Is the dream to make SkillsFuture a reality but a policymaker's fantasy?

SkillsFuture: is it a mere fantasy?

Within the polytechnic education circuit, SkillsFuture initiatives are like the biggest thing.  The general sentiment is, as least among the less cynical staff, that the infrastructure of employment is set to experience a radical transformation. And behind this transformation, is a strong government will to reconfigure Singapore's socio-economic motherboard, so that we place a premium on skills, as opposed to paper qualifications; on the ability to learn, as opposed to how innately intelligent one is.

So it comes as a surprise to me that most people I've come across have little clue of what SkillsFuture is, let alone the intent of the policies.  In fact, such people come from a wide spectrum, from the highly educated professionals to experienced industry professionals.  Even a fair number of MOE teachers I'm acquainted with know little as to the intent of SkillsFuture, let alone whether they're convinced its policy goals would come to fruition.  Even within the polytechnic circuit, I do wonder.

More shockingly, a management/director level person in the polytechnic circuit whom I spoke to referred to SkillsFuture as a 'policy fad'.  He could have just been cynical.  But what's worrying is if he were right, then what would that mean for all the effort that's gone into this effort?  Would Singapore remain a narrow, paper qualification driven society, where what counts as success, and what's rewarded as success is narrowed defined as 'Lawyer', 'Doctor' and 'Businessman'?  

In fact with so much buzz about Singapore becoming the first Smart Nation of the world, you would think data analytics is the way to go.  But consider this:  Recently, I had a casual conversation with a data analyst about the smart nation initiative.  

"Wah, you have such foresight.  Who would have thought that analytics and tech would have become so big?  Wish I had been less of an art student wannabe and studied computer science instead"

"Mark, don't be fooled.  At the end of the day, it's the generalist that will be rewarded.  There are tons of cheap and good data analysts from China, India and Vietnam.  After this fad dies down, it will still be the generalist, the business student who wins."

Even though I think I stand to benefit more if Singapore remains paper qualifications driven, in my heart, I feel what should count is skills mastery.  If he were right, I'll be really sad. 

My Easter Plan: Resurrecting my Blog

I can't imagine anyone reading this blog actually.  But about a year ago, when I was still searching for some direction in life, this blog gave me the courage to keep trenching on.  It was my way of maintaining some connection with my past as a General Paper tutor, grieving the death of my role as a teacher in the mainstream education system but also, a way to keep my mind busy and active as I attempted to find some purpose and meaning in life.  

But after I found my job at Republic Poly, things kind of came to a standstill.  Rightly so, for I was too busy trying to get back into the routine of work.  My skills and expertise were frankly a little flabby having floated around for 5 months.  And of course, I was too busy just trying to digest all I needed to to reframe my world and get a sense of what polytechnic education was all about.

Now, almost one year on, on this special pre-Easter day, I'll like to start this blog again, though with a few changes.  I'll like to keep things short and simple, focusing mainly on reflections and questions, rather than analysis and evaluation.  Also, I will focus on keeping to a regular routine of posting once in two weeks, so I can get into the swing of things.  I'll see what happens.

I can do it.  One post at a time.