Speech at Launch of Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State for Manpower and Trade , Industry, Multi-Purpose Room, RSVP Singapore
Dr Philbert Chin, President RSVP Singapore
Ms Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning. It is a pleasure to witness the launch of the Microsoft Unlimited Potential (MUP) programme- a joint initiative by RSVP Singapore and Microsoft Singapore.
2. The MUP programme aims to equip senior citizens with IT skills. It provides them with the tools of self-learning and skills acquisition. The programme also helps them stay current with the younger workforce and the latest job opportunities. As we embrace life-long learning, the MUP program is especially meaningful in helping us empower the silver talents of our workforce.
Productivity and Older Workers
3. Singapore's labour market is expected to continue to improve in tandem with the global economic recovery. Reflecting the improving economic conditions, job vacancies rose sharply from 24,500 in June 2009 to 34,900 in September 2009. Hiring sentiment is increasingly positive as businesses are optimistic about the economy. However, an ageing population means businesses will have to tap on a multi-generational workforce to make full use of the tight labour market.
4. One in 11 Singaporeans today is aged 65 and above. In 10 years' time, this will be one in six. The employment rate of residents aged 55 to 64 has been increasing steadily over the past five years, from 45.2% during the last economic downturn in 2003 to 57.2% in 2009. Older workers represent a growing pool of silver talents with lifetime of experience and skills. It would only be productive for companies to find the best way to tap on these skills to better contribute to the company.
5. One important element of productivity is developing a workforce with the right skills and expertise. For this, training is important. The MUP programme allows older employees to stay active and remain employable by imparting to them critical IT skills. With these skills, older employees will be more confident to re-enter the workforce or continue to stay employed as a more valued and productive employee in the company.
6. For example, Ms Betty Tee and Teresa Kam, two retired participants in their fifties, were both trained on the MUP programme. Equipped with new Microsoft Excel 2007 skills, they are now more confident with IT and are currently assisting RSVP Singapore with the automation of processes through a new Client Management Information System project. With the usage of the new Client Management Information System, both Betty and Teresa are able to contribute to increasing productivity at RSVP through better management of volunteer data in the system.
7. The Government will also continue to invest in the Continuing Education Training (CET) infrastructure to strengthen skills diversity and depth among our workers. We will also be launching the Workfare Training Scheme (WTS) in July, which will provide older, low wage employees additional financial incentives to upskill. Other than helping to improve their productivity on the job, training will help to bring about inclusive growth as older workers are given the opportunity to seize new opportunities.
8. While the Government introduces initiatives to boost productivity on a larger level, we will need the active participation of the private sector. For example, our private sector should take full advantage of the newly created National Productivity Fund under the new National Productivity and Continuing Education Council to raise productivity. Our private sector should also proactively take up training programs organised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and SPRING to train their workers.
CONCLUSION
9. In conclusion, let me commend RSVP and Microsoft Singapore for this wonderful joint initiative of MUP. I hope by their example many more in the private and people sector would come forward with creative programs to help our workforce reskill and upskill.
Thank you.