For enquiries about the event, we can be contacted at csfp@ial.edu.sg
Happening at:
Simpor Junior Ballroom, Level 4
Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
The Skills-First: Framework for Action sets out a collective commitment to advance skills-first practices across Singapore’s workforce ecosystem. In an era shaped by AI, automation, and rapid economic change, it provides a shared direction for employers, workers, training providers, unions, and policymakers to strengthen career health and career longevity, build workforce resilience, enhance business competitiveness, and enable human-centric transformation through coordinated ecosystem action.
The programme will feature the launch of the Framework, a presentation of its key commitments and recommendations, followed by a panel discussion with leaders from government, academia, the labour movement, and industry on how collective action can accelerate the adoption of skills-first practices to realise the fullest potential of every individual and organisation, enabling both to grow and thrive. To know more about the programme, please visit our webpage here.
8.30am to 9.30am
Registration & Coffee
9.30am
Welcome Address by IAL Executive Director
9.35am
Opening Address by GOH
9.50am
Launch of Skills-First: Framework for Action
10.00am
Presentation of Skills-First: Framework for Action
The presentation will introduce the Framework for Action (FfA), highlighting its purpose, key messages and priorities for advancing skills-first practices. It will also spotlight key stakeholder commitments to translating the Framework into meaningful action.
10.15am
Launch of Adult Education Fellow (AEF) Appointment
10.30am to 11.00am
Tea Break
11.00am
Panel Discussion – Advancing Skills-First Practices
The panel will explore how the Framework can be translated into action across Singapore’s workforce ecosystem, including how to initiate and test pilot ideas, identify the most promising areas for action, and mobilise stakeholders to lead these efforts.
12.15pm
Closing Remarks by CSFP Director
12.30pm to 2.00pm
Lunch & Networking
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Job Security
National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)
Senior Director (Special Projects)
Institute for Adult Learning (IAL)
Deputy Chairman
Human Capital Action Committee, Singapore Business Federation (SBF)
Deputy Chief Executive
Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA)
Provost
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Vice President
Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF)
Managing Director
The Media Consultants
Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Via MRT
Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre is conveniently located next to Bayfront MRT Station (CE1/DT16), which is served by the Circle Line and Downtown Line.
Use Exit C or D after alighting at Bayfront MRT Station and follow the directional signs to Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre.
Via Car & Taxi
Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre is located at 10 Bayfront Avenue.
Parking
Parking is available at the Marina Bay Sands South and Central Car Parks, with direct access to the Expo & Convention Centre via internal walkways. Self-parking is charged at S$14.00 for the first hour and S$1.50 for every subsequent half hour. Taxi and private-hire vehicle drop-offs are available at the Expo & Convention Centre entrance.
Centre for Skills-First Practices (CSFP) is set up to build capability and mindshare of stakeholders to articulate, activate, and recognise skills, thereby driving the optimisation of human capital development and effective use of skills in Singapore.
It focuses on:
Building Ecosystem Wide Capabilities
Mount Capability Development Programmes that empower stakeholders to embrace skills-first practices.
Developing Analytical Methods
Uncover cutting-edge methods that inform policy and programme design, and provide lead response time to stakeholders
Championing Global Strategic Convening
Work with local and international organisations to promulgate skills-first practices and forge partnerships in joint projects.
To know more about our projects and initiatives, please visit us here.
For enquiries about the event, we can be contacted at csfp@ial.edu.sg
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Job Security
National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)
Ms Caryn Lim is the Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Job Security at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). She oversees NTUC’s Job Security ecosystem, driving efforts to improve workers’ wages and work prospects by helping workers access end-to-end support from skills training and career coaching to job matching while supporting companies in their workforce and business transformation. She works closely with tripartite partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen workforce resilience and employment outcomes for workers.
Senior Director (Special Projects)
Institute for Adult Learning (IAL)
Associate Professor (Practice) Gog Soon Joo is the Senior Director (Special Projects) at the Singapore University of Social Sciences-Institute for Adult Learning, where she leads the Skills-First projects. Formerly, Chief Skills Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at SkillsFuture Singapore where she led transformation projects in enhancing the continuing education system.
Soon Joo is highly sought after thought leader in skills development and lifelong learning. She works with global research institutions, think-tanks, and technology solution partners in shaping the skills ecosystem. Her research interests include skills policy, skills ecosystem, skills-first practices for inclusive economic development, and longevity economy. She serves as council member at the WEF Global Future Council for Human Capital Development, and member of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies steering committee.
Deputy Chairman
Human Capital Action Committee, Singapore Business Federation (SBF)
Mr Melvin Tan is the Chief Executive Officer of Cyclect Group, an 83-year-old engineering group that has evolved and transformed several times in response to changing industries, technologies and business needs. Since taking on the leadership role in 2005, he has driven the Group’s growth, diversification and enterprise transformation.
He is Vice President and Honorary Secretary of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Vice-Chairman of SBF’s Human Capital Action Committee (HCAC), and Vice President of both the E50 Association and ASPRI.
Melvin brings perspectives spanning entrepreneurship, enterprise transformation, workforce development and building future-ready organisational capabilities.
Deputy Chief Executive
Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA)
Ms Pao Jia Yu is the Deputy Chief Executive overseeing sector development, intelligence and planning at the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA). She also serves as Deputy Secretary (Artificial Intelligence) at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. Prior to the formation of SWDA, Jia Yu was concurrently Deputy Chief Executive (Planning) at SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore. She has also served in various other roles in the Singapore public service, including the Strategy Group at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Provost
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Professor Robbie Goh is Provost of the Singapore University of Social Sciences and former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the National University of Singapore. A scholar of literature and cultural studies, he has published extensively across disciplines including religion, urban studies, and popular culture. Beyond academia, he also contributes actively to community and social service through various leadership and advisory roles.
Vice President
Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF)
Ms Tan Hwee Bin is the Executive Director of Wing Tai Holdings Limited, listed on the Singapore Exchange. She is the Vice President of the Singapore National Employers Federation, and serves on the boards of NTUC Enterprise Co-operative Limited, NTUC FairPrice Co-operative Limited and Tripartite Alliance Limited. She is also the Co-Chair of Singapore’s Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment.
Ms Tan is a Chartered Accountant of Singapore and graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the National University of Singapore, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in Boston.
Managing Director
The Media Consultants
Ms Sharon Tong has 20 years of experience as a TV journalist and news presenter on Channel NewsAsia. She has fronted many major news events, including the Singapore General Elections, Singapore Presidential Elections and the state funeral of Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. She has conducted in-depth interviews with major newsmakers, including former President Ong Teng Cheong, the Prime Minister and George Yeo. She has also hosted discussion forums and moderated live audiences. Beyond broadcasting, she also trains news reporters, presenters, CEOs, managers and executives in media interviews, voice and presentation skills for organisations including Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, Royal Dutch Shell, MCL Land and Wildlife Reserves Singapore.