SIM Academy Accelerates Applied Skills Development

SIM Academy Accelerates Applied Skills Development

SIM Academy, the professional development arm of the Singapore Institute of Management, is boosting Singapore’s workforce transformation by delivering real-world learning aligned to national priorities.

With more than 10,000 professionals trained annually, the SIM Academy is positioning enterprises and mid-career workers to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving economy where traditional qualifications alone are no longer enough.

Singapore’s labour market is shifting amid accelerating technological change. SIM Academy emphasises that «academic credentials without applied capabilities are no longer sufficient». The World Economic Forum forecasts that about 39 percent of today’s skills will be obsolete by 2030, highlighting the urgency for continuous upskilling.

Talent Gaps

Employers are feeling the pressure. The ManpowerGroup 2025 survey reports that eighty-three percent of companies in Singapore struggle to find skilled talent, especially in IT, Engineering, and Sales & Marketing.

Only 30 percent of business leaders surveyed by Workday express confidence that their organisations possess the capabilities required for long-term success. SIM Academy responds with more than 100 industry-aligned courses designed to convert knowledge into workplace performance.

Driving National Workforce Priorities

SIM collaborates with government bodies and large enterprises to ensure training aligns with Singapore’s economic roadmap. During the pandemic, the SGUnited Skills Programme supported more than 1,000 displaced and mid-career professionals in gaining relevant skills for advanced manufacturing and logistics.

Building on this foundation, SIM now offers SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes targeted at high-growth fields such as cybersecurity and sustainability – strengthening workforce resilience and lifelong employability.

Tailored Capability Building for Enterprises

Public-sector agencies and corporates are also capitalising on SIM Academy’s ability to contextualise learning. Programmes co-developed with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore help officers «know, think and do agile», while a partnership with SMRT equips transport officers with systems leadership competencies to navigate operational uncertainty.

These collaborations reinforce SIM Academy’s role as a force multiplier for organisational transformation.

Real-World Learning

Applied learning sits at the core of the Academy’s methodology. A referenced study indicates that learners in applied environments achieve 45 percent greater knowledge gains versus traditional instruction.

SIM operationalises this insight through real-time problem-solving, project-based work, and authentic business case studies that translate into immediate workplace outcomes.

Innovation in Digital Skills Training

One example is the TikTok Masterclass co-developed with Singtel. Over three days, marketers and entrepreneurs gain hands-on content creation experience using production facilities at the TikTok Creator House, supported by direct mentorship from digital-commerce specialists.

This initiative merges experiential training with digital business strategy to build confidence and commercial capability.

Practitioner-Led and Flexible by Design

SIM Academy’s programmes are delivered by industry practitioners, consultants, senior executives, and subject-matter experts who embed real-world context into learning. Courses are available both online and on campus to accommodate demanding work schedules.

With problem-based learning and structured reflection, participants return to their roles equipped with actionable strategies.