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73.4% of online learners surveyed in Singapore want e-learning as a permanent option

73.4% of online learners surveyed in Singapore want e-learning as a permanent option

Among the many benefits of online learning, the most common one cited by 66.1% of respondents was the greater control offered to trainees, due to a more flexible learning schedule.

According to a new report by the Manpower Research and Statistics Department (MRSD)​, the ​proportion of resident trainees in Singapore who attended job-related structured online learning doubled to 51.5% in 2020 (2019: 25.6%), with in-person training suspended/reduced as a result of the pandemic.

This refers to trainings conducted online related to current or future jobs, the report noted. Amongst the residents surveyed (not revealed in the report), about half (50.4%) acquired vocational/job-specific skills that was required for daily work duties, followed by technical skills (38.9%), soft skills (38.1%), and theoretical knowledge (37.6%).

The less popular skillsets included creativity and innovation (13.3%), work safety skills (11.2%), language skills (5.2%), and basic literacy and numeracy skills (2.9%).

However, close to six in 10 (58.8%) of respondents felt that online training involving theoretical knowledge was better suited for online learning over courses on vocational/job specific skills, given the need for hands-on practice which was difficult to replicate online.

Overall, the types of training that respondents perceived to be better suited for online are as follows:

  • Theoretical knowledge: 58.5%
  • Soft skills: 49.3%
  • Technical skills: 47%
  • Vocational/job-specific knowledge: 36.5%
  • Language skills: 29.1%
  • Creativity and innovation: 28.2%
  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills: 20.6%
  • Work safety skills: 13.9%

Who were most likely to take up online/e-learning courses?

Per the report, tertiary-educated trainees, as well as those in their 30s/40s, were most likely to do so.

The following data was revealed:

Trainees according to highest qualification attained

  • Below Secondary: 11.1%
  • Secondary: 45.7%
  • Post-Secondary (Non-Tertiary): 40%
  • Diploma & other professional qualifications: 48.9%
  • Degree: 58%

Trainees by age group

  • 20-29: 45.5%
  • 30-39: 55.5%
  • 40-49: 60%
  • 50-64: 42.2%

A majority of trainees value flexibility and control over when and where they learnt online

Among the many benefits of online learning, the most common one cited by 66.1% of respondents was the greater control offered to trainees, due to a more flexible learning schedule.

Other popular benefits include:

  • Greater control over physical learning environment (23.4%)
  • Online courses tend to provide more coursework and assignments (3.6%)
  • Student-instructor communications are made easier (1.8%)
  • Expand social circle, as online interactions encourage networking (1.8%)

Overall, amongst residents surveyed, a majority (73.4%) said they would prefer to still have the option of online learning in the future, versus 26.6% who said otherwise.


Photo / MRSD

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