By Avelyn Ng
Since Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s announcement of the Government’s commitment to match 3:1 to the NTUC-Education and Training Fund (NETF) at the May Day Rally last year, $25 million has been raised. NETF now totals up to $100 million, half of what the grant targets to achieve.
The figure was announced at the May Day Rally on 1 May 2017, where NTUC President Mary Liew and Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing presented Certificates of Appreciation to 70 NETF donors comprising individuals, corporations and NTUC-affiliated unions and partners at an appreciation lunch.
“When we approach many of our potential donors, unions and so forth, they always have this to say – if it is for the training and education for our workers to help them prepare for tomorrow, then no matter how tough the current economic situation may be, we will always put our money in where we believe in. This is the kind of spirit that we really appreciate because we know how difficult it is,” said SG Chan.
Union members can currently tap on more than 3,200 training courses to enjoy fee subsidy, capped at a maximum of $250 per year, under the Union Training Assistance Programme supported by the NETF.
Believers of Continuing Education and Training
DBS bank is among nine organisations that have donated $1 million dollars and above towards NETF.
Sharing the bank’s training culture, DBS Singapore Country Head Sim Lim said: “We are quite passionate about education, we have our own DBS Academy. For the union members too, in line with SkillsFuture, we actually match the Government’s contribution of $500 to help them.
"Education is important for the country and the Government is doing all the right things in the training of our people. Everyone must take their own initiative to upskill themselves.”
DBS Staff Union General Secretary Raymond Quek expressed that they are very glad that DBS Bank has made such an effort.
"The company and the union are very much in sync in our strong belief that training is essential. The fund will help many workers in the banking sector raise their employability. Those with IT skills are definitely a plus in DBS, which has been at the forefront of innovation,” he said.
The Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU) is among the three unions that have contributed $500,000 to below $1 million.
“Along the structural transformation, upskilling and reskilling are required. We cannot avoid it. What we need real, applicable education and training. Unlike other generic help schemes, NETF is quite specific. It also expands beyond union members to U Associates, to help more working people. I think NETF is worth the investment.
“As a union, we won’t be able to identify what are the business needs and gaps that you need to remedy. Workers themselves don’t know what training they require. Employers must give us directions on what we can help them with,” said SMMWU Secretary-General David Yeo.
Injecting Flexibility and Relevancy
NTUC will be intensifying its efforts to help working professionals acquire new knowledge and skills through continued partnership with all 14 institutes of higher learning in Singapore.
Nanyang Technological University and Singapore University of Social Sciences have introduced over 100 blended courses – modular training modules that can be taken at the learner’s own pace without the necessity to pursue a full degree qualification – since May 2016.
The Labour Movement will continue to collaborate with stakeholders such as business owners, senior executives of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), freelancers and the self-employed to tailor trainings to specific needs.
“NETF helps to make sure that our next generation of workers have the best chance possible to compete in the new world economy. The motto is this: disrupt ourselves or be disrupted. Never be complacent.
“Just as we encourage businesses to evolve, we ourselves must evolve. Our promise is this – regardless of your business model, employment model or station in life, NTUC will find a way to reach you. Regardless of your life stage or your needs, we will evolve our products and services to serve you,” said SG Chan, during the Rally.
As the workforce demographics change, the Labour Movement has broadened its scope of representation beyond its current 60 unions and affiliates to include professionals, managers, executives, SMEs, freelancers, self-employed, migrant workers and domestic employees.
Special Thanks to our Donors
Donation of $1 Million and above
1. Stephen Riady Foundation
2. CapitaLand Limited
3. DBS Bank Ltd
4. MES Group Holdings Pte Ltd
5. PSA Corporation Limited
6. Singapore Airlines Limited
7. Singapore Telecommunications Limited
8. SP Group
9. Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd
Donation of $500,000 to Below $1 Million
10. Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union
11. The Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union
12. Singapore Organisation of Seamen
Donation Below $500,000
13. Lian Lee Lee
14. Tony Tan Choon Keat
15. Tony Phua
16. Yue Lina
17. Capgemini Singapore Pte Ltd
18. Centurion Group of Companies
19. CKL Holdings Pte Ltd
20. SASS Associates Grp Private Limited
21. Gain City Best-Electric Pte Ltd
22. Harley-Davidson Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
23. Hasetrale Holdings Pte Ltd
24. Kian Seng Fresh Produce Pte Ltd
25. Koufu Pte Ltd
26. Lian Beng Construction (1988) Pte Ltd
27. Multihub Enterprise Pte Ltd
28. Neo Group Limited
29. Serial System Ltd
30. Super Coffee Corporation Pte Ltd
31. The Institution of Engineers, Singapore
32. Virgoz Oils & Fats Pte Ltd
33. Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union
34. Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers
35. Amalgamated Union of Public Employees
36. Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees
37. Building Construction And Timber Industries Employees’ Union
38. Chemical Industries Employees’ Union
39. DBS Staff Union
40. Education Services Union
41. Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union
42. Housing and Development Board Staff Union
43. Healthcare Services Employees’ Union
44. Keppel FELS Employees' Union
45. Metal Industries Workers' Union
46. Ngee Ann Polytechnic Academic Staff Union
47. National Transport Workers’ Union
48. Port Officers' Union
49. Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers’ Union
50. Singapore Bank Employees’ Union
51. Singapore Bank Officers’ Association
52. Singapore Chinese Teachers’ Union
53. SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union
54. Singapore Airlines Staff Union
55. Singapore Insurance Employees’ Union
56. Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union
57. Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees’ Union
58. Singapore Port Workers Union
59. Sembawang Shipyard Employees' Union
60. Singapore Shell Employees' Union
61. Singapore Tamil Teachers’ Union
62. Singapore Teachers’ Union
63. Staff Union of NTUC-ARU
64. Union of ITE Training Staff
65. Union of Power and Gas Employees
66. Union of Security Employees
67. Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore
68. United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries
69. United Workers of Petroleum Industry
70. National Taxi Association
