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Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the two Bills, which seek to strengthen the regulatory powers of the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency (SSG), to deter the abuse and misrepresentation of SSG funding and schemes. However, I have a few questions and some suggestions.
Importance of having trusted lifelong learning providers
In a recent speech at the Singapore Perspectives 2023 conference, the Minister for Education highlighted how we needed to better support Singaporeans in their lifelong learning ambitions. I cannot agree more. Lifelong learning ensures that our workforce stays productive, adapts to global and industrial changes, and becomes more resilient in employment and employability.
Singapore’s movement towards lifelong learning must be underpinned by assurance that our training institutions are credible. I therefore support the proposals in the Bills to strengthen SSG funding and schemes, which will serve to enhance the credibility of adult learning programmes as a whole.
Ensure adequate training for new enforcement powers
However, given the enhanced powers of SSG officers to enter premises, search for and seize documents, and to conduct interviews, I would like to ask if the proposed new powers are to be given to all SSG officers. What type of training would be provided to those officers who are assigned these powers, and what sort of safeguards will be put in place to ensure that these new powers will be used appropriately and not be abused?
When entering a premise against the will of the premise owners, the officers may face hostile resistance. Officers should be adequately trained to exercise their new powers and the requisite rules of engagement.
Lifelong learning should support Singaporeans’ aspirations
Mr Speaker, beyond strengthening our regulatory framework to deter fraud, we also need to ensure that SSG funded courses adequately support Singaporeans’ changing aspirations. I would like to provide two suggestions:
a. Regularly review and remove courses and training providers that have poor take-up rates and poor reviews
b. On-board courses that support Singaporeans who work remotely
First, we need to regularly review and remove courses that have poor enrolment figures to free up funding for courses that Singaporeans actually need and want. We should also regularly review training providers for the conduct of their SSG funded courses and the effectiveness of the courses. I would like to ask how often are SSG funded courses subject to review. What is the average number of courses that had their funding status removed due to poor sign-ups? Does SSG require and take into consideration participants’ post-course feedback? Only by holding courses and training providers to a high bar, can we attract more Singaporeans to use their SkillsFuture Credits for training.
Sir, we also need to change the way we fund courses to better support Singaporeans who work remotely. The Work-From-Anywhere trend has meant that more Singaporeans are working remotely, even if the work is done for a local company. We should move away from funding classes that are held in-person, and explore extending more funding to online courses. Let us support all Singaporeans, regardless of where they are based, in their lifelong learning journey.
Conclusion
Sir, the proposed amendments will help in deterring abuse and misrepresentation of SSG funding and schemes. As we work to improve the governance of our lifelong learning funding, we should also ensure that we support the changing aspirations of Singaporeans, as we continue to encourage every Singaporean to be a lifelong learner.
With that, I support the two Bills.
