New advisory committee among initiatives to boost lifelong learning, job opportunities for people with disabilities

Singapore launched a new advisory committee on Monday, October 12, to enhance training for people with disabilities (PWDs) and align it with the needs of learners and employers. The advice committee on Continuing Education and Training (CET) for PWDs will bring together experts from the disability, training, and employment sectors to improve training quality, relevance, and accessibility. This initiative comes as Singapore expands support for PWDs throughout their lives, following recommendations from a recent taskforce.

Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and National Development, emphasized that learning remains crucial for PWDs regardless of their chosen path, which may include employment or community involvement. Other initiatives announced by SG Enable, Singapore’s national disability agency, include a sector train-and-place program, which offers a structured pathway from skills training to employment.

This program will soon expand to five additional industries, including food and beverage, logistics, and human resources and administration.

SG Enable is also increasing the Course Fee Grant for PWDs to cover mainstream training courses, making it easier for them to upskill without financial barriers. Furthermore, an adult educator capability development framework will be introduced to help educators deliver accessible training, while training providers will receive grants to enhance their educators and learning environments for PWDs.

Building a lifelong support system for PWDs requires collaboration among caregivers, employers, training providers, and the public and private sectors.