Our employees can not be an afterthought in company change: PM Wong, Singapore News

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency(SWDA)has actually introduced 200 courses on expert system (AI), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on Wednesday (Sept 16).

He was speaking at the SkillsFuture Summit for Businesses 2026 held at the Lifelong Learning Institute, which is likewise the very first SkillsFuture Festival under SWDA.

This year’s SkillsFuture Festival happens from Sept 16 to Oct 28 and will include 140 occasions and about 450 task chances island-wide.

The SWDA which was formed through a merger of SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore formally started operations in July.

Under SWDA’s SkillsFuture AI Subscription effort, Singaporeans will have access to 200 courses on expert system (AI) and a complimentary six-month membership to AI tools.

Through this, SWDA wishes to reinforce AI-readiness in Singapore’s labor force.

“The world of work is changing,” PM Wong stated. “With technology advancing rapidly businesses must now transform more quickly.

“Abilities are ending up being outdated much faster, professions will include more pivots and shifts, and organizations should change quicker as innovation improves work.”

To help deliver better outcomes for workers and businesses, the SWDA must make three shifts, he said.

The first shift requires SWDA to connect Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) to training providers and employers so that IHLs can provide strong foundations and skills for employees to remain relevant.

PM Wong stated: “SWDA needs to constantly examine and revitalize the course offerings, and work carefully with training suppliers and market to keep training pertinent and approximately date.”

Next, businesses and workers must also transform together — often, it is the workforce that is left behind as business decisions are made.

“Our employees can not be an afterthought in organization improvement,” PM Wong said.

“When a business changes, its employees ought to have the opportunity to change with it.”

Through SWDA, the Government can help employees and businesses work closer together, allowing transformations to occur for both simultaneously.

PM Wong also explained that for the third shift SWDA must ensure support systems for businesses and employees are easier to navigate.

While there may be many schemes, programmes and providers in place, people may not know which agency to approach to find aid.

“We do require to enhance and be more customer-centric … and this is what SWDA will attempt to do, to offer an easier and more meaningful journey customized to the requirements of both employees along with organizations,” PM Wong said.

@asiaone Called Connect by SWDA, it is more than a place for people to sign up for courses, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who officiated the centre’s opening on Wednesday (Sept 16). #sgnews #Singapore #Jobs #Education #Employment #Workers ♬ original sound – AsiaOne

Entrepreneurship Connect by SWDA

To achieve the three shifts, the SWDA has launched Connect, a one-stop careers and skills service touchpoint for individuals and employers.

Connect aims to help individuals find careers catered to their skills, career practitioners seeking professional development and employers who want advice on workforce development and transformation.

Aside from Connect, SWDA also announced two other key initiatives, including the rolling-out of the SkillsFuture AI Subscription initiative.

The agency has also launched OurWorkforce, a one-stop portal for employers.

This portal replaces the current SkillsFuture for Business website and provides employers with training and workforce development initiatives to help them find relevant courses, solutions and advice when needed, including on AI.

“Our job is to ensure that Singaporeans are not overwhelmed by the modifications– however are geared up and prepared take the chances,” PM Wong said.

He added, addressing Singaporeans: “If you are prepared to find out, adjust and make the effort, we will assist you develop the abilities you require and discover a path forward.

“You may have to change jobs, you may have to learn new skills… but you will never have to face these challenges alone.”

The occasion was likewise gone to by Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau and Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary.

Performing Minister Lau included: “Our hope is that all Singaporeans become a lot more confident in using AI and get more comfortable as work changes… regardless of where your starting point is, we want to help you to learn, to practice, and to become more confident.”

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