But schools alone can’t fully help students attain their evolving aspirations or redefine success, the report acknowledged. As such, the government will develop more partnerships between schools, such as for CCAs, to provide students with more opportunities.
Community partners and industry players are also encouraged to work with the Education Ministry and other academic institutions on education modules for students and adult learners.
UPSKILLING EARLY
Recognition for diverse career choices entails rewarding all jobs more fairly. Existing initiatives like Workfare, the Progressive Wage Model and the local qualifying salary have helped reduce wage gaps, but the report noted that more can be done to recognise “hands” and “heart” jobs.
These encompass professional tradespeople like electricians and plumbers, and many in the healthcare and aged care sectors. They are often not as “well regarded” as those in “head” work – the knowledge-related, white-collar roles, the report said.
New initiatives will be developed to support those who want to pursue such “hands” and “heart” careers.
Finally, the government will also study how to help younger ITE upgraders defray the costs of obtaining a diploma to encourage them to upskill and upgrade early, and give “greater recognition” to those who do.
“When they graduate, we can also top up their Central Provident Fund (CPF) to give them a head start to purchase a home or save for their retirement,” the report proposed.
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who chaired the Forward SG exercise, in January highlighted concerns around the starting salaries and career progression for polytechnic and ITE graduates in comparison with their peers from university. The median starting salary for university graduates was about twice that of ITE graduates and one-and-a-half times that of polytechnic graduates.
“These salary gaps can be narrowed over time if ITE graduates upgrade and refresh their skills. Many already do so by getting a diploma or more in their working years. This enables them to secure better career prospects with higher salaries,” the Forward SG findings suggested.