Institute for Adult Learning Singapore

30/10/2026

What will matter most in adult learning by 2035?

Will qualifications still carry the same weight? How much responsibility would we give AI? And can our learning system keep pace with change without compromising trust?

These are some of the questions explored in IAL’s TAE3 Strategic Foresight Report which examines four possible futures for Training and Adult Education (TAE) in Singapore.

Assoc Prof Chen Zan, Principal Researcher, and Bryan John Ang, Researcher, both from IAL’s Research Division, weigh in on these dilemmas that could shape the future of learning, sharing their perspectives on the choices we may need to make today.

Watch the conversation, and tell us: What would you prioritise?

For the full report, “Four Futures Scenarios for Training and Adult Education in Singapore” download here: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Strategic-Foresight

28/10/2026

Singapore has invested significantly in building a Skills-First ecosystem. But how do we know if these efforts are translating into meaningful changes in the workplace?

IAL’s Centre for Skills-First Practices (CSFP) explores these questions in its latest report, Research and Development for Singapore’s Skills-First Future.

The report sets out a research and development agenda focused on three priorities:
• Monitor the adoption and outcomes of Skills-First practices.
• Evaluate what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
• Experiment with new approaches to strengthen Skills-First implementation.

Discover how research and development can help Singapore advance towards a Skills-First future where skills are recognised and rewarded.

🔗 Read the report: https://tinyurl.com/Research-Development-Agenda

26/10/2026

What happens when a growing business depends too much on a few experienced people?

To support its next phase of growth, EBA Machinery Services Pte Ltd needed to turn technical know-how into capability that could be shared and scaled.

Through IAL’s Learning Enterprise Alliance programme, EBA turned specialised expertise into everyday practices that could be shared, applied and sustained across the business.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-EBA

23/10/2026

IAL has appointed the inaugural cohort of 12 Adult Education Fellows (AEFs) under the national Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway (TAEPP), representing the highest professional recognition under TAEPP.

These AEFs have made significant contributions to the Training and Adult Education field. They will also help nurture the next generation of adult educators through mentorship, thought leadership and the sharing of professional expertise.

Find out more: https://taepp.sg/adult-education-fellow

22/10/2026

Listen to Associate Professor (Practice) Gog Soon Joo, Senior Director, and Mr Edwin Tan, Director of IAL’s Centre for Skills-First Practices, on Mind Your Money as they share why Singapore needs to put skills first and highlight the importance of regular career and skills check-ins.

🎙️ Associate Professor (Practice) Gog Soon Joo: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Mind-Your-Money-GSJ
🎙️ Mr Edwin Tan: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Mind-Your-Money-ET

Careers need check-ups too. As AI and changing business needs reshape the workplace, Cheryl Goh speaks with Edwin Tan, Director, Centre for Skills-First Practices, Institute for Adult Learning at Singapore University of Social Sciences to unpack how to assess the skills you already have, spot where

21/10/2026

What does adopting a Skills-First approach look like in practice?

It starts with looking beyond qualifications and job titles to understand the skills you already have, making deliberate choices about the capabilities you want to develop next, and being able to demonstrate what you can do.

The Skills-First: Framework for Action highlights four things individuals can do to make their skills work for them. Together, these four steps can help you find new opportunities, make better learning choices, achieve professional fulfilment and prepare for change.

Swipe to explore how you can put these Skills-First practices into action.

Want a deeper dive into the Skills-First: Framework For
Action, click here: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Paper-6

20/10/2026

Read The Straits Times’ coverage to find out more about the Skills-First Framework for Action, launched by IAL on 19 October, which proposes 12 pilot initiatives to help companies better utilise workers’ skills and create more career opportunities for Singaporeans.

Singapore launches skills-first framework to help employers look beyond degrees and job titles in hiring and promotion. Read more at straitstimes.com.

19/10/2026

Today, IAL’s Centre for Skills-First Practices (CSFP) launched the Skills-First Framework for Action (FfA), setting out Skills-First practices and pilot ideas to support individuals, enterprises and the wider workforce ecosystem in putting skills at the centre of career and business decision-making.

The framework was developed in partnership with Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC Singapore), Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

The launch was attended by Ms Jasmin Lau 刘洁敏, Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information. The event also brought together more than 300 academics, business leaders, HR professionals, education and training providers, unions, professional bodies and Trade Associations and Chambers to explore how skills-first approaches can move from intent to action.

Read more about the event here: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-FfA-Launch
Learn more about the Skills-First FfA here: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Paper-6

16/10/2026

What happens when a growing food business turns kitchen know-how into shared standards?

For Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak, workplace learning started right in the kitchen. Through IAL’s Learning Enterprise Alliance project, the team structured key work processes for food preparation, portioning and waste management.

The result? More consistent workflows, clearer onboarding and supervisors who are better equipped to train and assess staff on the job.

Looking to reduce reliance on “tribal knowledge” and build capabilities that can scale with your business? Connect with IAL to explore how workplace learning can support your organisation’s next step.

Read the full article: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-BLPNL

14/10/2026

How can Adult Educators (AEs) make an impact beyond individual learners? By designing and delivering learning that supports stronger organisational outcomes.

Through the National Adult Educator (NAE) Registry under the Training and Adult Educator Professional Pathway (TAEPP), AEs can access whitelisted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes for their ongoing development. These programmes are organised across different Domains and Dimensions according to the capabilities they support.

Domain 3: Organisational Change and Effectiveness focuses on how AEs can contribute to stronger learning environments and organisational outcomes, from designing inclusive and industry-relevant learning to embedding learning within the workplace.

Learn more about the programmes here: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-CPD-Programmes