Accrediting apprenticeships in specific professions

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Raj Joshua Thomas, Nominated Member of Parliament

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether SkillsFuture Singapore will consider accrediting apprenticeships in specific professions, to recognise skills obtained through practical experience under a skilled practitioner.

Response

1. The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) framework is a national skills credentialing system that supports the training, development, assessment and certification of skills for the workforce. The WSQ framework adopts the skills covered in the Skills Frameworks, which are validated by employers, unions, Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs), and Professional Bodies.

2. The WSQ framework includes an Assessment-Only Pathway (AOP) to certify an individual’s prior knowledge and skills without the need to undergo additional classroom training. The AOP is available across more than 500 courses, covering different sectors from oil and gas to building and construction. The WSQ AOP can support employees by certifying the skills they have acquired through on-the-job training, including apprenticeships.

3. Beyond WSQ, SSG will be partnering sectoral lead agencies and Professional Bodies as “Skills Development Partners”, which will help to identify in-demand and emerging skills needs, and put in place structures to accredit skills acquired by individuals at the workplace.