Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim advocates for a national on-the-job training program, emphasizing apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships to equip Singaporeans with essential skills for the age of AI and address rising youth unemployment.
Singapore is facing a critical need to adapt its workforce to the rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a recent parliamentary speech, Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim (Sengkang) highlighted the importance of establishing a national, on-the-job training (OJT) program to equip Singaporeans with the necessary skills for the future.
He emphasized that traditional methods of skills acquisition, such as classroom learning, are insufficient in preparing workers for the demands of the modern workplace, advocating for more practical, hands-on training experiences. Lim argued that apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships are crucial in bridging the skills gap and ensuring workers are ready to thrive in an AI-driven economy. He criticized the limitations of current programs, like the SkillsFuture Assessment-Only Pathway's emphasis on certification over demonstrated skills and the restricted scope of Career Conversion Plans and Career Trial programs. He also acknowledged the Graduate Industry Traineeship (GRIT) program's potential, but noted the inadequacy of available positions.\Lim, an Assistant Professor of Economics, proposed a comprehensive national framework for OJT programs. This framework would outline clear training pathways, offer certifications based on work experience, and support a broader range of fields beyond academic professions. His proposal includes the use of SkillsFuture credits, including the mid-career credit, to subsidize OJT programs and alleviate companies' training costs. He also suggested that trainees in these programs should be afforded the same legal protections and rights as regular employees, including access to leaves. These OJT programs should typically last between six and twelve months, and offer pathways to permanent employment. Lim underscored the urgency of such a program, citing rising youth unemployment rates and the potential displacement of entry-level positions by AI. He stressed the importance of creating a pipeline to train young people on the job, equipping them with the practical skills employers are seeking. This included the suggestion that non-academic areas like the culinary arts, music, and sports and artisanal practices like horology and furniture-making, and professions relying on experience over book smarts should be offered.\In related news, Singapore driving test pass rates have declined again. Nearly 100,000 individuals took the tests last year. This trend reflects evolving preferences, stricter assessment criteria, and a surge in demand for driving lessons. Another story involves an Australian woman who was sentenced to five months and six weeks jail time after spray-painting offensive words on the walls and vans of The Salvation Army at Upper Bukit Timah Rd. Additionally, diners have expressed disgust over the unhygienic practices of a food stall owner, who was observed processing raw duck on the floor of a cooked food center. In the HDB resale market, a resale executive flat in Ang Mo Kio recently set a new benchmark, changing hands for S$1,350,000. Finally, another article explores the impact of narcissistic bosses and how toxic leadership can cause burnout and career disruption. The article validates the emotional distress caused by these experiences
On-The-Job Training Artificial Intelligence Skillsfuture Jamus Lim Singapore Workforce
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