10.2 Acknowledgement

This study did not define the skills requirements or skills needs based on the level of the job whether at entry- or senior level. The different levels of job may require different perspectives on what skills are required, their importance and their extent. Also, the skills proficiency was self-reported which are open to biases.

The information about TPs’ business performance gave us a glimpse of the state of the TAE sector. Though a third of TPs could be considered to be doing well in terms of adoption of up-to-date technologies, developing new products and customisation of products and services, more than 1 in 10 (13%) were far behind in these aspects. We need to study these companies deeper to better understand the business and provide the appropriate intervention to drive innovation and productivity in the TAE sector. Having a better understanding of their business position, and the challenges they face could provide useful insights for the best way of serving and helping the TAE sector.

The TAE landscape study shows the baseline information about the supply side of training programmes and services by training providers and TAE professionals. A study to include the adult learners and enterprises representing the demand side of training programmes and offerings could follow suit to allows us see the match / gaps between the supply and demand of adult education and training in Singapore. It is important that the survey is repeated every few years to build up trending data to monitor labour market changes in the TAE sector and enhance the ways of assisting the development of the TAE sector.

10.2 Acknowledgement

The study was funded by SkillsFuture Singapore Agency. We thank SSG divisions for their kind support and inputs.

We would like to thank all the training organisations and TAE professionals who participated in this study. We would also like to extend our thanks and appreciation to our Visiting Fellow Professor Ursula Renold and Visiting Researchers Associate Professor Margarita Pavlova and Assistant Professor Vahid Aryadoust for their invaluable comments and advice. Thanks also go to our research assistants and interns who helped at various phases of the project: Catherine Ramos, Lynn Dee Puah, Wei Yu, Crystal Lee, Wang Xinghua, Muhammad Wiranto Kasmuri, Dave Cheah Koon Sum, Khoo Ee Ling, Kirsten Ho, Ng Qi Jia, and Winston Tan Wen Jie.

Special thanks to our supervisors Ms Sim Soo Kheng, Dr Helen Bound, Ms Hui Mei San, and Professor Lee Wing On for their critical guidance and much needed encouragement.