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Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
More can be done to maximise the impact of SkillsFuture in its next phase: PM Wong
More can be done to maximise the impact of SkillsFuture in its next phase: PM Wong SINGAPORE - In a more advanced economy and with a better-educated population, the SkillsFuture movement must do better in curating courses and helping Singaporeans identify those that will benefit them the most, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 23. Many have benefitted from skills development in the past decade — about one-fifth of Singapore's workforce signs up for training every year, said PM Wong at the SkillsFuture's 10th anniversary event held at Four Seasons Hotel in Orchard. 'We see more businesses sending their workers for SkillsFuture supported training, and some of the leading companies now become SkillsFuture queen bee companies,' he said. But more can be done to maximise the impact of the national skills movement, PM Wong said. He outlined three key areas for improvement: by making it easier for adult workers to access industry relevant courses, ensuring courses are designed with industry needs in mind, and strengthening the culture of learning for life. The SkillsFuture movement was launched in 2015, with the aim to help Singaporeans learn for life, obtain skills to secure better jobs, and grow their careers, said PM Wong, who was attending as guest-of-honour at the event. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng, and Minister of State for Education and Manpower Ms Gan Siow Huang were also present. (From left) Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang at the SkillsFuture's 10th anniversary event on May 23. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG From the workforce to businesses, many have benefitted from SkillsFuture, and the movement evolved to include more industry partnerships, PM Wong said. 'We have come a long way in this past decade. We empowered everyone to take charge of their own learning through SkillsFuture Credit. We've put in place a more vibrant learning ecosystem with a wide range of approved courses, many of which are highly subsidised,' he said. 'And we've encouraged companies, including many SMEs, to invest in their workers and workforce transformation.' But there is still much more we can do to maximise the impact of SkillsFuture and take it to 'even greater heights', said PM Wong. The economy is more advanced now, and people have more diverse needs and aspirations, he added. 'As a government, working with our partners, we have to do better at curating the courses, and helping Singaporeans identify the ones that give them maximum benefits and are suited to them,' he said, for example, courses that increase proficiency in artificial intelligence. More than just broad-based skills, training courses of one to two days are provided as part of the Career Health initiative for Singaporeans to support their career, he said. These are across industries, and act as a 'taster'. 'In order to get a substantial injection of skills, we all need to put in time and effort,' PM Wong said, acknowledging that it may not be easy for mid-career workers with families. This is why SkillsFuture will support them with the previously announced credit top-up of $4,000 and monthly allowance of up to $3,000 for those pursuing full-time and part-time courses, he said. The SkillsFuture movement also has to become more 'industry-oriented', said PM Wong, so that courses are designed with industry needs in mind, and businesses will be more likely to invest in training. Employers have concerns about losing their employees after sending them for training, which is why they tend to 'under-invest', said PM Wong. Employers are also hesitant to take up the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit - a fund for employers who send their employees for training — because they have to pay first and get reimbursed later. He added that awareness of the scheme is also low, which is why it is being redesigned as an online wallet. Each company will get $10,000 online credits to offset any training costs, as announced earlier in Budget 2025. It will be ready in the second half of 2026. The culture of lifelong learning and skills development has to be strengthened, said PM Wong, which requires a 'major mindset shift'. 'Learning is not about cramming for examinations or attaining academic qualifications,' he said. 'Learning is really about continuous improvements throughout life, whether by learning new things, deepening one's existing expertise, or putting in the effort to maximise your potential in everything you do across your life.' Everyone has a part to play, including individuals, employers and trade associations, labour movement and unions, and tertiary institutions and training providers, PM Wong said. 'It is quite a complex ecosystem, which is why, in countries everywhere, no one really has a good model,' he said. 'We are at the vanguard of this, and we have been trying to put together all the different pieces, all the institutions, partners, stakeholders, and fit them all in, align the incentives, get everyone to work together on the same path.' Good progress has been made in the last 10 years, he added, and the Government will continue to do its part as an employer and policymaker. The SkillsFuture movement is a 'key pillar of our refreshed social contract in Singapore', PM Wong said. 'It's a major effort to transform our economy and our society.' 'We have stepped up significantly our investments in SkillsFuture, but there is still much more to do, and we will continue to do more in the coming years together.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Feeling stuck in your career? Join the conversation on how to level up with ST Podcasts on June 3
ST Engineering telecommunications system engineer Noel Png (centre) and Workforce Singapore senior career coach Parameswari Seenivasan (right) will chat with Headstart on Record host Tay Hong Yi about how to build a meaningful career and stay relevant amid changes in the job landscape at Rasa at Republic Plaza on June 3. ST GRAPHIC: AMIRUL KARIM Feeling stuck in your career? Join the conversation on how to level up with ST Podcasts on June 3 SINGAPORE – Is your career failing its health check? Wondering how to pivot, grow or stay ahead in a constantly changing world? Join a discussion and learn practical strategies on how to build a meaningful and rewarding career during the upcoming ST Podcasts Live event on June 3, at Raffles Place's new hangout space Rasa. Titled 'How to build a career for the ages', the dialogue is part of The Straits Times' Headstart On Record podcast, which aims to help young listeners level up their careers and personal finances. ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi, who co-hosts the podcast, will be speaking with Mr Noel Png, a telecommunications system engineer at ST Engineering, and Ms Parameswari Seenivasan, a senior career coach with Workforce Singapore (WSG). Having transitioned from engineering to sales before returning to engineering, Mr Png, who is in his early 30s, was able to tap his transferrable skills to manoeuvre through different industries in a strategic manner and eventually find his purpose. He also has experience working in Europe, spending four years there before returning to Singapore in 2024 . Meanwhile, Ms Seenivasan brings with her more than 15 years of career coaching expertise, and she believes in helping individuals align their career choices with their personal values and long-term objectives. The Headstart On Record podcast airs every first and third Monday of the month. The live recording on June 3 is organised in partnership with WSG in support of Career Health, a SkillsFuture initiative that aims to empower Singaporeans to develop resilient and fulfilling careers. The ST Podcasts Live recording on June 3 will take place at Rasa at Republic Plaza. PHOTO: MARTIN YEOH Following that dialogue, a second podcast recording will take place. The Music Lab podcast will be hosted by ST music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi, who will be interviewing award-winning music director and producer Evan Low on how he built a music career in Singapore, scoring big projects such as composing National Day Parade songs and touring with regional stars. The audience will be able to pose their burning questions to the panellists during the question-and-answer session after each podcast. Those who are interested in attending the podcast discussions can sign up at The first ST Podcasts Live event took place on Feb 12 at social impact hub The Foundry, kicking off The Straits Times' 180th-year celebrations. This was followed by the second podcast event on April 15 at The Projector, with about 100 people attending the recording. ST Podcasts Live at Rasa Where: Rasa, 9 Raffles Place, Republic Plaza Tower 1, #02-01/02, Singapore 048619 When: 6.30pm to 9pm on June 3, 2025 Topics: (Headstart On Record podcast) How to build a career for the ages; (Music Lab podcast) How I make a living out of music – interview with Evan Low How to sign up:
