Institute for Adult Learning Singapore

04/09/2026

As Singapore advances a skills-first and AI-enabled economy, capability building can no longer happen in silos.

Join our latest innovLogue, “Building Capability Ecosystems: How Organisations, Institutes, and Industry Must Co-Create”, to learn how stronger partnerships can support workforce development and adult learning in practice.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4w0RVx1

01/09/2026

Have an idea, solution or learning innovation that could shape the future of adult learning? Don’t miss your chance to make it happen.

IAL’s Innovation Grant Pathways are currently open, with 3 funding opportunities to help you move from idea to action.

💡 Ideation Award – S$5,000
🧪 Incubation Award – S$50,000
🚀 Prototyping Grant – Up to S$150,000

If you missed our recent Applicants Briefing Session, you can still watch the recording, view the presentation slides and apply here: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-innovation-grant-pathways

Applications close 4 Sep 2026, 6:00pm (SGT).

27/08/2026

Over the past year, we have shared about what Skills-First means, what it looks like in practice, and how it can shape the way we recognise, develop and grow the workforce.

Here’s a quick TRUE or FALSE recap of some of the key points we have covered.

At its core, Skills-First puts skills at the centre of how we understand what people can do, identify opportunities for development and support career and workforce growth.

Now, the conversation is moving towards action.

This October, IAL will launch a new "Skills-First Framework for Action" to help individuals and employers put Skills-First into practice.

Stay tuned for more updates.

25/08/2026

As jobs, technology and workplaces continue to evolve, having the right skills is only part of the equation. Workers need to continually develop and adapt their skills, while organisations need to create the conditions for those skills to be put into practice.

In a recent Straits Times commentary, IAL Executive Director, Assoc Prof (Practice) Terence Ho explores what it takes to build a more agile, adaptable and innovative workforce.

He highlights three areas that can help workers and enterprises thrive:

- Nimble and adaptable workers who are ready to learn and grow
- Organisational transformation that activates skills and unlocks workers’ potential
- A refreshed work and learning ecosystem enabled by public policy

Building a future-ready workforce means fostering a culture of continuous learning and skills development, with individuals, employers and the wider ecosystem working together.

Read the full commentary, now republished on the IAL website:

Institute for Adult Learning Singapore

24/08/2026

In an AI-enabled economy, our human edge lies in deep learning, the ability to think critically and apply knowledge creatively.

Yet, IAL research reveals that less than 1 in 3 workers in Singapore are deep learners, while 41% fall into the "defeated" category. Access to training alone does not guarantee equal outcomes.

The solution? A shift in the workplace environment. When employers design roles that encourage experimentation and problem-solving, an employee's internal drive to learn surges by nearly 50%.

It is time to shift from simply counting training hours to driving true workplace impact.

💡 Read the article to discover how we can build a nation of deep learners: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Deep-Learners

21/08/2026

How do you scale a boutique craft-based business without diluting its heritage? For Rumah Kim Choo, the answer lay in transforming how their people contribute to the business.

They embarked on a Learning Enterprise Alliance project with IAL to redesign their employees' roles from transactional sales staff into knowledgeable "Peranakan Heritage Ambassadors".

Through practical, shop-floor coaching structured around daily constraints, the team built critical storytelling and curation capabilities. This workforce transformation not only elevated employee morale, it unlocked entirely new revenue streams through public cultural workshops, turning workplace learning into a direct driver of sales.

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-Rumah-Kim-Choo

19/08/2026

Are we using AI to work smarter, or letting it replace our critical thinking?

A global study led by IAL's Principal Researcher, Associate Professor Chen Zan, found that while 63.6% of educators use AI to save time, most organisations still lack a clear AI strategy. This creates a gap between individual adoption and institutional support.

Assoc Prof Chen Zan is also one of the editors for the book "Navigating the AI Frontier in Adult Education: International Practices and Perspectives from Adult Learning, Training, and Higher Education". The publication introduces the Co-Intelligence Matrix, a framework for intentional and responsible use of AI to automate routine tasks, augment human expertise, and free people to focus on higher-value work such as creativity, collaboration and decision-making.

Read the book for free and discover how to lead in an AI-driven world: https://tinyurl.com/AI-Frontier-AE

18/08/2026

Introducing ACLP 3.0, the latest version of the WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP).

Designed to support today's workplace learning needs, ACLP 3.0 offers a streamlined learning experience with a strong emphasis on practical application. Participants will develop job-ready competencies that can be readily applied in real-world professional settings.

Find out more about ACLP 3.0, including admission requirements and FAQs: https://tinyurl.com/IAL-ACLP-3

17/08/2026

Many SMEs invest in workforce training but still find it challenging to translate new skills into stronger business outcomes. One reason? Employees' capabilities are often underutilised, while innovation remains largely driven from the top.

IAL's People-driven Innovation in Enterprises (PIE) programme is designed to address this by empowering frontline employees to solve real business challenges through workplace learning, innovation and experimentation. Eligible SMEs can also tap into up to 90% consultancy grants via NACE@IAL to support their transformation journey.

Curious how this works in practice? Read our blog to learn how companies like Raffles Strata Management rewired their growth: https://tinyurl.com/From-Ideas-To-Impact

Ready to transform your business through people-driven innovation? Reach out to us at [email protected]

14/08/2026

We congratulate Assoc Prof (Practice) Gog Soon Joo, Senior Director, Centre for Skills-First Practices at IAL, on her appointment to the Global Advisory Panel on Skills (GAPS), a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the Center for Global Development.

GAPS connects international researchers, practitioners, policymakers and private-sector leaders to explore what works in skills development globally and how effective approaches can be adapted across different contexts.

With her extensive experience in skills policy, workforce development and practice, Assoc Prof Gog brings valuable perspectives to the panel. We look forward to her contributions to advancing skills development and strengthening skills systems globally.