ABSTRACT
This chapter argues for education system change that is farsighted and holistic and prepares young people for life rather than school examinations. SkillsFuture helps ensure that young Singaporeans emerge from the education system with the skills respond to the complexities of the future and that current workers have the skills to remain relevant to their industries. This chapter examines the development of lifelong learning in Singapore and examines the issues and challenges associated with SkillsFuture in the years ahead. Although the current attention is on the SkillsFuture movement, lifelong learning began much earlier in Singapore's history. One of the early milestones was the legislation for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) through the Skills Development Levy Act in 1979. The SDF provided funding to companies for skills upgrading for their workers. In 2001 lifelong learning was given a boost through the Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund (LLEF) Act.
