Extension of SkillsFuture to Cover Degree Courses for Career Switchers
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong’s inquiry on extending the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme to university degrees and career switchers. Parliamentary Secretary Ms Low Yen Ling replied that the programme currently targets polytechnic and ITE graduates to facilitate sector entry and skills deepening. She explained that work-learn concepts are already being integrated into undergraduate education through initiatives like the Singapore Institute of Technology’s integrated work-study programmes. For career switchers, Parliamentary Secretary Ms Low Yen Ling highlighted the Professional Conversion Programmes under the Adapt and Grow initiative as a work-learn alternative. These programmes span various industries, including logistics and social services, and are specifically designed to help adult learners address skills mismatches through specialization.
Transcript
1 Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) whether the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme can be extended to (i) university education and (ii) workers who wish to study for a first or second degree in order to switch careers and specialise in a different field, so as to address the growing skills mismatch in the labour market.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers for Education (Ms Low Yen Ling) (for the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills)): Mdm Speaker, the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme is an important work-learn initiative targeted primarily at fresh graduates from the polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education to facilitate their entry into the sector they are trained for, while enabling them to deepen their skills and attain higher qualifications.
There is less impetus to do this for universities because most graduates will not, at least not immediately, go beyond an undergraduate degree.
Notwithstanding, there is much benefit to incorporate the concept of work-learn in undergraduate education and lifelong learning. Hence, the Singapore Institute of Technology already offers the integrated work-study programme, where undergraduates are attached to industries up to a year. Various universities are also working with industries to develop work-learn undergraduate programmes. Each degree programme caters to the specific needs of the industry with the aim of developing industry-ready graduates.
As for lifelong learning, adult learners can tap on various programmes under the Adapt and Grow initiative, such as the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs). PCPs are available across a broad range of industries, including aerospace, logistics and social services, and are also work-learn in nature.