Developing a Robust System for Upskilling and Reskilling the Workforce: Lessons from the SkillsFuture Movement in Singapore

Abstract

The SkillsFuture movement in Singapore is a case study on how a nation evolves towards a paradigm of lifelong learning, in response to the opportunities and challenges brought about by changing job roles and skills, and in particular the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The conventional model of education is being challenged as the gap between the skills of graduates and the needs of industry widens. This creates the impetus for a robust and responsive education and training landscape, to support the need for individuals to learn throughout life. The SkillsFuture movement in Singapore plays a major role in building a skills ecosystem that cultivates an agile workforce that has the skills necessary to contribute to the continued growth of the economy.