In a significant move to enhance the calibre of adult education in Singapore, the Minister for Education, Desmond Lee, announced the Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway (TAEPP) at the SkillsFuture Festival Opening Forum. This new initiative aims to ensure that adult educators continually upgrade their skills, maintaining high standards in SkillsFuture-supported courses.
TAEPP Implementation Timeline
Starting from April 1, 2026, adult educators will need to be registered on a new national registry to deliver SkillsFuture-supported training. The registration process is set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025. To remain registered, educators must complete:
- At least 40 Continuing Professional Development hours
- 80 practice hours every two years
Continual Development and New Registrations
The TAEPP, developed by the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) with guidance from SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), aims to gradually shift the landscape of adult education. It will encourage existing trainers to engage in continuous professional development rather than relying on one-off certifications.
Dr. Samson Tan from the IAL highlighted the importance of keeping educators current with industry practices. The program also seeks to incorporate expert practitioners from various sectors, particularly in healthcare and legal fields, further enriching the quality of training.
Benefits for Employers and Employees
Employers are also expected to benefit from the TAEPP framework. Companies participating in SkillsFuture initiatives have reported:
- Enhanced productivity
- Improved employee satisfaction
- Higher talent retention
- Increased revenue
Lee reassured employers that investing in employee skill development is crucial for the country’s long-term success, stating that a robust workforce would ultimately benefit all.
Support Structures for Adult Educators
The government is also ramping up support for educators through the Lifelong Learning Singapore (LLSG), formerly the Lifelong Learning Institute. The new advisory centre in Paya Lebar will provide:
- Career guidance
- Access to up-to-date jobs and skills insights
- Opportunities for industry exposure
Many educators, like Clare Poon, are welcoming the TAEPP, seeing it as a means to bolster their credibility and expand their professional development avenues.
Collaborations for Enhanced Learning
During the forum, UOB was designated as the newest SkillsFuture Queen Bee, reflecting their commitment to driving growth for SMEs through targeted training initiatives. Paul Kan, UOB’s country head of Business Banking, affirmed the significance of public-private partnerships in advancing Singapore’s skills ecosystem.
With the SkillsFuture movement gaining momentum, the government aims to transform the training landscape into one that prioritises continuous development and strengthens Singapore’s competitive edge on the global stage.