Forward SG Report outlines strategies to bridge wage gap and cultivate lifelong learning culture

SINGAPORE:  Structured training and career planning will help narrow the wage gap between skilled tradesmen and knowledge-based workers, with early skill upgrading assistance provided for Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates.

These efforts, detailed in the Forward Singapore report released on Friday (27 Oct), aim to foster a culture of lifelong learning beyond academic achievements and ensure equitable compensation for all jobs in Singapore.

According to the report, the Government will collaborate with the National Trades Union Congress, industry associations, and institutes of higher learning to implement these initiatives.

Various workers, including plumbers, electricians, and those in the healthcare and aged-care sectors, are expected to benefit from the proposed wage increase.

While the report didn’t specify the exact wage discrepancies for healthcare and aged-care workers, recent data from the Ministry of Manpower, published in July, revealed that nursing aides, healthcare assistants, plumbers, and electricians earn a median gross salary of less than S$3,000 per month. This is lower than the overall median gross monthly salary for full-time employed residents, which was S$4,500 as of June 2022.

The report emphasized the need to rectify these discrepancies, stating, “We must do more to tilt the scales and narrow the wage gaps across professions.”

Regarding skilled workers, the report emphasized, “It takes time to hone these skills, and those who develop a deep mastery should be able to earn a good living… If society is more supportive of individuals pursuing these careers, we can create a virtuous cycle, where society in turn benefits from better and more reliable services.”

The support for ITE graduates comes at a critical juncture, given the widening disparity in initial salaries between these graduates and their counterparts from polytechnics and autonomous universities.

“We are particularly alarmed by the escalating disparities,” the report highlighted.

Lifelong skill enhancement

These income gaps can gradually diminish if ITE graduates continually enhance and update their skills, for instance, by pursuing a diploma or further qualifications during their professional journey. The report stressed that early skill enhancement leads to better career opportunities and higher wages.

“We will study how we can help younger ITE upgraders defray the costs of obtaining a diploma. When they graduate, we can also top up their Central Provident Fund to give them a head start to purchase a home or save for their retirement,” the report outlined.

Apart from ITE graduates, Singaporeans holding a publicly funded diploma or higher qualification will receive support for obtaining an additional publicly funded diploma.

In the broader workforce, substantial investments will be allocated to support mature mid-career Singaporeans in undertaking significant reskilling and upskilling initiatives.

According to the report, workers will receive a “significant additional boost” in the SkillsFuture Credit.

In 2020, each Singaporean aged 25 and above received a one-time top-up of S$500, with an extra S$500 specifically allocated to Singaporeans aged 40 to 60, aimed at enhancing access to career transition programs.

Furthermore, mature mid-career Singaporeans will receive strengthened financial assistance in the form of training allowances when taking a sabbatical for full-time training over an extended period.

Minister Tan See Leng urges a holistic view of career success beyond white-collar roles

During a press conference held on Friday, Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng underscored the need for a broader understanding of career success, reflecting the sentiments expressed by participants in the engagement sessions.

“So we came to this conclusion that the idea of a good job should not just be limited to white-collar jobs,” he stated.

Minister Tan reiterated the government’s commitment to enabling individuals to carve out their career paths and emphasized investments in providing Singaporeans with international exposure.

Key priorities also include addressing wage disparities, extending financial aid to those involuntarily unemployed, and ensuring a financially stable retirement for Singaporeans.

He stressed that achieving a significant transformation towards more equitable, inclusive, and collaborative workplaces necessitates tripartism, the collaborative approach involving the Government, employers, and the labor movement.

Minister Tan also addressed the concerns about job security and retirement adequacy, especially for those sandwiched between caring for elderly parents and supporting their children. In response to these concerns, the government is committed to supporting Singaporeans in various ways.

This includes empowering individuals to manage their career health through access to better data and information, investing in their development, facilitating exposure to global opportunities, reducing wage gaps, and providing support schemes for those facing setbacks and involuntary unemployment.

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing advocates diverse learning pathways

In the same press conference, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing highlighted the importance of maintaining a diverse range of pathways for individuals to unlock their potential at various stages of life.

“We will have to embrace technology that allows our people to adapt their learning styles and learning speed according to their needs,” he remarked, underscoring the significance of accessible and budget-friendly modules, as well as personalized guidance for adult learners in terms of skills enhancement and career development.

On the educational front, Minister Chan Chun Sing outlined several shifts, including the need to inspire curiosity for lifelong learning, providing diverse pathways for individuals to realize their potential at different stages of life, and implementing mass customization of learning through technology.

He highlighted the importance of investing in lifelong education, reskilling for adult learners, accessible and affordable modules, and personalized skills and career guidance.

He emphasized the need for educators to embrace new technologies to constantly refresh their skills and for industries to reward skills currency over mere credentials. He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in the pursuit of education and societal advancement.