THE CHALENGES OF LIFELONG LEARNING FOR EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY OF OLDER WORKERS IN SINGAPORE by Thomas Kuan President of Singapore Association for Continuing Education

1) The development context – human resource issues; 2) The challenges to learning for older adult workers; and 3) The role of NGOs in lifelong learning for older workers Objectives of Paper

Skills Upgrading & Competencies Employment for Older Workers Learning ChallengeNGOs Roles LIFELONG LEARNING for OLDER WORKERS Experience, Skills, Education & Training Learning PlansSelf-Directed, Motivation & Resourcefulness Formal & Informal Learning and Networking H.R. Issues 1.Young Workers 2.Older Workers 3.Retaining & Training 4.Learning Courses 5.Resourcefulness 6. Learning Profiles 7.Financial Literacy 8.Promoting LLL 9.Evaluation Skills 10.Advisory & Co- ordinating

1. Human Resource Issues The younger workers. The older workers. Training and retaining of workers.

HR challenges of next 12 months …

Challenges to Learning Learning Courses available. Resourcefulness to Learn Financial Literacy.

Learning Courses Redesigning many of the jobs to make the working environment pleasant and raise the level of professionalism. The WDA is working with various training institutions to conduct training in new skills in new jobs.

Resourcefulness to Learn Self directed. Informal learning. Learning Plans. Job options.

Financial Literacy of Older Workers Dilemma of older workers Retirement planning Need for more financial planning.

Present Jobs Status after the Asian economic crisis … 1.By mid-2005, million people are employed (double jobs created last year). (Median salary is US$1,600 pm for associate professionals and technicians, and US$3,300 pm for managers.) For lower skilled workers, demand is in aerospace, precision engineering, electronics and pharmaceuticals industries. 3.In the services sectors, workers in hotel, restaurants, retail outlets, hospitals social and security services

ROLE OF NGOs Complement national efforts. Documenting informal learning. Evaluation skills with adults learning principles and practices

In Conclusions: Older workers are intellectual capital of employers. Government is considering law to change employment of older workers. NGOs can act as advisory role.

The journey (of lifelong learning) of a thousand miles begins with a simple step.

“Learning, taken with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competence, would enhance employability of the learners.”

Thank you.