Forward-Looking Skills Development - Singapore’s perspective experience 16 March 2010 Mr Jeffrey Wong, Divisional Director , Manpower Planning & Policy Division, Ministry of Manpower, Singapore 1

CET Masterplan to prepare workers for the future Comprehensive plan to develop human capital as a source of competitive advantage for Singapore: CET is accessible, affordable and adds value to the careers of all workers The CET system will: For employers: enhance effectiveness and productivity by helping their workers acquire industry relevant skills and stay ahead of industry developments For workers: integrate the education and CET systems to form a lifelong learning system to help workers find their niches, seize opportunities in new growth areas and remain industry relevant

New issues faced by Singaporean workers… Structural unemployment A Strong CET Infrastructure is required to up-skill workers and meet industry needs 24 16 5 62 & beyond age Pre-employment education Kindergarten → University Continuing Education and Training Industry-based and accessible skills training for working adults Shaping the need for New issues faced by Singaporean workers… Structural unemployment Multiple careers in a working life Technological, economic and demographic changes Emerging Industries requiring new skills

Sustained Funding (LLEF & SDF) Aim to build a first class Continuing Education & Training (CET) system 1. Prioritise and develop standards Quality Training Providers Career Centres Tripartite Outreach Sustained Funding (LLEF & SDF) Quality Trainers Skills Standards 3. Drive industry adoption & implement progs 2. Build up trng providers National CET Institutes CET Centre Approved Training Organisations Two National CET Campuses (by 2013)

CET infrastructure comprises three pillars WSQ ES CET Institutions (Employability Skills ) (Workforce Skills Qualifications System)

Employability Skills (ES) equips our workforce with generic and portable skills… Workplace literacy & numeracy Information & Communications Technology Problem Solving & Decision Making Initiative & Enterprise Communication & Relationship Management Lifelong Learning Global Mindset Self-management Workplace-related Life Skills Health & Workplace Safety

Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) provides upgrading pathways in specific industries Industry X Career transitions Industry Y Occupational skills within industry cluster WSQ Occupational Skills Generic skills & knowledge relevant to an industry cluster Industry Knowledge & Skills The economy as a whole Generic Employability Skills Underlying Principles  Authoritative  Accessible  Relevant  Allows for progression

But WSQ training is only as good as the institutions delivering them Examples of CET Institutions 50 CET Institutions ES NTUC LearningHub Generic Manufacturing Electronics Industries Training Centre (ELITC) Healthcare Support Health Management International Ltd (HMI) Landscape Centre of Urban Greenery and Ecology Precision Engineering Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology Retail Singapore Institute of Retail Studies Security Security Industry Institute Tourism and F&B Tourism Management Institute of Singapore At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy

Such an infrastructure brings assistance directly to workers… Build up CET institutions Reduced Course Fees Application for reimbursement Employer support

CET for the future Forward planning: we make sure the skills requirements of industries including new investments are factored in early in the planning process Integration of CET plans with economic plans: this is done by the same agencies responsible for the economic planning of Singapore, and we also seek industry’s inputs Broad directions are set by Ministerial-level National Manpower Council as well as the recently established National Productivity and CET Council

Building Up Skills Base in Key Sectors Finance Precision Eng Local Skills Base Tourism Aerospace

CET plays critical role in supporting economic growth and labour market Source: Administrative Records

THANK YOU