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Public Service to offer more career opportunities for non-graduates

SINGAPORE — While the Public Service already offers fulfilling careers to non-graduates, it can and will do more in this regard, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

SINGAPORE — While the Public Service already offers fulfilling careers to non-graduates, it can and will do more in this regard, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

In his National Day Rally speech, Mr Lee said the Public Service will put more weight on job performance and relevant skills, instead of academic qualifications. It will also merge more graduate and non-graduate schemes to provide equal opportunities for those on the same career track. Non-graduates will also be promoted more quickly to 
what were once considered graduate-level jobs once they prove that they can do it, he said.

Using the People’s Association as an example, he said its single scheme of service for both graduates and diploma-holders is one of the ways the Public Service Division (PSD) has provided career opportunities to non-graduates. With it, non-graduates have progressed to senior manager positions in the association because of their ability to do the job well, he said.

Mr Lee also referred to the recent pay rise and career enhancements for nurses which would help them upgrade themselves and progress. Many senior nurses, he said, started off without a degree and worked their way up.

The Singapore Armed Forces also recognises leadership and abilities, and not only academic qualifications, providing many paths upwards for non-graduates and military experts, said Mr Lee. Mr Abu Bakar, for instance (see above story), was recently promoted to commander of an infantry brigade.

Civil servant Eileen Ng, who works at a statutory board, said she was ­really heartened to hear that the Government is recognising skills apart from academic qualifications in the public sector. When she was offered a higher position at work, she had her concerns as she felt she was only a diploma-certificate-holder and, back then, it was “very rare for a support staff to progress to a higher career track”.

Her fears were allayed after her boss told her: “We don’t grade you according to your certificate.” She accepted the offer. Two years later, she was promoted again. Said Ms Ng: “This is how a meritocratic society should work — everyone given equal opportunity to fulfil his or her potential based on ability.”

When contacted by TODAY, the PSD was unable to give a response as of press time.

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