WDA forms 15-member council to promote, encourage life-long learning here

SINGAPORE — A 15-member community-led council to help encourage Singaporeans embrace learning as a “lifelong journey” and continue to be “passionate” about learning has been set up by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

The Lifelong Learning Council comprises individuals from various industries, unions and government bodies appointed by Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin. Each council member will serve a two-year term, beginning today (Oct 16).

The council’s formation was unveiled at Jurong Point Shopping Mall by Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, Dr Amy Khor, at the last of three Learning Café roadshows, a series of interactive pop-up learning cafés that allow people to check out and pick up new skills over a free cup of coffee. 

Mr Tan Kay Yong, former vice-president at GlaxoSmithKline, will head the council, which will work closely with the WDA to change views held by Singaporeans on lifelong learning through various efforts. Some of its efforts include supporting and providing counseling, guidance and recommendations, and proposing and developing initiatives to build a “culture of lifelong learning”.

On why the WDA wanted the council should be community-led, Dr Khor said: “They represent a broad segment of our society… so they will come out with programmes… to address the needs and challenges of the different segments they represent.”

The Lifelong Learning Council is currently conducting studies and research to find out how it can engage the people in its efforts. Plans based on the findings are expected to be rolled-out in the second half of 2015.

Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, who sits on the council, felt some have yet to embrace lifelong learning because they do not realise that they would learn better if they approached it in a structured and deliberate manner and that it can become “an easy habit and a normal routine”.

“I think quality, availability, affordability, relevance and appropriateness may be factors to be considered to promote continuing learning,” said Prof Cheong, who is also President of UniSIM. 

The Learning Café has seen an average of over 3000 people go through its 17 bite-sized learning modules showcased at the past two pop-up roadshows. Its third edition will run at Jurong Point Shopping Mall till Sunday.