Taking the Next Step: A Mid-Career Digital Journey
At 49, Farizan has built a steady career in the services industry where she has worked for the past four years as a Sales Admin Executive, overseeing sales coordination, purchasing, logistics and finance support. Working closely with multiple departments, she ensures smooth daily operations and keeps workflows running efficiently within her organisation. While working hard to establish herself as a dependable, meticulous and consistent teammate, she could never shake the persistent feeling that she could further streamline her work processes by expanding her skillsets.
As businesses moved deeper into digital transformation, Farizan took a step back to reflect on how she could remain relevant in Singapore’s highly competitive and dynamic economy. Through her own research on social media, she began to see the potential of technology to enhance efficiency and productivity in her daily responsibilities. Determined not to let comfort and familiarity stagnate her professional development, she seized the opportunity and enrolled in the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) Digital Marketing Specialist course at NTUC LearningHub after chancing upon it online.
The structured and industry-relevant curriculum gave Farizan clearer insight into how digital strategies translate into real business impact. It also helped her better understand how campaigns are planned, executed and measured in today’s digital landscape. Farizan gained practical knowledge in digital marketing strategies, search engine optimisation (SEO), online copywriting, campaign analytics and online campaign management, areas she had always been curious about but had not had the opportunity to explore in her previous scope of work. The guidance from experienced trainers and the unique insights shared by coursemates from diverse industries further enriched her learning experience. By embracing the intensity of the knowledge-filled course, she was able to bring together the different concepts she had learned through the programme’s capstone project and apply them in a practical digital marketing scenario.
Building on what she learned from the course, Farizan now approaches her role with a broader perspective. While she continues her core operational responsibilities, she has also taken on expanded responsibilities at work, supporting digital marketing initiatives, assisting in online campaign coordination and contributing insights to enhance customer engagement. These opportunities to apply her new skills have not only allowed her to add greater value to her team but has also strengthened her confidence in navigating change.
This step forward marks just one of many in her journey of self-improvement and lifelong learning. Shortly after completing the programme, she began exploring other courses to further develop her data analytics capabilities, such as the Retail (SF): Data Science Fundamentals course. Recognising that others may still be on the fence about taking the first step, she shares, a mindset she now carries beyond the workplace and even onto the stage as a performer, “Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Learning new skills may feel challenging at first, but it opens new opportunities and builds confidence.”
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Brewing a New Chapter Through Lifelong Learning
Sheena brings more than a decade of experience in the retail and education sector, where she managed multiple retail outlets specialising in educational toys and oversaw day-to-day operations. Over time, she began to notice a shift. Customers were increasingly seeking more unique and experience-driven products, while the retail landscape itself was becoming more competitive and fast-changing. At the same time, Sheena observed a growing interest in more mindful and natural lifestyle products, which sparked her curiosity about opportunities within the Food & Beverages (F&B) space. With her experience largely rooted in traditional brick-and-mortar retail, Sheena made a deliberate decision to pursue her lifelong interest in F&B entrepreneurship. Inspired by her passion for floral and herbal infusions and her desire to create a brand of her own, she enrolled in the Flavourful Ventures: A Journey Into F&B Entrepreneurship course at NTUC LearningHub to turn her vision into a reality. Returning to the classroom was initially a challenge for Sheena, as she had not studied for a long time and found some of the learning processes unfamiliar. However, with guidance from her trainers and support from her classmates, she gradually adapted and grew more confident throughout the course. Throughout the programme, Sheena gained practical exposure to key aspects of building and managing an F&B business, including identifying business opportunities, product development, branding and bringing products into the market. The hands-on learning experience also gave her greater insight into creativity, innovation and customer engagement within the F&B industry. Beyond equipping her with practical entrepreneurial skills, the programme also broadened her perspective on what it takes to build and sustain a business in today’s competitive landscape. Sheena eventually went on to start her own tea brand, Tea Therapy Singapore, offering a distinct range of caffeine-free, unsweetened and 100% natural floral tea blooms. Through the course, she was able to turn a long-standing personal interest into something more tangible, gaining the confidence and practical knowledge needed to pursue her passion in the F&B space. The course also gave her a supportive space to experiment, learn from mistakes and grow her confidence as a first-time digital business owner. Today, she manages the business end-to-end, from sourcing raw materials to product design, branding and online sales, applying the skills and knowledge gained from the programme to shape and grow her business. Through the journey of building her brand, Sheena also came to appreciate the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability and continuously upgrading herself to stay relevant in an evolving business landscape. Looking ahead, Sheena remains committed to lifelong learning as she continues to grow both professionally and as a business owner, and plans to further develop her skills through NTUC LearningHub courses, including public speaking. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “Learning is a lifelong journey. When we continue upgrading ourselves and apply what we learn, we can turn our passion into new opportunities.”
From Print to Possibilities: Anticipating Change and Embracing New Beginnings
From a young age, Lingam Kumar’s curiosity about how things work, coupled with his technical education, fostered a deep appreciation for machinery. He enjoyed dismantling objects to understand their inner workings, engaging in a form of reverse engineering. This fuelled his love for technology and passion for machinery, ultimately guiding him into a successful career in the traditional print industry which has spanned over three decades. Now in his 50s, Lingam serves as a Team Senior Operation Printer and has witnessed the rise of digital media formats over the years. Recognising the evolving landscape, he knew it was time to pick up new skills to remain adaptable to changing times. Lingam came across NTUC LearningHub and was intrigued by the variety of courses offered. He saw this as an opportunity to expand his skill sets, enrolling in courses that would prepare him for the dynamic job market. Upon further research, Lingam developed a keen interest in sustainability, especially in light of the Singapore Green Plan 2030. He recognised the increasing importance of sustainability in today’s economy and how it is now a driving force for innovation and growth across all industries. Consequently, he enrolled in the National Electric Vehicle Specialist Safety (NESS) programme with NTUC LearningHub. The programme not only equipped him with valuable skills in electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and servicing, safety procedures, and the fundamentals of hybrid and EVs, but also allowed him to draw on his technical background and appreciation for machinery. Additionally, the programme provided a supportive and collaborative environment, with experienced trainers and a diverse group of trainees, which further enriched his learning experience. This helped Lingam clarify his vision for the future—one that aligns his affinity with technology while providing opportunities to adapt and embrace change. “It wasn’t just about learning new skills, it was about my commitment to continuous growth,” says Lingam. With his new qualifications, Lingam is ready to take on new opportunities, whether contributing to sustainability efforts at his workplace or exploring other industries down the road. “Personally, I feel restless when I’m not learning or improving. The desire for growth keeps me moving forward, and every new skill gives me a renewed sense of purpose. I encourage others to do the same. As they say, the moment we stop learning is the moment we begin to fade away. The sky is the limit—lifelong learning keeps us engaged, energised, and ready for whatever comes next,” reflects Lingam.