Singapore will establish a new agency this year to strengthen our workforce and skills ecosystem. PAP MPs have urged the newly formed Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) to provide targeted support for workers from diverse segments.
More than 20 MPs spoke in Parliament on May 5 about the Bill that merges SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) into a single agency.
They asked how SWDA will serve the diverse needs of workers such as caregivers, seniors, mid-career workers, persons with disabilities, ex-offenders and those who have experienced health setbacks.
Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas) proposed that the agency introduce targeted support for flexible work arrangements, such as a “Flexi-Work” grant, to encourage modified roles, reduced hours, or phased return-to-work options.
“We must move from ad hoc support to a structured return-to-work system, so that workers are not left behind due to unforeseen life circumstances,” he stressed.
In response, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said the government will partner community organisations to reach more vulnerable segments.
The government is also studying ways to provide stronger support for flexible work models such as fractional work, as Mr Yong suggested, that may better cater to their needs, he added.
Wan Rizal calls for SWDA to close job gap for fresh graduates
MPs also highlighted challenges facing younger workers and students entering the workforce.
Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) identified a “first-job gap” where graduates struggle to translate their qualifications into employment. He called for clearer pathways from education to jobs.
Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC) noted that students often choose courses and career paths without understanding labour market realities.
Mr Tay, Desmond Choo (Tampines Changkat), and Ms Jessica Tan (East Coast) raised concerns about how SWDA will support entry-level hiring during business restructuring and AI-driven changes, particularly in helping fresh graduates secure their first jobs.
Dr Tan agreed that Singapore must intervene before students graduate. He said SWDA will collaborate with higher education institutions and the education ministry to provide industry exposure earlier in students’ academic journey. This approach will give “our students a clearer picture of the labour market well before they graduate”.
“This means more systematic pathways into industry, attachments and clearer signals on skills and roles in demand,” he noted.
SWDA will support mid-careerists by empowering them to take charge of and strengthen their career health amid a fast-evolving world, said Dr Tan.
“We will make good quality career guidance services more accessible to the broad middle of workers and equip them with data-driven insights on jobs and skills so that they can undertake the right training that connects them to the opportunities that they are seeking,” he added.
“We will look at tying course funding more closely to demand signals so that the training translates into better career prospects.”
Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) and Ms Tan asked how SWDA would take a more proactive and anticipatory role to prepare workers and businesses for future disruptions.
Dr Tan responded that data would serve as the “critical enabler.” SWDA plans to tap various data sources to distil fresh jobs and provide insights on skills.
He added that these insights will enable personalised services that deliver more targeted and proactive support.
Dr Tan See Leng: New agency will track outcomes, including wage growth
MPs Mr Tay and Dr Hamid raised concerns about how the agency will measure its effectiveness to ensure that reskilling improves jobs, wages, and career progression.
Mr Tay proposed that SWDA develop a robust, centralised tracking system to monitor long-term outcomes of its courses, programmes, and credit schemes, as well as workers’ career health, ensuring returns match costs.
Dr Hamid said: “Every Singaporean who invests time and effort into upgrading should see a meaningful return in real employment opportunities.”
Dr Tan said the new agency will track outcomes, including time taken for workers to secure jobs and their wage growth, beyond just training and placement numbers.
“While not so easily measured, we also want to engender a culture of lifelong learning.”
