From one O-level pass to SkillsFuture Lifelong Learning Award: Peter Wang, 51, was inspired by his children

SINGAPORE – Former driving instructor Peter Wang, 51, said it was not easy for him to return to the classroom after 30 years.

He was a “playful” student who was not academically inclined, he said.

When he was in his teens, he was not promoted but instead “conditionally advanced” to Secondary 3, and eventually left school with only a single O-level pass in Chinese mother tongue.

He resumed his education journey at ITE under the NITEC route in 2021, and in October 2023, he enrolled at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to study part-time for a Diploma in Engineering (Building Services & Fire Safety).

On May 4, Mr Wang – who was from the Continuing Education and Training track for working professionals and adult learners – was honoured as one of 15 polytechnic graduates to receive the inaugural SkillsFuture Lifelong Learning Award.

Jointly launched by SkillsFuture Singapore, the five polytechnics and ITE, the award celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of upskilling and drive a positive impact in their workplaces.

“I am very surprised I got this award; I never expected that I would do so well,” said Mr Wang, who is among more than 25,000 polytechnic students graduating across Singapore in May.

On his first day as a student at NP, he almost gave up when he realised he had forgotten how to use a scientific calculator. 

Determination drove him to ask his four school-going children, aged 14 to 20, for help to complete an assignment due that night. 

“I got to ask my kids and bond with them. It inspired me to continue,” he said. 

Before his return to school, Mr Wang spent 12 years as a driving instructor and 16 years as a property management executive. 

He did not imagine he would be a student again until a job interview for a condominium manager role changed his perspective. His interviewer then had asked Mr Wang why he did not have higher academic qualifications.

“At first, I thought, ‘Does it really matter?’” he said. However, he soon realised times have changed.

“In my time, many could get by with just O levels, but not any more. I knew I had to do something.”

Going back to school required Mr Wang to juggle work, school and taking care of his family, including his elderly father.

Evening classes were held from 6pm to 10pm three times a week. When work ran late, he would log in to lectures via his phone from the office or on the bus, he said. 

If he did not have the support of his wife, who works as a manager in an oil trading firm, and an understanding employer, he would not have been able to get his diploma, Mr Wang said.

While he spent weeknights at lectures and weekends on projects, Mr Wang’s wife managed the household. 

“She would cook and take care of everything so that I could focus on my studies,” he said. 

Midway through the diploma course, Mr Wang secured a job as a property executive at developer GuocoLand, thanks to technical knowledge he had learnt from his studies.

He also excelled academically, earning an A in the Fire Science module and a distinction in Fire Engineering – grades he once thought were far out of his reach. He graduated from NP with a 3.77 grade point average.

In August, Mr Wang will head to the Singapore University of Social Sciences to study part-time for a degree in facility management.

“If I could speak to my younger self now, I would tell him that he should test his own limits,” he said.

“Don’t stop learning and trying; just do your best.”