Institutes of higher learning to play larger role in upskilling workers Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/institutes-of-higher-learning-to-play-larger-role-in-upskilling-9353154
There must be a direct relationship and direct outcome that :- (1) After going through this training and certification - the trained retrenched workers or workers that are going for conversion - can be readily accepted and recruited by Companies. (2) Thus Government, IHLs, Training Centre, Union and Companies, Management, HR - must establish this framework, agreement and understanding. (3) Only then this will ensure that SkillFuture and Professional Conversion Programme -- is the right formula, right antidote, right medicine ---- that will have solve the displacement of jobs by disruptive technologies, by business transformation or industry transformation.
Only then, our current workforce and our successive descendants' future can be assured.
Next, (1) assume this byte-size module that contribute to IHL certification is readily accepted by Companies and Enterprises. Will say 3 such certifications lead to a "Post graduate diploma"? And say 5 such certifications lead to a "Post graduate degree"?
(2) Next thing to ask - will Government Ministries, Statutory Board, Government-link Organisations - recruit such workers (displaced, retrenched or converted workers) - through such IHL certifications, post-graduate diplomas or post-graduate degree through such programmes?
Government Organisations must set example to readily recruit suchtrained workers before private Enterprise - GLCs, MNCs, SMEs will believe and accept such graduates --- ie. do and follow by examples.
-- If the above 2 can be achieved, then we can safely declared that Skillsfuture and Professional Conversion Programme is a success, is a formula, is the right antidote, is the right medicine --- that will have successfully counter and resolve job displacement by disruptive technologies, business transformation and industry transformation --- and this will have achieve the objective of the ITM (Industry Transformation Map).
This issue needs to be taken seriously because :- (1) Social implication - if many workers are displaced - it will have social cost to the workers and its families. Also social burden to the Government, taxpayers and Nation as a whole will rise.
(2) Economic implication - as more workers are displaced and skillsets are not relevant to the industries, Organisations will be facing labour shortages and these will impact the growth of the organisations and consequently its profitability.
(3) Many Government worldwide have displaced - for eg. we see the Brexit - now Bregrets, Trump syndrome, Le Pen movement in France, Hitler-far right movement winning more seats in Germany, Catalan scrambling for independence in Spain etc. --- all because of worldwide job displacement, migrants problem, business transformation, industries transformation - raw capitalism and disruptive technologies displacing jobs.
Thus we need to find the right formula, the right antidote and the right medicine to solve this --- otherwise it will be a massive social, economic and political upheaval - to any Countries in the World.
SINGAPORE: More than 400 bite-sized courses will be offered primarily by institutes of higher learning (IHLs) under a new initiative called the SkillsFuture Series, said Education Minister (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung on Saturday (Oct 28).
The courses will cover eight emerging and important areas - such as cyber security, urban solutions and tech-enabled services - that are central to Singapore's future economy needs
Mr Ong was speaking at the launch of the Lifelong Learning Festival at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability.
"Several of these areas will cover new technologies that have caused some sense of uncertainty and worry among workers," he said.
"We hope that through the SkillsFuture Series, the new and unknown can be demystified, and Singaporeans can pick up relevant skills and knowledge and face the future with greater confidence and enthusiasm,"
The Education Ministry will be investing over S$70 million in the SkillsFuture Series over the next three years to pre-subsidise up to 70 per cent of the course fees. With subsidies, majority of the basic levels of the modular courses will cost less than S$500.
Individuals and businesses can then tap on their SkillsFuture Credit to pay balance.
In addition, Singaporeans who qualify for enhanced subsides such as the Enhanced Training Support for SMES of SkillsFuture Mid-career enhanced subsidy will continue to get further subsidies of up to 90 per cent of fees at the basic course level.
The courses, which span basic, intermediate and advanced levels, will target some 10,000 people for a start. Each level averages about 25 hours, or about three days of training. Course offerings will continue to expand, up to three-fold, with the aim of benefiting some 50,000 Singaporeans annually by 2020.
As the Education Ministry invests more in industry-relevant, modular training for adult workers, Mr Ong said the reality of a finite budget means there is a need to prioritise funding. Therefore, MOE will review the funding arrangement and delivery of postgraduate Masters' programmes by coursework at the Autonomous Universities.
"Some of these may be skills and vocational-based, and better delivered as modular industry training leading to graduate certifications. Further, we will have to re-look the funding levels for coursework programmes which are purely academic in nature," said Mr Ong.
He added that any changes will take effect no earlier than 2019.
Tapping on IHLs to build up Singapore's supply of continuing education training is important, said Mr Ong, given what he called their 'tremendous delivery capabilities'. Currently IHLs account for only 8 per cent of CET training.
This year's Lifelong Learning festival will be held from Oct 28 to Nov 27. Members of the public can participate in over 300 activities across Singapore. The annual event aims to build a culture of lifelong learning to support the SkillsFuture movement among Singaporeans.
Source: CNA/rw Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/institutes-of-higher-learning-to-play-larger-role-in-upskilling-9353154
Singapore’s economic restructuring promising so far: Heng Swee Keat
imaScreengrab from footage of Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat during his visit to Moulmein-Cairnhill.ByOlivia Siong@OliviaSiongCNA
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SINGAPORE: The results of Singapore’s restructuring efforts so far are promising, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, adding that good progress can be made if the country persists in the endeavour.
Speaking to the media after a dialogue with about 180 Moulmein-Cairnhill residents on Sunday (Oct 29), Mr Heng pointed out that slightly more than one-third of theIndustry Transformation Maps (ITMs)have already been launched.
The S$4.5 billion programme was started last year and aims to develop roadmaps for 23 industries, with the goal of changing the way companies and employees work.
“The ITMs have allowed us to integrate the efforts of the various agencies, various parties, in a much more coherent and effective way,” said Mr Heng.
“I think it is an improvement over what we've been doing in the past, where the focus was just on productivity and skills. By integrating the different elements we are addressing the issues more holistically.”
Outlining the issues facing Singapore in the future, Mr Heng told dialogue participants these include globalisation, the rapid advancement of technology and the country’s ageing population.
“For us, the key is transformation. Every sector of the economy must transform, must change, be productive, so that our workers have better skills and with better skills we can command better wages, our companies have greater capability to compete and also go out to the world and not just look at a small market,” said Mr Heng.
“That work is not straightforward, but I am confident that we can do it.”
Mr Heng also pointed out that while this year’s economic data seems better, Singapore “must not be complacent”.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)on Fridaysaid it expects the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to come in at the upper half of the 2 to 3 per cent forecast range this year.
“We must continue to make that push, with great perseverance in the coming years and to continue to work together, then we will have a good future,” said Mr Heng.
Around 180 residents attended the dialogue, where issues ranging from education to rising healthcare costs were raised.
NEW MOBILE APP FOR RESIDENTS LAUNCHED
During his visit to Moulmein-Cairnhill, Mr Heng also launched a new mobile application called Mo-Ca Cares, which aims to better connect residents who need help, with those who can offer assistance.
Users can suggest ways they want to contribute to the community, for example by offering free haircuts or tuition to children.
Residents will also be able to look through a "job bank" listing work opportunities in the constituency.
Five merchant associations, including the Orchard Road Business Association and Little India Shopkeepers & Heritage Association, have pledged their support for the initiative.
A new wellness fund was also launched by the division to subsidise the cost of health screenings for residents.
Set to begin in January 2018, about S$10,000 has been collected in donations from residents so far.
A scheme that has been providing meal vouchers to needy residents since 2008 was also re-launched.
There are now 55 stalls from Pek Kio Food Centre and other coffee shops in the vicinity involved, up from 33 when the programme first began.
“With 88 per cent of our constituency being private residences, actually I have met many people who can help and who are willing to help,” said MP for the area Melvin Yong.
For example, he noted that while many of the bursaries and scholarships currently take academic results into account, the division is thinking about setting up a fund to support young people who may have other unique talents.
Source: CNA/am
Read more at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-economic-restructuring-promising-so-far-heng-swee-9355360
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