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Abstract
Skills-First places skills at the heart of decisions about hiring, work design, talent deployment, learning, and recognition and reward. It recognises demonstrated capability as a primary signal alongside qualifications and experience.
The Skills-First Framework for Action sets out how individuals, employers and ecosystem partners can embed Skills-First practices into everyday work and career decisions. It identifies practical actions for individuals and employers and proposes 12 pilot ideas to test and strengthen these practices across the ecosystem.
The Framework is a community effort, bringing together government agencies, employers, unions, education and training providers, intermediaries and individuals around a common goal: to advance Skills-First practices and further realise human potential and enterprise growth in Singapore.
Download the infographics below to find out why Skills-First mattters and actions you can take.
Authors
Mark Lee
Chairman, Singapore Business Federation
Mr Mark Lee is the Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore’s apex business chamber. He is currently a Nominated Member of Parliament, advocating for SMEs and the broader business sector since 2023. He is also the CEO of Sing Lun Holdings Pte Ltd, a global enterprise spanning industry, investments, and real estate. He works closely with businesses across sectors to strengthen enterprise competitiveness, champion business transformation and address key workforce and manpower challenges facing Singapore companies.
Mr Mark Lee is the Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore’s apex business chamber. He is currently a Nominated Member of Parliament, advocating for SMEs and the broader business sector since 2023. He is also the CEO of Sing Lun Holdings Pte Ltd, a global enterprise spanning industry, investments, and real estate. He works closely with businesses across sectors to strengthen enterprise competitiveness, champion business transformation and address key workforce and manpower challenges facing Singapore companies.
Tan Hwee Bin
Vice President, Singapore National Employers Federation
Ms Tan Hwee Bin is the Vice President of the Singapore National Employers Federation. She is the Executive Director of Wing Tai Holdings Limited, a leading property and lifestyle company listed on the Singapore Exchange. Ms Tan serves as Chairman of NTUC FairPrice Co-operative Limited and NTUC FairPrice Foundation, and on the boards of NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited and Tripartite Alliance Limited. She is also the Co-Chair of Singapore’s Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment. Ms Tan was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2011 and the Public Service Star (BBM) in 2018 by the Singapore Government.
Ms Tan Hwee Bin is the Vice President of the Singapore National Employers Federation. She is the Executive Director of Wing Tai Holdings Limited, a leading property and lifestyle company listed on the Singapore Exchange. Ms Tan serves as Chairman of NTUC FairPrice Co-operative Limited and NTUC FairPrice Foundation, and on the boards of NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited and Tripartite Alliance Limited. She is also the Co-Chair of Singapore’s Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment. Ms Tan was awarded the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2011 and the Public Service Star (BBM) in 2018 by the Singapore Government.
Caryn Lim
Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Job Security, National Trades Union Congress
Ms Caryn Lim is the Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Job Security at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). She oversees NTUC’s Job Security ecosystem, driving efforts to improve workers’ wages and work prospects by helping workers access end-to-end support from skills training and career coaching to job matching while supporting companies in their workforce and business transformation. She works closely with tripartite partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen workforce resilience and employment outcomes for workers.
Ms Caryn Lim is the Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Job Security at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). She oversees NTUC’s Job Security ecosystem, driving efforts to improve workers’ wages and work prospects by helping workers access end-to-end support from skills training and career coaching to job matching while supporting companies in their workforce and business transformation. She works closely with tripartite partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen workforce resilience and employment outcomes for workers.
Tan Tai Yong
President, Singapore University of Social Sciences
Professor Tan Tai Yong is President of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Before he joined SUSS, Professor Tan was President, Yale-NUS College. Prior to this, he held various academic and leadership appointments in the National University of Singapore. Professor Tan was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2014 to 2015. He was awarded the National Day Administration (Silver) Award in 2009 and the Public Service Award in 2020.
Professor Tan Tai Yong is President of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Before he joined SUSS, Professor Tan was President, Yale-NUS College. Prior to this, he held various academic and leadership appointments in the National University of Singapore. Professor Tan was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2014 to 2015. He was awarded the National Day Administration (Silver) Award in 2009 and the Public Service Award in 2020.
Dilys Boey
Chief Executive, Skills and Workforce Development Agency
Ms Dilys Boey is Chief Executive of the Skills and Workforce Development Agency, where she leads the statutory board’s efforts in workforce development and lifelong learning. She previously served as Chief Executive of Workforce Singapore and Deputy Chief Executive (Industry Clusters) at Enterprise Singapore. Prior to joining the Singapore public service, Dilys spent 25 years in management consulting, including as a Partner and ASEAN People Advisory Services Managing Partner where she led the People Consulting practice across Southeast Asia in areas such as capability building and organisation restructuring.
Ms Dilys Boey is Chief Executive of the Skills and Workforce Development Agency, where she leads the statutory board’s efforts in workforce development and lifelong learning. She previously served as Chief Executive of Workforce Singapore and Deputy Chief Executive (Industry Clusters) at Enterprise Singapore. Prior to joining the Singapore public service, Dilys spent 25 years in management consulting, including as a Partner and ASEAN People Advisory Services Managing Partner where she led the People Consulting practice across Southeast Asia in areas such as capability building and organisation restructuring.