A New Badging Pathway to Boost Workplace Learning

Description

In an exciting strategic move, IAL and the Institute of Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) have recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that aims to further boost workplace learning in Singapore. As part of the MOU, the two institutes will launch a role badge to jointly recognise the competencies and proficiencies required of a Workplace Learning Professional.  

Workplace learning in the spotlight  
 

Workplace learning has been steadily gaining traction in Singapore in recent years as enterprises start to embrace authentic, in-situ learning to improve productivity. IAL’s Executive Director Associate Professor (Practice) Yeo Li Pheow highlights, “In the current training and learning landscape, there is notable momentum and support for adult learning, which heralds exciting opportunities for the workforce.”  
 

To support the demand for adult educators and workplace trainers skilled in this area, IAL has been rolling out a range of initiatives including short and certificated courses.  The institute’s Centre for Workplace Learning and Performance works with enterprises to kickstart workplace learning projects and employee-driven initiatives to achieve outcomes such as operational efficiency and employee professionalisation. 
 

Why badging? 
 

The new role badge is an important move to recognise skills and competencies in addition to the current practice of paper qualifications. Currently, IAL awards skills badges to adult educators who are able to demonstrate their proficiency at the benchmark required. These skills range from learning solution design to workplace learning facilitation. With the new role badge initiative, professionals who have accumulated specific skill badges across IAL and IHRP can apply to be awarded the “Workplace Learning Professional” role badge. 
 

This allows management to decide which consultants are suited to meet the enterprise’s workplace learning needs, or plan the necessary training to develop their in-house workplace trainers.  
 

“This initiative creates broader professional pathways for individuals, and enterprises will be able to access a diverse cadre of qualified adult educators. In addition, enterprises can forge stronger connections with an extensive network of like-minded business leaders in promoting workplace learning,” emphasises Associate Professor Yeo. 
 

A skills-first future 
 

Continuous learning is crucial to ensuring that both workers and enterprises stay adaptable and resilient in a fast-evolving economic landscape. Badging pathways are a strategic shift in the direction of placing skills first and support the drive for lifelong upgrading.  
 

IAL’s partnership with IHRP is testament to the institute’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development in the workplace. “Given the challenges that Singapore is facing today, such as an ageing population and a shrinking talent pool, the traditional methods of recruitment and talent management are no longer sustainable. A skills-first approach can potentially help to address this. By embracing a skills-first mindset, organisations can cultivate a dynamic and adaptable workforce capable of navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape,” reiterates Aslam Sardar, Chief Executive Officer of IHRP.