What Is The SkillsFuture System And How It Can Benefit The Workforce

Even a decade ago, very few people would have been able to imagine that they would be able to enrol in a diverse range of online courses at affordable rates if they wished so. Very few would have imagined that they would be actually required to pursue these courses in order to stay employable in a highly competitive market. With changing times, the demands of work sectors have also changed. Various factors ranging from lifestyle habits to business models, rapid technological advances and globalisation are making their impact felt heavily across various work sectors. In a work environment that is evolving at such a breakneck speed, how are individuals expected to put forth impeccable performance consistently?

 

Singapore has come up with a practical and effective solution to this pressing problem. It is true that each industry requires a skills-based workforce. It is important to focus on continually developing the skills of individuals in order to fully meet the professional challenges of the future with help of the SkillsFuture system.

 

What is SkillsFuture?

 

SkillsFuture is a national movement to help Singaporeans to enhance their skills and strive towards realising their full potential throughout life. This movement aims at enhancing an individual's skills, passion and contributions no matter where he came from. Through this movement, Singapore will be able to proceed towards an advanced economy and inclusive society.

 

The four thrusts that will support this national effort are:

 

i. “Help individuals to make well-informed choices in education, training and careers”

 

There will be ample guidance that will enable individuals to make the best choices in education, training and their careers. The guidance will start from counselling in schools and will extend throughout an individual’s working life. It will be conducted with the collaboration of Government, industries as well as institutions. This collaboration will give individuals exposure to a wide range of opportunities from a young age. Easily accessible updated information on the changing needs of the job market will help him to choose jobs correctly and succeed easily.

 

ii. “Develop an integrated high-quality system of education and training that responds to constantly evolving needs”

 

The education and training systems will be reviewed to ensure that young individuals are being exposed to a sound and broad-based education. It will also ensure that young individuals are getting to know about a wide range of occupations and industries. There will be opportunities to develop new specialisations.

 

iii. “Promote employer recognition and career development based on skills and mastery”

 

The government will work with employers to design and implement a framework that will help individuals to work on their skills. This will help them to climb the skill ladders swiftly. Each sector will have its own panel led by employers and will be supported by unions and government agencies.

 

iv. “Foster a culture that supports and celebrates lifelong learning”

 

Every employee needs to be respected for his skills, his achievements, for his interest as well as for his work. This will encourage individuals to attain mastery in their own fields and also promote the habit of learning throughout life.

 

The SkillsFuture Credit system is not only focused on promoting lifelong learning. It also means to encourage Singaporeans to gain skills mastery. It aims to help employers in build a skills-based future. This system can help individuals to select clear career progression pathways. By following the skills development frameworks, both employers and employees will be able to actively contribute towards improving workplace culture and successfully meet the demands of a skills-based future.