Date Published: 04 Dec 2008
The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) is launched today at the inaugural Adult Learning Symposium, by Acting Minister for Manpower Mr Gan Kim Yong. The symposium is IAL’s first major event. It will showcase IAL’s drive to create a positive impact on the training community.
2 Having a pool of professional and competent adult educators is integral to an effective Continuing Education and Training (CET) system. To build a world class community of adult educators in Singapore, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency has formed the Institute for Adult Learning in collaboration with the Institute of Technical Education and the Polytechnics.
3 True to its mission of championing excellence in CET, IAL will develop and implement a framework of trainer standards, qualifications and upgrading pathways designed to lift the professionalism of the CET sector. It will also conduct training and development programmes for adult educators and support the community through research and curriculum development. It will also forge valuable international partnerships, in addition to hosting overseas courses and visiting speaker seminars. Currently, IAL already offers the Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA). It is in the process of developing a Diploma in Continuing Education and Training for release in 2009.
4 “The establishment of IAL is one of the strategies identified in the CET Masterplan announced by the Government in February 2008. The CET Masterplan aims to ramp up adult training places from the current 110,000 to 220,000 places by next year. Numbers aside, it is equally important that the training be of a high quality. This is where the IAL comes in.” said Dr Gary Willmott, Executive Director of IAL.
5 The inaugural Adult Learning Symposium is held from 4 to 5 December, presenting both local and overseas adult educators with a great opportunity to learn and share experiences as well as best international practices in CET, across a range of industry sectors. Distinguished speakers include Professor Andrew Brown, from the Institute of Education, University of London, Professor Knud Illeris from the Danish University of Education, Professor Stephen Billett from Griffith University and Mr Ong Teong Wan, past President of STADA and current consulting partner from SIM. Over 300 delegates have convened at the symposium today, aptly themed “Understanding Adult Learning: Insights for Practice. The IAL Adult Learning Symposium is slated to be a major annual event in the CET calendar in Singapore.
6 The IAL will also serve as a CET centre under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR), an enhanced financial support scheme developed by WDA in response to help Singaporeans cope with manpower challenges during slower economic growth. Members of the public who are interested to know more about the services provided by IAL can visit www.ial.edu.sg for or call 6579-0300 for more information.
