ABSTRACT
Despite limited natural resources, Singapore has a remarkable macro talent management success story to tell the world. Many would look at the small nation-state and ask how a population of just over 5 million can achieve such outstanding results, especially when competing with much larger countries in size and GDP. This chapter illustrates that neither a single agency, organization or person is responsible for Singapore’s success; rather, it is the collective efforts of multiple agencies and a single-minded government that seeks to incorporate cross-border talent flows, diaspora mobility, and effective policies to attract, grow, and retain talent nationally. The chapter begins by discussing Singapore’s education landscape, followed by a review of its public sector macro talent management policies, programs, and activities, and an overview of same in the private sector. Within each sector, concerns and challenges are discussed. The chapter concludes with a focus on macro talent management outcomes inclusive of further debate about potential macro talent management problems and how these are being addressed within the local context of Singapore. Relying heavily on local media articles, the chapter elucidates the ongoing public dialogue about macro talent management, coming to the conclusion that Singapore is viewed regionally, if not globally, as a pre-eminent talent hub.
