It’s a fund, it’s a scheme – no, it’s SkillsFuture

05 May 2016

The Straits Times, 5 May 2016 - Commentary by education correspondent Amelia Teng explored what the term ‘SkillsFuture’ means to the man on the streets after the national initiative was launched one and a half years ago. She mentioned that due to the philosophical nature of SkillsFuture, it is harder for Singaporeans to understand it compared to other policies. Among poly students, the Enhanced Internships and Earn and Learn Programmes will be familiar to them as these two SkillsFuture components will affect them directly.  However, Amelia also noted that it is unclear if SkillsFuture will have any impact on pent-up demand for university education among poly graduates as the number of poly students enrolling in local universities have been rising over the years. SP principal Tan Choon Shian shared that the polytechnics aim to help students get a better sense of what different jobs are like, so that students can make an informed choice.  Mr Tan also mentioned that for students whose results allows them to pursue further studies or work, the polytechnics will not influence them in either way and will respect the student’s decision. However, for certain sectors like food manufacturing whom the polytechnics have deep partnerships with and where there are good plans in place for employees, the polytechnics will advise students to take on work experience first. Commentary also noted that Acting Education Minister Ong Ye Kung has summed up SkillsFuture in three key ideas: Mastery of skills, a broader and more inclusive meritocracy and finally, a personal enterprise. Mr Tan echoed Minister Ong’s comments and mentioned that for an individual, SkillsFuture is about a choice and a journey of mastery, pride and success as one needs to learn all the time. Ultimately, the community will recognise mastery and celebrate such learners.