7 in 10 SG workers feel unready with working digitally: Salesforce

However, only 29% were actively involved in digital skills training.

Salesforce, a customer relationship management company, revealed a growing global digital skills crisis and the urgent need for action in its Global Digital Skills Index.

The index is based on over 23,500 workers in 19 countries reporting their readiness to acquire the digital skills needed by businesses today and over the next five years.

In Singapore, 73% of respondents do not feel equipped to learn the digital skills businesses need now, and 71% do not feel equipped for the future.

Despite that, only 29% are very actively involved in digital skills learning and training programmes today.

Most Gen Z and millennial respondents (84%) say they have advanced or intermediate social media skills — supporting the stereotype of digital mastery amongst the younger generation — but only 40% feel prepared for the workplace digital skills needed now.

ASEAN senior vice president and general manager Sujith Abraham said, "The digital skills gap cannot wait. Our research shows that we still have work to do in equipping Singaporeans for the future of work, which will be pivotal to the recovery, resilience and growth of our economy. Businesses play a critical role in collaborating with other organisations in the ecosystem, to ensure the right kinds of training and recruitment opportunities scale up to match digital demand and reach all aspects of society equally."

The index's overall global score for digital readiness, assessed in terms of preparedness, skill level, access, and active participation in digital upskilling, is currently only 33 out of 100, highlighting an urgent need for global investment to close the digital skills gap.