Workplace learning for critical core skills development: Empirical evidence from Singapore

• Published in: International journal for research in vocational education and training Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 316 - 337
• Main Authors: Bi, Xiao Fang, Boo, Lena Song Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bremen European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET), European Educational Research Association 01.06.2025; European Research Network Vocational Education and Training (VETNET)
• Subjects: Situated Learning Theory; Skills Development; VET; Vocational Education and Training; Workplace Learning
• ISSN: 2197-8646; 2197-8638; 2197-8646
• DOI: 10.13152/IJRVET.12.3.1

Context: Soft skills or critical core skills (CCS), e.g., communication, problem solving, etc, have been recognized by both individuals and organizations as important but at shortage in the labour market. Within this context, the development of CCS for the employees becomes more and more pressing for the organizations in order to cope with the everchanging de-mand of workforce. By clustering 2000 participants into seven occupation groups in terms of their similar patterns in the use of CCS, this article aims to show how workplace learning initiated by individuals in different occupations can forge a highly similar learning pathway to develop CCS for the purpose of their personal and professional development.Methods: Drawing on the quantitative results of 2000 participants from Singaporean work-force into seven occupational groups, a qualitative study using semi-structured interview questions that seek to understand how workplace learning attributes to the development of critical core skills. 39 participants were selected to represent the critical core skills profile of the seven occupation groups in Singapore. Unlike earlier research focusing on specific oc-cupation, the present study provides cross-national evidence for the development of critical core skills.