Singapore Workforce Development Agency
.gif) Logo of the WDA | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 17, 2003 |
| Headquarters | 1 Marina Boulevard, #16-01, One Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018989 |
| Employees | 800+ |
| Agency executives |
Tan Pheng Hock, Chairman Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive[1] Goh Eng Ghee, Deputy Chief Executive Winston Toh, Deputy Chief Executive |
| Parent agency | Ministry of Manpower |
| Website |
www |
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (Abbreviation: WDA; Chinese: 新加坡劳动力发展局) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower of the Singapore Government.
Overview
WDA was established in 2003 to enhance the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life and advance with skills. In today's economy, most jobs require not just knowledge, but also skills.
WDA collaborates with employers, industry associations, the Union and training organisations, to develop and strengthen the Continuing Education and Training (CET) system that is skills-based, open and accessible, as a mainstream pathway for all workers - young and older, from rank and file to professionals and executives - to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives.
For Singapore's workforce to remain competitive and employable in today's fast-changing workplace, they must have both knowledge and skills that are relevant, current and sought after by employers. In turn, this will also help companies strengthen their capabilities, remain competitive, and contribute to stronger economic growth for Singapore.
WDA aims to help workers advance in their careers and lives by developing and strengthening skills-based training for adults. We work with various partners--including employers, industry associations, the Union and training organisations--to develop relevant skills-based training that is accessible to all in the Workforce, whether young or old, from rank-and-file to professionals and executives.
Mission
To enhance the employability and competitiveness of our workforce.[2]
Vision
To mark its fifth anniversary, WDA adopted a new vision statement [3] in 2008 to reflect its broader role and bolder aspirations as the agency championing Continuing Education and Training (CET) through skills training and upgrading in Singapore. The new vision articulates WDA’s role that has evolved over the last 5 years and reflects the unique role of WDA:
- A Competitive Workforce, with workers Learning for Life, and Advancing with Skills[4]
- Learning for Life links WDA to its past emphasis that continues to be relevant today;
- Advancing with Skills reflects WDA’s focus on the future and the outcome it seeks. Through WSQ and other training programmes, WDA champions skills and competency based training that is relevant to industry, and helps workers advance in their careers and improve their lives;
- A competitive workforce is what WDA ultimately want to achieve, to sharpen Singapore's competitiveness, and Singaporeans continue to progress and prosper.
CET Campuses
In 2013, Singapore's workforce can look forward to two National Continuing Education and Training (CET) Campuses which will be a one-stop destination for skills training and career opportunities. When ready, the two campuses can train up to 50,000 adults each year. Both CET Campuses will cluster best-in-class CET providers and serve as gateways for our workforce to access a wide variety of in-demand skills training and relevant upgrading programmes. Beyond training, workers can also access career services and get connected to employers.
Both campuses will serve as:
1) A Gateway for our workforce, from rank-and-file to professionals, managers, executives (PMEs), to discover career opportunities, and access relevant training that will help them stay employable and progress in their careers.
2) A hub of high-quality and best-in-class CET providers, clustered under one roof, that leverage each other and connect with a wider network of providers around the island.
3) An Employment Exchange for employers to meet their manpower needs and for workers to pursue career and professional development.
4) A One-Stop Centre integrating career coaching, training, assessment and career services. Locations
The CET Campus East will be located in Paya Lebar Central, an up-and-coming vibrant district that brims with an exciting array of public spaces, cafes, shops and cultural activities. The CET Campus West will be located at Jurong Lake District, earmarked as the biggest lakeside destination for business and leisure. Both the Campuses will feature open physical architecture, with an inviting and progressive learning environment and top-notch facilities.
Industry Skills Frameworks
The WDA encourages continuous upgrading by providing training frameworks across diverse industries, from floristry to aerospace. Examples of other industries are:
- Aerospace
- Business Management
- Clinical Research
- Community and Social Service
- Creative Industries
- Financial Industry
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Environmental Cleaning
- Financial Industry Competency Standards
- Floristry
- Food & Beverage
- Generic Manufacturing
- Healthcare Support
- Human Resource
- Landscape
- Leadership and People Management
- National Infocomm Competency Standards
- Occupational Hygiene
- Port Services
- Precision Engineering
- Process Industry
- Public Transport
- Retail
- Security
- Service Excellence
- Textile and Fashion Technology
- Tourism
- Training and Adult Education
- Workplace Safety and Health for Marine Industry
- Wafer Fabrication
- Workplace Safety and Health Professionals
Notes
- ↑ "Ng Cher Pong appointed as new chief executive of WDA". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ↑ Singapore Workforce Development Agency Vision, Mission and Values
- ↑ Press Release on WDA's New Vision Statement
- ↑ http://app2.wda.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=8 Singapore Workforce Development Agency Vision, Mission and Values
