Abstract
Technology is radically transforming every industry sector in Singapore and most parts of the world. As Singaporean leaders have continually reiterated, this will continue to have a severe impact on jobs, professions and careers. The key to growth ultimately depends on how fast a country is able to restructure its industries to remain competitive and how workers, young or old, can develop new skills to stay relevant. This chapter focuses on Singapore’s SkillsFuture movement and its ambition to encourage every citizen, no matter what stage they are in, to attain personal mastery by continuously learning. It details government efforts at promoting as well as funding skill training, professional conversion programmes and lifelong learning to ensure career resilience especially among older workers. Many of these efforts require close collaboration between government agencies, trade associations, training providers as well as institutes of higher learning. The chapter provides insights into how older workers are adjusting to the digital economy and the disruptive technology, and highlights key success factors that are crucial to ensure that social cohesion and citizen welfare are not sacrificed in the drive to maintain economic growth and stability.
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Notes
- 1.
Kalirajan & Shantakumar, 1998.
- 2.
See BBC New article, “Singapore Tops in Global Rankings” dated 6 Dec 2016 at https://www.bbc.com/news/education-38212070
- 3.
See Business Times article at https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/2016-unemployment-at-6-year-high-amid-more-layoffs-fewer-vacancies
- 4.
For full report, see https://www.gov.sg/microsites/future-economy/the-cfe-report/7-strategies
- 5.
Details of PCPs can be found here: http://www.wsg.gov.sg/programmes-and-initiatives/professional-conversion-programmes.html
- 6.
See Channelnews Asia article at http://channelnewsasia.com/news/business/industry-transformation-maps-to-be-developed-formore-than-20-se-8147322
- 7.
See here for details on the SkillsFuture Series and the eight critical areas of training: http://www.skillsfuture.sg/emergingskills
- 8.
Kalirajan, K. P., & Shantakumar, G. (1998). Ageing labour force in a labour shortage economy: the case of Singapore. International Journal of Social Economics.
- 9.
Channelnewsasia.com/news/sigapore/budget/2020-more-support for transformation-of workers.
- 10.
- 11.
See the Ministry of Manpower, Summary Table: Labour Force: https://stats.mom.gov.sg/Pages/Labour-Force-Summary-Table.aspx
- 12.
Lim Lai Cheng (2018), Future-Skilling Our Workforce: Policy Changes and Practices to Align Tertiary Education with National Manpower Goals and Initiative in Singapore, Proceeding on Synthesis of Researches and Case Studies for Aligning Thai Education with Labor Market Needs under “Thailand 4.0” Scheme.
References
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Channelnewsasia.com. (2020). Channelnewsasia.com/news/sigapore/budget/2020-more-support for transformation-of workers. For full report, see https://www.gov.sg/microsites/futureeconomy/the-cfe-report/7-strategies here for details on the Skills Future Series and the eight critical areas of training http://www.skillsfuture.sg/emergingskills
Cheng, L. L. (2018). Future-skilling our workforce: Policy changes and practices to align tertiary education with national manpower goals and initiative in Singapore. Proceeding on synthesis of researches and case studies for aligning Thai education with labor market needs under “Thailand 4.0” scheme.
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The contribution of this chapter consists of substantial materials provided by Dr. Lim Lai Cheng (email: limlaicheng@gmail.com). The compilation in which the material is subject to editorial scrutiny is done by Pennee Narot and Narong Kiettikunwong.
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Narot, P., Kiettikunwong, N. (2021). Manpower Planning and Lifelong Learning in Singapore: Implications for Older Workers. In: Narot, P., Kiettikunwong, N. (eds) Education for the Elderly in the Asia Pacific. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 59. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3326-3_9
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