Among the other new and innovative skills that are marking the new workplace is content marketing.
This was expected to grow by 5 per cent to 10 per cent last year, with digital marketing projected to increase to 35 per cent of total marketing budgets by 2026.
Mr Rhys Johnson, chief operating officer and provost at Kaplan Singapore, said: “There is a lot of interest in digital marketing by both individuals and businesses and we see immense growth opportunity in this sector.
“While there is a general perception of the prevalent use of social and digital media, many businesses in Singapore have yet to embark on it given limited knowledge.
“As consumers rely more on online searches of any product or service they may need, businesses including small and medium-size enterprises and entrepreneurs recognise the need and increasingly view digital marketing as essential part of their marketing mix.
“What this means for those interested in a career related to digital marketing, is an industry with many employment opportunities available.”
Kaplan provides a series of digital marketing programmes for individuals to be Google certified, as well as the diploma in digital marketing. These programmes are also for polytechnic graduates to obtain skill sets to stay ahead of the digital economy.
It is also working closely with the EC-Council, the world’s leading certification body of specialised information technology (IT) security training to provide cyber security courses. This is in addition to the various diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes in fields relating to forensic computing, information systems and cyber security.
Mr Johnson added that Kaplan, one of the leading private education providers in Singapore, is committed to working with highly recognised and accredited academic partners.
He said: “We seek to develop and introduce innovative programmes that will appeal to individuals and enhance the workforce capability to meet the needs of a wide range of industries.
“We also want to provide relevant knowledge and skill sets to enable our graduates to contribute effectively to evolving markets and the new economy.”
To further reinforce the programmes at Kaplan, it launched The Synergy Pod, a “classroom of the future” last year.
The Synergy Pod is a comprehensive blended learning platform that integrates conventional classroom learning with technologically-mediated resources to enhance the student learning experience and engagement.
It was built to encourage teacher-student discussions and peer-to-peer collaboration, providing a dynamic and interactive learning experience for students.
Mr Johnson said: “The Synergy Pod is created to be innovative yet practical and fully interactive, providing a visually stimulating and immersive learning environment for our students.
“The hardware includes a 60-inch interactive whiteboard, seven 55-inch flat screens, a tablet on every table to increase real-time online interaction, and white-board finished tables which can be written on and flipped up for presentation of answers and solutions.”
Mr Johnson said Kaplan advocates blended learning.
Blended learning is the systematic combination of face-toface teaching with online learning materials and other digital resources.
It involves students, teachers and adapted learning resources.
He said: “As an advocate for blended learning, it has become essential at Kaplan for the transfer of knowledge between students and faculty.
“It enables a greater variety of learning tools, encouraging students to collaborate realtime and increase engagement with content and faculty.
“Technology has also allowed learning analytics to track students’ attainment of knowledge throughout the lesson.
“Kaplan’s proprietary online materials are adapted from hardcopy and custom-built in localised context.
“We have since created over 435 original videos, more than 1,044 teaching and learning interactive activities, and more than 1,305 questions for students’ formative self-assessment.”
Mr Johnson said Kaplan was focused on its students’ success and would help them achieve their aims, whether they wanted to pursue new careers or achieve promotion or career progression.
Tutor Belinda Jackson, 25, is considering pursuing a part-time diploma or degree course at Kaplan.
She said the range of courses and programmes, coupled with professional development courses, made for a holistic learning experience that would help equip her with the necessary skills to navigate the “new and disruptive workplace”.
She added: “The investment in state-of-the-art equipment and teaching materials shows a commitment to the needs of the national economy and students as a whole too.
“This ensures that the teaching experience also stays relevant and industry-focused.”
Article by Arul John
Source: The New Paper© Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.