- Agriculture – Sri Lanka continues to be a country with an economy that’s based on agriculture and agro industries. Yet, our knowledge in both these fields is pitifully low. Our rice is unfit for export; our control of pests is so weak that farmers ravage our fields with pesticides; our level of automation is pitiful; and our use of drip irrigation and greenhouse technology is at a very low level. This shows a frightening lack of knowledge of basic agricultural practices.
- Technology – From garages to computers, Sri Lankans don’t seem to fix things, but simply take out faulty parts and replace them with imported parts.
- Medical/science – Why do Sri Lanka’s rich and powerful run off to Chennai or Singapore for their ailments? Enough said.
- Construction – We bring the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Indians to build everything from roads to skyscrapers. Even finding a good mason, electrician, or plumber is very difficult in Sri Lanka these days.
- Secretarial/office – Forty years ago, you needed to know shorthand and typing to get a job as a secretary. Try finding those skills today. With ICT penetration still pitifully low, it’s difficult to find job applicants who can write a basic email or make a PowerPoint presentation. Many private sector and government offices still have peons to do photocopying and making cups of tea.
- Driving – This is an industry, with buses, taxis, tuk tuks, delivery trucks, etc. Take a look around you on the road. How many Sri Lankans know how to drive safely and efficiently?
- Human safety/behaviour in society – Forty years ago, a lady could walk around many neighbourhoods safely. But not today. Catcalls, wolf whistles, inappropriate touching, and much worse are their fate. That’s bad for business.
- The programme SkillsFuture is a national movement that encourages Singaporeans to grow to their fullest potential in their lives regardless of their starting points. This movement is driven by the skills, excitement, and contributions of every citizen in Singapore's future growth in an advanced economy and more prosperous society. The awareness is more than good work and paper skills; it is a way to consistently strive for quality through competence, application, and experience. In addition, the objective is to make it possible for people to choose their schooling, training, and compatibility. SkillsFuture supports and includes a lifelong learning culture in Singapore.
- There are three separate funding structures in place in Singapore. All Singaporean citizens have SkillsFuture credits so that they do not have the financial resources to expand this qualification.
- Digital savviness – Technology is, of course, an integral part of society today. From company to personal contact, people must have skills that allow them to handle technology effectively. Some of these skills come through the daily use of technology while other qualifications must be taught to students to train them for the future workplace. Digital literacy enables students to develop knowledge and expertise through the use of workforce technology, including the capacity to adopt emerging technologies. Awareness of technology and technology devices would better prepare students for workforce responsibilities.
- Business acumen – In the modern age, there is a growing movement towards small companies. The internet helps individuals to create their own companies and attract a broad demographic of customers. Entrepreneurship includes creativity, deep industry or consumer experience, and business adaptability. All these skills are useful for potential employment in any career direction. Students must understand business entrepreneurship and be able to use entrepreneurial skills and techniques to meet career objectives to prepare for a successful career. This does not suggest that individuals start their own companies, but rather provides individuals with a strong base for information and ability to conduct business.
- Global citizenship – Culture today is a global society. Due to technological change, businesses around the world can easily do business. The boundaries between nations and industries are thus blurred. One of the most significant developments today is the growth in the world's contingent workforce. To succeed in business, students must consider the role of globalisation in society and approach their work from a global citizenship perspective. We have seen the growing emphasis on global online collaboration. Learning the idea of worldwide citizenry by global co-operation lets students collaborate with people from around the world virtually. As the world will need to collaborate even further, a sense of global nationality and the ability to work with people from around the globe are essential skills for potential jobs.
- Matching economic requirements with the skills that are taught
- Basic skills development at early stages of education
- Making people more productive and competitive
- Meeting the growing demand for knowledge workers
- Rewarding innovation among students
- Dismantling the “parrot education” system of regurgitating at antiquated exams