12 of LinkedIn’s 20 most promising 2017 jobs are in tech, and there is no denying the fact that Singapore is now a hub for tech start-ups. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) “Future of Jobs” report, it estimates 65% of children entering primary school today will end up in job roles that do not yet exist. As we drive towards a digital vision for Singapore where world class infocomm media empower industries and improve people’s lives, it is important to start equipping our young Singaporeans with relevant tech skills such as coding to prepare them for the Digital Economy.
Perhaps there is no better way to teach coding but to introduce it in a fun and exciting way. That is what Lab on Wheels, an initiative by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), sets out to achieve. With the aim of introducing Computational Thinking and Digital Making to Primary and Secondary school students, the Lab on Wheels is a fleet of retro-fitted buses that brings tech right to schools’ doorsteps. From learning basic programming concepts and creating your own game of hot potato with Hackaball, to coding and making your very own step counter with micro:bit, learning becomes fun and exciting!
Another key focus of the IMDA Lab on Wheels is to constantly scan the market for new and emerging technology, bringing and sharing about these new innovations with schools and the public. Technologies currently featured include Virtual Reality, Social Robotics, Internet of Things and 3D Printing.
The concept of 3D printing may seem foreign to many, but students are introduced to the basics of 3D designing and the concept of rapid prototyping with the 3Doodler pen – a 3D printing pen that allow students to bring their ideas to life in 3D. Fascinated with the futuristic gesture interface that Iron Man uses? Sprout by HP brings gesture-based computing to life by heightening hands-on experiences through immersive learning. Students can learn about the human anatomy through an interactive interface paired with Augmented Reality. More often than not, these students are the fortunate ones who are the first to try these new technologies not yet available in Singapore!
“The skills that students pick up from the Lab on Wheels programme will go far in preparing them to be future-ready for the many demands that the Smart Nation journey will require from Singaporeans”, said Minister for Communications and Information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, at the launch of the three Lab on Wheels buses on 7 May 2016 to cater to the growing demand from schools.
“IT is coming in a big way and with our Smart Nation initiative, there will be many opportunities and I hope the kids who have been exposed to this, will one day consider a career in this sector.”
Technology is omnipresent and an integral part of our lives. As Lab on Wheels continues to make students more comfortable with technology, it hopes to inspire the youth to pursue tech as part of their school curriculum or career.
With that, here are 2 of the hottest jobs in the tech market today:
1. Cyber Security and Technology Risk Professionals
The recent ransomware attacks shook the world, stumbling businesses and institutions. Within days of the WannaCry ransomware spread, it was halted by a cyber security researcher. Though the haze may have cleared, it emphasizes the importance of strong cyber security.
Honing a strong coding foundation is paramount when it comes to cyber security. It takes a great deal to be able to develop different types of security software and ensure that the codes do not contain any vulnerabilities.
Students on board Lab on Wheels are introduced to coding, learning the basic concepts through visual drag-and-drop block-based applications, making understanding and problem solving a notch easier. Schools that are interested to learn more may do so via the Code for Fun enrichment programme, which is offered to all MOE primary and secondary schools to increase students’ exposure to coding and computational thinking.
2. Data Analyst and Scientists
Data is gold. But what if you can pair it with coding and turn harvested data into valuable insights through an interactive platform which allows users to attain a better understanding of behaviours, patterns, and trends?
Data visualization can be achieved with various data analytics software. By creating interactive dashboards from different data sources, the software identifies and analyzes behavioural data and patterns. But that is not all, e-commerce and data analytics are paving the way for the future! Take Amazon for example, by leveraging on data analytics to establish buying behaviour and patterns, they are able to significantly increase its sales through predictive analytics.
What’s next?
IMDA Lab on Wheels enables people to have access to tech and prepares them to be digitally ready by being comfortable and confident in trying and experimenting with technology in various aspects of their lives.
As part of nurturing a future ready generation, IMDA Lab on Wheels will continue to bring cool and exciting technology to students, sparking their interest and inspiring them to consider choosing a tech related course or career. After all, the jobs of the future belong to those who are Digitally Ready.
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