SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Sengkang GRC, has called for a fundamental shift in Singapore’s approach to workforce development, arguing that the country should expand university access and train more local graduates instead of relying on importing foreign talent to fill skilled positions.
In a Facebook post on 14 March, Lim reiterated his proposal from the Committee of Supply debate for the Ministry of Education’s 2025 budget on 6 March.
He highlighted that Singapore faces a skilled worker gap, with reports indicating that as many as four in five companies encounter workforce talent shortages.
Lim Calls for University Admissions Based on Absolute Standards, Not Relative Ranking
While the government has addressed this issue by importing talent from abroad, Lim believes this approach is insufficient when local graduates could be equipped to take on these roles instead.
Lim acknowledged that hiring foreign professionals is not inherently problematic, especially when certain skills are unavailable locally.
However, he cautioned that the issue arises when jobs filled by foreigners could actually be performed by Singaporean graduates.
He questioned whether the education system is adequately preparing students for industry demands.
According to Lim, the problem is not necessarily that Singapore’s education system is of poor quality. On the contrary, it remains among the best globally.
However, he argued that the system fosters an “educational arms race,” where students are graded relative to their peers rather than based on absolute standards.
“But the opposite happens when it is an easier subject: if scaling were to be applied, then those who actually know their stuff—and who would otherwise score an “A”—get unfairly penalized, with a marked-down grade, ” Lim said.
Lim proposed that university admission should focus less on relative ranking and more on absolute criteria.
Students who meet the academic requirements to pass courses and obtain degrees should be given the opportunity to pursue higher education.
He stressed that setting realistic standards would not dilute academic quality but would ensure that all students who have the capability to graduate are not denied the chance to study their chosen fields.
Lim Urges Industry-Aligned Education Pathways to Strengthen Local Workforce
Addressing concerns that such a system might burden weaker students with debt if they struggle or drop out, Lim suggested expanding resources to support students.
“And truth be told, I’ve never been convinced that performance in one high-stakes test, like the “O”/“N”/“A”-levels, is indicative of future success. Indeed, many successful people (including CEOs, politicians, and academics) have shared how they did poorly in a given exam.”
Another argument against expanding university access is the fear of overproducing graduates.
“But in reality, what we have is a shortfall in skills training. We then try to fill these with foreign graduates, who may not have been good enough to success in our present system to begin with. ”
Instead of relying on overseas talent, Lim suggested that local students be channelled into programmes aligned with industry needs, particularly applied degrees from institutions like the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
Meanwhile, top students could continue being directed towards flagship research universities like the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
Lim pointed to international models that adopt a more inclusive approach to university admissions.
For instance, the French public university system is generally open to all students who pass the baccalauréat, while top students aim for the prestigious Grandes Écoles.
Similarly, certain German universities practice free admission, setting high academic standards while allowing students who struggle to voluntarily drop out.
In the United States, the University of California system maintains strict entry requirements, but the California State University system provides more liberal admission policies, ensuring access for underrepresented college students.
Lim Challenges Government’s Stance, Calls for Inclusive University Admissions to Maximise Local Talent
Lim also highlighted that Education Minister Chan Chun Sing has earlier pushed back against such proposal, asserting that the government’s priority is not simply to increase the number of graduates but to ensure that graduates meet the actual needs of employers.
While Lim agreed with the importance of matching graduates to workforce demands, he argued that his proposal is not incompatible with that goal.
Instead, he believes that Singapore is neglecting a significant pool of potential students who are both interested in and capable of pursuing industry-relevant degrees but are currently excluded due to highly competitive entry requirements.
Lim contended that Singapore’s focus should not be on importing talent while overlooking its own human capital. By adopting a more inclusive university admission policy based on minimum entry criteria, the country could cultivate a workforce that is better prepared for the demands of the economy.
He asserted that failing to leverage local talent is a fundamental shortcoming in the current system, one that could be addressed with strategic education reforms.
Chan Chun Sing Defends MOE’s Long-Term Approach to Skills Development and Graduate Employability
During the Parliament sitting on 7 March, Minister Chan stressed the need for a long-term approach in designing courses for students.
He explained that since students take years to graduate, MOE must look beyond short-term labour market trends. Instead, courses should equip students with skills needed in the next five to ten years.
Additionally, adjacent skills should be developed to help graduates pivot into new jobs that may not yet exist.
Chan was responding to concerns about the latest graduate employment survey, released on 24 February, which showed a decline in full-time employment for fresh graduates in 2024.
MP Jessica Tan and Leader of Opposition Pritam Singh questioned whether a skills gap exists and if the trend reflects a long-term issue. Singh also asked if MOE would review polytechnic and university curriculums to ensure graduates develop adaptable skills.
Addressing these concerns, Chan stated that the number of graduates produced each year is less important than whether they have the right skills for quality jobs.
He emphasised that graduates should not only secure good starting salaries but also have strong long-term career prospects. Ultimately, Chan cautioned against a mere pursuit of degrees, arguing that skill development is the key priority.
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