The rapid pace of digitalisation and technological change in industry and commerce means that individuals need to regularly update and build upon their existing skills and knowledge base. The Ai Group Centre for Education and Training’s report: Skilling Australia to lock in our digital future (2022) found that, ‘changes in technology are driving shifts in job function and job design’. This has necessitated employers, government, and workers to prioritise adult learning, training and skills development to better equip people to deal with these changes.
In the Centre’s recent skills survey, skills shortages were reported across all occupations due to factors like changes in technology (30%), new work practices (25%), new machinery, technology or tools (22%), and new software or systems (17%). To meet these changes, 34% of companies said they would prioritise re-skilling existing staff on the job. In light of this data, the Centre favours a culture of lifelong learning supported by an education and training system that can rapidly and flexibly upskill workers through, for example, short, stackable training options, like microcredentials. This is why the Centre is taking note of cultural changes to adult learning in countries like Singapore.
The Singaporean government is placing a strong emphasis on education and the importance of continuous learning. This is evident in the country’s ongoing and steadfast reforms to adult learning, which aim to promote lifelong learning and equip workers with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
In a recent speech by Minister of State for Education, Ms. Gan Siow Huang, she emphasised the need for individuals to continuously upskill and reskill themselves to stay relevant in an increasingly digital and competitive global economy. The Minister acknowledged that the traditional model of education, where individuals study for a set period and then stop learning, is no longer sufficient in today's rapidly changing world.
In her speech, the Minister released the new Training and Adult Education (TAE) Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025, which builds on the TAE ITM 2020 and aims to achieve four key strategies:
These strategies are aimed at creating a more integrated and cohesive system of training and education that will benefit individuals and industry alike.
The government's reforms to adult learning focus on creating a culture of lifelong learning, where individuals have access to a wide range of opportunities to continue learning and developing new skills throughout their life. This is achieved through a combination of government-led initiatives, such as the SkillsFuture program, and private-sector initiatives, such as continuing education and training programs offered by universities and private companies.
The SkillsFuture program, launched in 2015, provides individuals with a credit that can be used to offset the cost of various training and development programs. This initiative encourages individuals to take charge of their own learning and career development, and provides them with the support they need to do so.
Since 2015, all Singaporeans aged over 25 years have been eligible to receive a SkillsFuture credit of S$500 (Singaporean Dollars) to reskill and upskill with additional one-off payments of S$500 to individuals aged 40 to 60 years to assist with mid-career transitions. According to the latest annual report on the program, 660,000 individuals and 24,000 companies participated in SkillsFuture programmes and initiatives in 2021.
In addition to the SkillsFuture program, the government has also made a significant investment in the development of a robust digital infrastructure that enables individuals to access a wide range of online learning resources. This includes online courses, workshops, and seminars, as well as virtual classrooms and online communities that provide individuals with opportunities to connect with like-minded people and continue learning.
Furthermore, the government has also introduced a number of initiatives to encourage employers to invest in the training and development of their employees. This includes tax incentives, grants, and other support measures that encourage companies to provide their employees with opportunities to continue learning and developing new skills.
The government's focus on continuous and lifelong learning has several key benefits for individuals, companies, and the wider economy. Firstly, it helps individuals to stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing job market. Secondly, it boosts the productivity and competitiveness of companies by providing employees with the skills they need to succeed in their roles. Thirdly, it contributes to the overall economic growth of the country by promoting a highly skilled and educated workforce.
The Singaporean government's reforms to adult learning are an important step in promoting lifelong learning and ensuring that individuals have the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By providing individuals with access to a wide range of learning opportunities, and encouraging employers to invest in their employees, the government is laying the foundation for a highly skilled and competitive workforce that will drive economic growth and prosperity for years to come.
Australian businesses and governments can learn much from the strategies and reforms Singapore has instituted to create a more resilient and robust economy and workforce.
Learn more about this initiative with this news item from Channel News Asia here.
