National Skills And Qualifications Framework Launched To Skill Up Singapore’s Workforce
- The pioneer batch of the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) graduates receive their certificates from Dr Ng Eng Hen
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) unveiled a national skills and qualifications framework for workers to skill up to remain employable and competitive. Called the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system, it was launched by Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen on 27 October 2005 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
2 The WSQ is a robust system benchmarked against world standards which WDA has developed in close consultation with various sectors’ Industry Skills and Training Councils that the agency has set up. The system spells out the training and certification pathways for workers to enhance their skills and capabilities, and how companies and industries can upgrade their workers’ skills standards.
3 It demonstrates how training can be translated into better jobs and career progression –making training count for workers and employers. The WSQ thus offers employers and workers quality assurance in training, in that WDA monitors the quality of training providers and their courses to ensure that training imparts the right knowledge and skills to meet learning needs.
4 The WSQ is underpinned by four principles:
- Authority to give workers assurance that the qualifications are nationally-endorsed, employer-recognised and industry-validated.
- Accessibility to ensure that workers have clear training pathways and can choose learning routes that best suit them. Instead of academic pre-requisites for entry, the WSQ recognises existing skills, relevant working experience and credentials.
- Relevance to workers and businesses, as training is competency-based and meets industry- and job-specific needs.
- Progression for workers as the training enhances workers’ employability and competitiveness. Workers have definite paths to skill up as they progress in their career and achieve excellence in their respective fields.
5 Dr Ng said, “At the National Day Rally Speech this year, the Prime Minister described his vision for Singapore, where there is a mountain range of successes in our society. This is what we hope to contribute with the WSQ system. We are opening up new pathways, new opportunities and multiple chances for workers to scale the mountain range.”
6 WDA’s Chief Executive Ong Ye Kung added, “Through the WSQ, we want to professionalise various occupations in our economy –whether it is in retail, tourism, F&B or manufacturing. With the industries’ help, we will identify the practical skills and training required for these occupations at various levels, and make sure that all workers, regardless of their formal educational qualifications, have access to the training.”
7 To enhance workers’ employability across industries, WDA adopted a sectoral approach in developing the WSQ. Workers can acquire industry skills, which comprise industry-specific know-how, and occupational skills, which are job-specific skills required to perform their jobs.
8 WDA has piloted WSQ systems in the retail sector in February 2005 and the training sector in November 2004. The national certification framework for the finance sector was launched by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) in September 2005. Please refer to the respective brochures for more details on the WSQ systems.
9 The pioneer batch of WSQ graduates was awarded WSQ qualifications:
- 60 trainers were awarded Advanced Certificates in Training and Assessment;
- 16 staff from the retail sector received their Certificates in Retail Operations, and
- Seven graduates were awarded Career Readiness Certificates under the Employability Skills System.
10 Moving ahead, WDA will develop WSQ frameworks in these industries over the next two years:
- Information and communication technology
- Tourism, hotel and accommodation services
- Food and beverage
- Community and social services
- Precision engineering
11 WDA hopes that with WSQ, workers will benefit from structured and competency-based training, recognised qualifications and accredited training providers. This, in turn, will instil a greater sense of pride among our workers and help them progress in their jobs or switch careers.
About the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (www.wda.gov.sg)
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
WDA leads and drives workforce development in Singapore. Its mission is to enhance the employability and competitiveness of employees and jobseekers, thereby building a workforce that meets the changing needs of Singapore’s economy.
The agency works closely with industries to identify skills gaps, and develop continuing education and training (CET) programmes to address the manpower needs of the industries. WDA’s CET programmes place a strong focus on building competencies that are relevant to industries and will enhance employability. It works with training providers in developing curriculum and building up their capabilities and training standards. It promotes its programmes to industries as well as job seekers, and works with the unions and CDCs to help job seekers find jobs, and acquire the right skills for the jobs.
