How can Singaporeans compete with more skilled, experienced and cheaper foreigners?
I refer to the article “ST-SMU: Degrees versus skills –
Skills are something that activate your knowledge: Ong Ye Kung” (Straits Times, Feb 26).
It states that “In the first of a four-part series, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung explains why he places skills above degrees
He stands by his constant refrain that Singaporeans should stop believing that university education is the only way to develop an individual’s potential.
“This could be in the form of a degree, a master’s, a specialist diploma, an accumulation of short courses attained in different phases of your life, or just something that the industry knows you are good at, without any paper qualifications. It is about having a high level of expertise, passion and mastery in a particular area, ” he says.
Although university degrees are the “currency” to land good jobs at the moment, he stresses that deep skills are what will count for career progression.”
What’s the point of the consistent rhetoric that skills are more important than degrees (no need degree) – when practically everyday – we may be the only developed country in the world that allows practically every Tom, Dick and Harry, to come as tourists to look for jobs, and stay when they find one?
Singaporeans may be competing with foreigners from the whole world, who may be more skilled, more experienced, more educated – who may be willing to work for less pay – cheaper (no CPF), no maternity leave, no National Service, no turnover (2-year contract), etc?
Uniquely Singapore!
Leong Sze Hian
