Written Answer to Unanswered Oral Question

Progress of Adoption of Skills Frameworks as Part of Industry Transformation Maps

Speakers

Summary

This question concerns the progress of Skills Frameworks adoption across Industry Transformation Map (ITM) sectors, raised by Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan. Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing stated that by 2019, 33 frameworks were completed, with a survey showing 44% adoption among ITM companies. SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) expands adoption through HR workshops with trade associations and by integrating frameworks into the Progressive Wage Model for specific sectors. SSG also leverages SkillsFuture Queen Bee companies to reach small and medium enterprises, helping them identify skills gaps and map out development plans. Finally, SSG collaborates with technology partners to integrate framework content into digital HR solutions, allowing employers to better curate training for workforce transformation.

Transcript

48 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Education whether he can provide an update on the progress of the adoption of the skills frameworks that have been developed as part of the 23 Industry Transformation Maps.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: Skills Frameworks were first introduced in 2016, with 33 Skills Frameworks completed by 2019. Based on a 2019 survey of around 1,900 companies in the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) sectors, 44% of the respondents had adopted Skills Frameworks linked to the 23 ITM sectors.

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) engages different partners to expand adoption of Skills Framework. First, SSG works with unions and trade associations and chambers, such as the Singapore National Employers Federation and the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, to run workshops for enterprises. This helps to guide enterprises to apply the Skills Frameworks for various HR needs, such as crafting job descriptions or in performance appraisal. The Skills Frameworks are also used for developing skills progression pathways under the Progressive Wage Model, in sectors such as Security and Landscape.

Second, SSG partners SkillsFuture Queen Bee companies such as Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, Sheng Siong and Prudential to reach out to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within their networks, and to use the Skills Frameworks to help these companies identify skills gaps and map out skills development plans.

Third, to further enhance the accessibility of Skills Frameworks across companies, SSG works with HR Information system partners such as JobTech and JobKred to integrate Skills Framework content into companies’ digital workforce solutions. Through these efforts, employers can better identify their skills gaps and curate training programmes that meet their business transformation and workforce development needs.