail? Before we delve into the advantages […]
The First Word: The new golden rule for leadership is to “embrace the human”

Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is reshaping the landscape of the working environment with its unprecedented convergence of digital, biological, and physical innovations. Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics are not just transforming the tools we use but redefining the entire nature of our work. This transformation demands […]