SkillsFuture Festival 2018

Whether you’re 16 or 61, having a break from school or hopping to a new job, it’s always good to learn something new. As the saying goes, learning is a lifelong process.

Alas, time and cash-strapped wallets might not be on our side. But SkillsFuture has got your back with SkillsFuture Festival 2018, where a myriad of activities, from crafting workshops to career seminars, will be held to help you gain some skills. They’ll be taking place throughout July all around the island, and best of all, they’re free!

1. Get artsy at clay and glass workshops

Image adapted from: @lastforevercraft

Even if you’re known to fumble with your fingers, creating such exquisite 3D flowers using clay – aka making clay peonies – isn’t all that impossible once you pick up some special techniques and use premium imported clay.

Image credit: @vancemharper

Or, unleash your artistic creativity and learn to make Glass Mosaic Suncatchers – an artwork made using recycled glass pieces, stained glass, mirror, beads…whatever small objects that you can lay your hands on. Eco-warriors will be glad to note that jar lids will be reused or recycled as a base for your mosaic art piece.

The Clay Peony Decor Hoop
Venue: 208C New Upper Changi Road, Bedok Town Square, Singapore 463208
Date: 22nd July 2018
Time: 9AM-9PM

Glass Mosaic Suncatchers
Venue: 208C New Upper Changi Road, Bedok Town Square, Singapore 463208
Date: 22nd July 2018
Time: 9AM-9PM

2. Learn skills that will keep you ahead in your career

For the fresh grads among us, entering a workplace realising you know nuts is downright terrifying.

Prep yourself well by checking out emerging skill courses offered by the Institutes of Higher Learning at SkillsFuture Festival @SMU, so you’ll be equipped for the future.

And with all the hoo-ha going on about automation (like robots!) in the workplace, learn how to stay ahead of technology trends and brush up your skills with the SkillsFuture Festival Executive Series @ OCBC Campus seminar.

Fresh graduates from polytechnics and ITEs, get networking with employers at the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Carnival. The rest of you aren’t left out either – the Youth Career Network Career Discovery and Career Mentorship events are here to provide some guidance.

SkillsFuture Festival @ SMU
Venue: 81 Victoria Street, Singapore Management University Concourse, Singapore 188065
Date: 16th – 17th July

Youth Career Network Career Discovery
Venue: NTUC Centre
Date: 24th July 2018
Time: 7PM-9.30PM

Youth Career Network Career Mentorship
Venue: NTUC Centre
Date: 25th July 2018
Time: 7PM-9.30PM

SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Carnival
Venue: Lifelong Learning Institute
Date: 28th July 2018
Time: 10AM-2PM

SkillsFuture Festival Executive Series @ OCBC Campus
Venue: OCBC Campus, 260 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088542
Date: 1st August 2018
Time: 12PM-2PM

3. Whip up a traditional Chinese dish 

Image credit: Tsay Cheng Chinese Cuisine

There might not be a handbook on how to impress your ahma, but I guess pleasing her stomach with the classic Poached Eight Treasure Chicken is one skill she’d appreciate.

Led by Culinary Trainer Chef Wong Wai Sung, you’ll get to learn a trick or two from him on how you can cook up this flavourful Chinese dish. So don on your aprons, and channel your inner MasterChef!

Cooking Demo: Poached Eight Treasure Chicken
Venue: 208C New Upper Changi Road, Bedok Town Square, Singapore 463208
Date: 22nd July 2018
Time: 2PM-245PM

Bonus: Learn on the go with a virtual festival

Besides these IRL activities, there’s also a complementary virtual festival, the SkillsFuture Festival Online, that runs all the way till 4 August. What it means for you – hello free e-books from Bookboon and McGraw-Hill Education that cover everything from marketing to finance. Psst..the latter even has a promo code “SFF2018” for 15% off professional titles*.

And if you want the classroom experience on-the-go, delve into trusted online education provider Udemy. It’s gonna offer over 350 discounted courses at just $14.99! – which you can take at your own pace and with expert instructors dispensing their pearls of wisdom.

Find out more about SkillsFuture online here.

*T&Cs apply.

Upgrade your skills for free with SkillsFuture

Whether it’s by brushing up your professional skills or having fun with a new hobby, you can easily make July a meaningful one with SkillsFuture Festival 2018. From picking up culinary techniques to learning how to use technology in your work, it’s never too late to start learning skills that are both useful in the workforce and fun to do during your leisure time. Plus, you can learn most of them for free!

Click here for the full list of activities of SkillsFuture Festival 2018!

This post was brought to you by SkillsFuture Singapore.