SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has launched a new SkillsFuture Series of training programmes in eight priority and emerging skills areas to help equip working adults with the skills required across different sectors. This was announced by Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence, at the launch of the Lifelong Learning Festival 2017.
SkillsFuture is a statutory body under the Ministry of Education which aims to facilitate continuous education and training, upgrading skills to keep up with the fast pace of technological advancements and increasing competition.
The SkillsFuture Series comprises more than 400 courses offered for immediate enrolment, anchored primarily by the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). With their deep knowledge base and reputation for high-quality training, the IHLs will take the lead in driving and expanding the range of training programmes in the SkillsFuture Series, complemented by courses offered by high-quality private training providers such as 3dsense and Singapore Media Academy.
There are plans to continually expand the course list by up to three-fold, in consultation with employers, industry partners and the Labour Movement.
As a start, the SkillsFuture Series will train 10,000 Singaporeans and will be ramped up over the next three years to benefit 50,000 Singaporeans annually in 2020.
Within each of the following eight areas, there will be a curated list of short and modular industry-relevant courses averaging 25 training hours.
To enable individuals to identify relevant courses based on their skills level and career needs, courses under the SkillsFuture Series are tiered across three proficiency levels – basic, intermediate and advanced.
SSG will provide up to 70% course fee subsidy for Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents to ensure that the courses in the SkillsFuture Series are affordable.
With the subsidy, most of the basic level training programmes (80% of them) will cost less than $500. Singaporeans who qualify for enhanced subsidies, such as the Enhanced Training Support for SMEs or the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy, will also continue to enjoy further subsidies of up to 90% of the course fees. At the 90% enhanced subsidy rate, about 85% of basic level courses will cost less than $200. Additionally, SkillsFuture Credit can be used to offset the balance of the course fees. SSG expects to spend more than S$70 million over the first three years on the SkillsFuture Series.
The eight priority and emerging skills areas of the SkillsFuture Series draw reference from the Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) and feedback from industry partners. (ITMs are being developed for 23 industries to address issues within each industry and deepen partnerships between Government, firms, industries, trade associations and chambers. The ITMs are grouped into 6 broad cluster: Manufacturing, Built environment, Trade & connectivity, Essential Domestic Services, Modern services and Lifestyle.)
1. Data analytics- Led by National University of Singapore (NUS)
Domain areas: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) (Applications and Platforms), Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Data Mining, Data Visualisation and Coding)
Data analytics involves collecting, cleansing, transforming and modelling data, in order to discover useful information. Data and business analytics provide valuable insights to aid in decision-making.
2. Finance- Led by Singapore Management University (SMU)
Domain areas: Blockchain, FinTech, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Risk Management and Compliance
Finance covers the application of technologies in the design, delivery and governance of financial services. It includes the digitalisation of financial services and adoption of Fintech.
3. Tech-enabled services- Led by Republic Polytechnic and the Singapore University of Social Sciences
Domain areas: Electronic Technologies (e.g. web, epayment solutions), Geospatial Technology, Supply Chain Management, Security Systems, Digital Marketing.
Tech-Enabled Services focuses on the use of technology-based applications to transform services-related industries such as supply chain, retail, healthcare, professional and security services.
4. Digital media- Led by Nanyang Polytechnic (NP)
Domain areas: Immersive Media (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality), Social Media, Interactive Media and Games Development
Digital Media covers the creation, broadcast, production, and use of digitised content, as well as digital communications.
5. Cybersecurity- Led by Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
Domain areas: Encryption Technologies, Cyber Intelligence and Cyber Risk Management, Cyber Incident Investigation, Cyber Compliance
Cybersecurity refers to measures and techniques to protect the integrity of data, computing devices and other systems from damage or theft and preventing disruption to the functionality of the systems. It includes encryption techniques, cyber-intelligence and the development of security control mechanisms to significantly reduce risks and vulnerabilities.
6. Entrepreneurship- Led by Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Domain areas: Start-Up, Technopreneurship, Financing, Platform Models, Business Models, Going Global, Product/Market Development, Sustainable Growth Entrepreneurship is the art of transforming an idea into a venture of value creation for market, through innovation and risk-taking. It covers financing options, goto-market
strategies, going global, and various aspects of business strategies and operations for sustainable growth.
7. Advanced manufacturing- Led by Singapore Polytechnic and Nanyang Technological University
Domain areas: Industrial Internet Of Things (IIOT), Additive Manufacturing, Robotics and Automation
Advanced Manufacturing involves the use of innovative and advanced technologies to improve products and processes by enhancing the cyberphysical integration of manufacturing. It involves digitalisation and automation through the use of devices, sensors and robotics for work processes. It also facilitates connectivity through the integration of information, computing and networking to improve manufacturing productivity, customisation, flexibility, predictability and performance.
8. Urban solutions- Led by Singapore Institute of Technology and Institute of Technical Education
Domain areas: Systems engineering, Sustainability Solutions, Autonomous Transport Solutions.
Urban Solutions describes solutions that are aimed at improving the quality of living through designing and building environmentally sustainable and liveable cities. These solutions include the development, implementation and maintenance of intelligent transport systems, smart cities and autonomous vehicles.