Forum: Skills push should include real work exposure

I refer to the article “A skills-first Singapore needs a rethink of assessments, not just more certificates” (March 26) by Associate Professor May Lim Sok Mui, where she called for strengthening assessments in Singapore’s continuing education and training system.

A subsequent reply from SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore highlighted the importance of trusted skills signals.

Improving assessment credibility is important. But focusing mainly on certification risks overlooking a deeper labour market challenge: Employers still ask whether candidates have prior experience performing the role.

Over the past decade, many Singaporeans have upgraded their skills and earned certificates under SkillsFuture. Yet even well-designed credentials often cannot substitute for demonstrated performance in real workplace environments.

If the system continues to expand courses, micro-credentials and validated certificates without bridging learning and work, Singapore risks a new form of credential inflation – stacked certifications replacing traditional degrees.

The next phase of the skills movement should focus on connecting learning with real work opportunities. Industry projects, workplace attachments, apprenticeships or employer-validated tasks allow individuals to demonstrate capability where value is actually created. Employers can observe performance directly, reducing hiring risk and strengthening trust in skills signals.

Singapore has built a strong lifelong learning ecosystem. The next challenge is ensuring that acquired skills are not only assessed, but also recognised and utilised in the workplace.

Ives Tay