National Jobs Council could drive a rethink of Singapore's skills and labour profile

Observers say such a panel can spot skills gaps and launch training more quickly; digital skills will probably be a focus, as will developing skills that are portable across sectors

Annabeth Leow

Published Wed, May 27, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore manpower

Singapore

THE National Jobs Council will help Singapore sharpen workforce planning in a post-coronavirus world, observers told The Business Times.

Still, their views were mixed on how the labour market profile, and the skills needed in the future economy, could be changed by the global virus crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Tuesday unveiled a new body that "will be focused on creating jobs and building deep skills", in tandem with the Future Economy Council and its sectoral transformation maps.

Even though more details - such as the nature of these skills - have yet to be released, Nilay Khandelwal, m…