Background

SkillsFuture@NS is part of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA's) continuing efforts to recognise our Full-time National Servicemen's (NSFs') contributions to defence. MINDEF, the SAF and MHA seek to provide support for skills upgrading, career discovery and workforce readiness for NSFs as they transit to studies or work after they complete their full-time NS. This builds on existing efforts such as the accreditation of NS skills and competencies under the Workforce Skills Qualifications framework, Electronic Pre-Release Employment Programme (E-PREP) credits offered to NSFs for online courses, and the Enhanced Career and Education Fair for NSFs who are about to complete their full-time NS.

At the 2019 Committee of Supply Debate, MINDEF and the SAF introduced a suite of SkillsFuture@NS initiatives to support our NSFs' lifelong learning journey. MINDEF, the SAF and MHA are working with public and private sector partners to better enhance the NSFs' transition after their Operationally Ready Date (ORD). This includes: (i) extending NSFs' E-PREP credits of $350 from 200 to 3,300 selected courses, to help NSFs refresh, update or acquire new skills; (ii) working with Institutes of Higher Learning on modular courses for E-PREP that will grant NSFs credit exemptions for higher education programmes after their ORD; and (iii) providing a career orientation experience for NSFs near their ORD through the conduct of customised SkillsFuture Advice workshops.

Improvements to the Enhanced Career and Education Fair

The Enhanced Career and Education Fair (ECEF), held quarterly for NSFs who are in their last three to six months of National Service (NS), provides resources and information on future career and education opportunities and pathways. Introduced in 2015, the ECEF has expanded to include approximately 57 exhibitors from key economic sectors and 15 Institutes of Higher Learning. Under SkillsFuture@NS, improvements to the ECEF included:  

1. Introduction of SkillsFuture Advice Workshops. In partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore, People's Association, and Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), the hour-long SkillsFuture Advice workshops guide NSF participants to reflect on the skills and competencies they have acquired throughout their NS journey, learn more about making choices post-NS, and find out more about the available government resources to help them. The SkillsFuture Advice workshops will be conducted for all NSFs attending the ECEF henceforth.  

2. Introduction of "Career Starter Pack for NSFs". In collaboration with Workforce Singapore (WSG), a digital NS version of the Career Starter Pack for all NSFs, under WSG's Career Starter Programme, was launched today. The one-stop online resource guide aims to equip post-ORD entrants to the workforce with necessary tools and resources for their job search, by providing targeted support for NSFs seeking employment and introducing MyCareersFuture.sg as the platform to look for jobs based on their skill sets. Post-ORD NSFs can also attend the Career Booster Workshops to reinforce their job search strategies and skills, or seek professional support via 1-to-1 career coaching from WSG's Careers Connect. 


3. Partnership with Economic Agencies for Targeted Zones at ECEF. To deliver a more focused and targeted experience, based on participating NSFs' education and skills backgrounds, as well as industry manpower needs, this year's ECEF introduced thematic zones for priority economic sectors such as Infocomm Technology and Logistics. This is an expansion of the Engineering Zone, which was introduced in 2017 in collaboration with the Economic Development Board to hiring more engineers to meet future industry needs. Over the years, the ECEF has also expanded partnerships with agencies such as Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board to tap on a wider pool of employers from their network of companies across different industries and sectors, so that NSFs can find a career that is of relevance and interest to them.

Updates on Other SkillsFuture@NS Initiatives

E-PREP Credits. NSFs can now use their E-PREP training credits for 3,300 courses from Udemy ^[1], an increase from 200 online courses previously offered. In addition, NSFs are able to subscribe to a one-year access to Udemy's E-PREP online courses. NSFs can also continue to sign up for online courses from other E-PREP course providers ^[2]. In addition, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP) have offered 26 credit-bearing courses, which allow NSFs to obtain course and/or credit exemption should they further their studies at SUSS or TP. MINDEF, the SAF and MHA will continue to expand the E-PREP course directory with new course offerings, including SkillsFuture Series courses, to be included by end-2019.

Participating Vendors at the Enhanced Career and Education Fair 

Career Exhibition. 

Education Exhibition.