In the BFM 89.9 interview, Abel Benjamin Lim addressed the significant challenges facing HRD Corp, especially concerning the Public Accounts Committee's findings on high-risk investments and financial mismanagement. Lim highlighted HRD Corp's initial purpose of enhancing workforce quality through training programs funded by employer levies, noting its substantial positive impact on upskilling across various industries. However, he acknowledged that governance issues, including the mismanagement of funds and risky investments, have critically undermined its effectiveness.
When asked about alternative upskilling strategies, Lim suggested implementing personalized learning pathways through AI-powered technology to tailor training to employees' roles and interests, micro-learning with short, impactful courses for continuous learning, and collaborations with educational institutions and online platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. He also emphasized the importance of digital skills and transformational learning to help employees adapt to evolving job requirements.
Regarding potential government incentives if the levy system is removed, Lim proposed tax incentives, grants, and subsidies for training programs, public-private partnerships to reduce costs, and strict regulatory oversight to prevent misuse of funds.
To enhance governance and accountability within HRD Corp, Lim recommended enhancing collaboration with industry stakeholders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, regularly monitoring and evaluating training effectiveness, focusing on HRD Corp’s core mission, and developing a long-term strategy for governance and training effectiveness.
For a more detailed discussion, you can listen to the full interview [here]
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