Workforce Development in Singapore

Workforce Development in SingaporeThe Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)

B ildiIntroduction – Mission and vision of

Leveraging on CET Infrastructure

BuildingContinuing Education & Training (CET)

WDAInfrastructureTraining (CET)

Infrastructure

WDA is still a young organisation

• Formed on 1 Sep 2003 as a statutory body under the Ministry of Manpower

MissionMissionMissionMission

Enhance employability and competitiveness of our workforce

VisionVision

A resilient, skilled and agile workforce for a vibrant Singapore economy

We tap on 2 sources of fund to fulfill our mission

The Skills Development Fund

• Funded by levy on employers• Funds part of training fees of workers• Collects about $80m a year

The Lifelong Learning Fund

• An endowment fund set up by Government• Promotes continuous learning and upgrading

F d tl t d t $2 2 billi• Fund currently stands at $2.2 billion• Interest of $88 million a year

Following the economic crisis in 2003, we are now in a new phase of growth…

• Roller coaster ride from 1997 to 2003• Strongly rebounded in 2005• 176 000 new jobs in 2006• 176,000 new jobs in 2006• But structural unemployment is an issue

Resident Unemployment Rate (%) 1994 2005

5

6

Resident Unemployment Rate (%), 1994 - 2005

3

4

5

0

1

2

01994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 Year

Our workforce is getting more qualified & educated…

47 0%38.5%

47.0% 63.0%

29.4%26.0%

32.1% 27 0%

19.0%

27.0%

20061996

18.0%

2015

Professionals, Managers, Executives & TechniciansClerical, Sales & Service WorkersProduction & Transport Operators, Cleaners & Labourers

… but with declining birth rates, we have a shrinking pool of local workers…

High Birth RatesDeclining Birth Rates

Local workers net inflow per annum 41,000 p.a.

28,000 p.a.

2005 2010 2015

… which is ageing rapidly…

70 and above

Over 50 % of workforce will be above 40 years old by 2020

8.1%

12.2%

15 1

60 ‐69

50 ‐59

70 and above2.8%

4.7%

7 0% 15.1

15.2%

15.2%

40 ‐49

30 ‐39

7.0%

9.9%

14.0%

13.3%

10.4%

20 ‐29

10 ‐19

0 9

22.1%

21.9%

10.5%0 ‐ 9

1980 2020 (Projected)

Source: Department of Statistics

17.6%

Source: 1980 Census

… and the older workers are generally less educated and more vulnerable…

500,000

Abo

ve

300 000

400,000

ed 5

0 &

A

200,000

300,000

ons

Age

100,000

. of P

ers

Secondary & Below

No

2004 2015

Post Secondary

We need to help vulnerable workers, and at the same time prepare everyone multiple careers to adapt to a changing economic landscapeeconomic landscape

• Technology and economic changes

• No more lifetime employment

• Emerging Industries requiring new skills

• Economy moving to higher value add

Which is why we made building up aWhich is why we made building up a CET system our central enterprise

Introduction – Mission and vision of

BuildingCET Leveraging on

CETWDA Infrastructure CET

Infrastructure

A Strong CET Infrastructure is required to up-skill workers and meet industry needs

P l t d ti

24165 62 & beyondage

Pre-employment educationKindergarten → University

CETShaping the need forIndustry-based and accessible skills training for working adults

p g

There are new issues faced by Singaporean workers• Structural unemployment• Multiple careers in a working life• Technology and economic changes

There are new issues faced by Singaporean workers…

gy g• Emerging Industries requiring new skills

We focus on 4 key outcomes in developing a CET infrastructure

• Support industry growth– Build pipeline of local workers who can take up jobs in growth

tsectors

• Bridge structural skills gapR t i k d di t th t hi h th– Retrain workers and redirect them to high growth areas

• Raise industry standardsQ t l i biliti hi h ill l d t i d i d t– Quantum leap in capabilities which will lead to increased industry competitiveness and growth

• Employability for low skilled workers• Employability for low skilled workers– Equip low skilled workers with basic skills to maximise their

chances of finding jobs

CET infrastructure comprises 3 pillars

ESS WSQ CETInstitutions(Employability Skills System) (Workforce Skills Qualifications)

ESS equips our workforce with generic and portable skills…

ESS• Workplace literacy & numeracy • Lifelong Learning

• Information & Communications Technology

• Problem Solving & Decision M ki

• Global Mindset

• Self-managementMaking

• Initiative & Enterprise

C i ti & R l ti hi

• Workplace-related Life Skills

• Communication & Relationship Management • Health & Workplace

Safety

… and serves as an alternative pathway for workers without ‘O’ or ‘N’ Level certifications

ESSRecognised Alternative Criteria

UPGRADING EMPLOYMENTI tit t f T h i l Ed ti Ci il S i• Institute of Technical Education

• Singapore Hotels and Tourism Education Centre

Si H R

• Civil Service

• Giordano Originals (S) Pte Ltd

• Carrefour Singapore Pte Ltd• Singapore Human Resources

Institute

• Construction Industry Training Institute

• Metro (Pte) Ltd

• Cathay Organisation Holdings

Wing Tai Retail• Real Estate and Construction

Centre

• The Retail Academy of Singapore

• Wing Tai Retail

• ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

• OTO Bodycare Ptd Ltdy g p

• Tourism Management Institute of Singapore

• at-sunrice

• Orchid Country Club

• City Development Limited

WSQ provides a upgrading pathway in specific industry occupations

WSQ Occupational Skills

Occupationalskills withinthe industryWSQ

Industry

the industry cluster

Generic skills & knowledge Knowledge

& Skills

knowledge relevant to an

industry cluster

Generic Employability Skills

Theeconomy

as a whole

Underlying PrinciplesAuthority Accessibility Relevance Progression

We have completed 12 WSQ Frameworks and are developing several others

WSQ

Completed• Retail • Training

• Security• LandscapeWSQ Training

• Employability Skills System• Finance• Precision Engineering

Landscape• Service Excellence• InfoComms Technology• Generic ManufacturingPrecision Engineering

• Tourism• Food & Beverage• Community and Social

Generic Manufacturing Skills

• Aerospace• Integrated Resort and Spa• Community and Social

Serviceseg a ed eso a d Spa

In Progress• Process Industries

• Healthcare Support

• Human Resource

• Creative Industries

But WSQ training is only as good as the institutions delivering them

CETInstitutions

Key CET InstitutionsTourism and F&B• Tourism Management Institute of SingaporeInstitutions • Tourism Management Institute of Singapore

• Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre

• at-sunrice

Retail• Singapore Institute of Retail Studies

LandscapeLandscape• Centre of Urban Greenery and Ecology

Infocomm Technology• Tiny Island Academy

SecuritySecurity Industry Institute

ESS• NTUC LearningHub

Such an infrastructure brings assistance directly to workers…

Build up CETinstitutions

ReducedCourse Fees

EmployerApplication for reimbursement Employer

support

Introduction – Mission and vision of

Leveraging on CET

BuildingCET

WDA InfrastructureInfrastructure

We leverage on the infrastructure to implement various programmes to reach out to workers…

Upgrading• Executive

Development

Placements• Place and Train

Others• ADVANTAGE!

Development Programmes

• Current Good Manufacturing

• Professionals Conversion Programme

•Diploma in Nursing

• Job Re-creation Programme

• GEMS Initiatives

Practice

• Skills Upgrading for Hawkers Programme

•Diploma in Nursing (Accelerated) Programme

•CRAFT for Chefs

• GEMS Appreciation Initiative

• GEMS Service Awareness

•Digital Media Manpower Development Programme

Awareness Programme

• Customer Centric InitiativesProgramme

•Property Officer Re-skilling Programme

Our Place and Train Programmes put workers into jobs and provide them with the relevant training

• Ensure that a worker lands a job before we start investing in his training

• Matching supply and demand for workers• Helps industries build a pipeline of workers to support

their activities and growth

Electronics Place and Train

Marine Place and Train

Our Professionals Conversion Programme aim to help Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (or PMETs)( )

• Help displaced PMETs to upgrade their skills or k it h t t k d t f thmake career switches to take advantage of the

new opportunities available.

• CRAFT for Chefs Programme– 1 year apprenticeship

• Diploma in Nursing (Accelerated) Programme• Diploma in Nursing (Accelerated) Programme – 2 years full time training

We support redesign work in various sectors to improve job worth and enhance employability

CleaningCleaning HealthcareHealthcare

HorticultureHorticulture

SecuritySecuritySecuritySecurity

We have achieved good results in the past few years

WORKFORCE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS (WSQ)

7 WSQ Framework DevelopedYR 2007(Till Sep) 20 Quality Providers appointed

47,000 workers obtained WSQ Statements of Attainment

UPGRADING

(Till Sep)

UPGRADING

147,000 workers upgraded through WDA’s efforts

PLACEMENT AND RETENTIONPLACEMENT AND RETENTION

6,000 placed in jobs via skills conversion programmes for priority sectors or targeted groups

9,200 jobseekers who were not job ready (in terms of skills) placed in jobs

54% retention rate after 3 months

Thank you