NSmen may get to choose vocation

SINGAPORE — The Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) is looking into giving national servicemen a chance to pick their vocation.

It is also looking at ways to make the transition into and after NS smoother by working with polytechnics, junior colleges and universities.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said this today (Oct 22), days after leading a delegate comprising CSNS members in a visit to Finland and Switzerland to study their conscription systems.

Dr Ng said both countries are similar to Singapore in terms of population size and the number of men who enlist into NS each year.

The two countries also give servicemen a choice in their vocations to optimise their contributions, and this is something that could be explored in Singapore.

Servicemen may be given some freedom to choose specific units, based on their skills and interests, an expansion of the current three broad choices they are given after their Basic Military Training.

Dr Ng also noted the strong support for national service from employers in Finland and Switzerland, even without incentives.

He said that is because they see the value in the qualities and skills servicemen pick up from their stints.

So apart from better engaging employers in Singapore, there is also the option of certifying skills and values such as leadership. Dr Ng said this could be in the form of a collaboration with the Workforce Development Agency.

Dr Ng also said that women have a role to play in the Singapore Armed Forces, even though the country will not move towards full-time NS for women.

Nonetheless, he said the current volunteer scheme — which allows women, new citizens and first-generation permanent residents to contribute — could be expanded.

Women in the military do not undergo Basic Military Training, and contribute in more skills-related roles such as nurses and radiographers.

The CSNS recommendations are in line with the results of a survey on national service conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies recently. CHANNEL NEWSASIA