8.3 Challenges in tapping on TAE policies

Table 31: Policies tapped on by TPs and TAE professionals

Policies / Initiatives

SkillsFuture Credit WSQ AEN

TPs (n=326)

AEs (n=535) HRDs (n=138)

TMs (n=252)

37.7% N.A. 35.5% 36.1% 29.4% 31.4% 34.1% 36.1% 11.3% 20.2% 8.7% 12.7%

Enhanced training support for SMEs

9.8% 3.9% 11.6% 13.5% Skill Future Study Award 8.9% 14.8% 10.1% 9.1% Skill Future Earn and Learn Programme 8.9% 7.3% 9.4% 8.7% CDG 7.4% 2.4% 10.1% 6.7% AEP 5.5% 5.6% 5.8% 5.6% Training and Adult Education Professional Competency Model 5.2% 8.8% 8% 6% Enterprise Training Support for Employers 4.3% N.A. N.A. N.A. iN.LEARN 2020 2.5% 0.9% 3.6% 2.8% Singapore Accreditation Council Accrediation Scheme 2.8% N.A. N.A. N.A. English @ workplace 1.8% 0.9% 2.8% 1.6% None N.A. 36.6% 19.6% 17.5%

For AEs who tapped on these policies and initiatives, about 60% reported that these initiatives helped them grow client / customer base and also deepen existing and new knowledge and skills (e.g., through gaining WSQ training qualification and attending AEN).

For TPs, among those who tapped on the TAE related policies and initiatives, about half mentioned it helped them grow client / customer base and revenue (e.g., through offering SkillsFuture Credit programmes). Among those few that tapped on iN.LEARN 2020, about half mentioned that they adopted new modes of delivery such as e-learning because of the funding.

8.3 Challenges in tapping on TAE policies

Table 33 lists the challenges faced by TAE providers and professionals tapping on TAE related policies and initiatives. Of the 326 surveyed TPs, time consuming (30.4%, n = 99) was the top challenge in tapping on these policies/initiatives for both WSQ TPs and Non-WSQ TPs. They also found the application process complicated (23.9%, n = 78), difficulty in meeting criteria (22.4%, n =73), and lack of available information (21.2%, n =69). The challenges seemed to be more so for Non-WSQ TPs; more than 1 in 4 Non-WSQ TPs mentioned the difficulty in meeting criteria as compared to less than 1 in 5 WSQ TPs which said so. See also table 34.

For the TAE professionals, their top challenges were similar with the TPs namely, time-consuming, lack of available information, difficulty in meeting criteria, and complicated application process, see table 32.

More than 1 in 3 TPs and AEs mentioned they had multiple challenges while 2 in 5 TPs and 1 in 4 AEs reported having no challenges at all.