After a nation-wide search for Singapore’s lifelong learners and companies which encourage lifelong learning, 16 inspiring individuals and six companies have been chosen as role models for continual learning or promoting constant skills upgrading. The winners received their awards from His Excellency President S R Nathan at an award presentation ceremony on 28 November 2005 (Monday) at Shangri-La Hotel.

Now in its fourth year, this year’s Lifelong Learner Awards, organised by MediaCorp Radio in partnership with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), saw the introduction of the new Corporate Category. The aim is to recognise the critical role that employers play in creating a lifelong learning culture. Adopting a “ground-up” approach, the companies are nominated by employees who feel that they have benefited from the support their company has given them in their learning journey.

The Awards also celebrate the successes, achievements and contributions of the individual learners who have gone the extra mile to pick up new skills to adapt to the changing employment landscape. From the youngest Lifelong Learner Award winner at 29 years old to the oldest winner at 74 years old, these year’s winners also include a visually handicapped educator cum freelance accounts and IT consultant, healthcare workers, educators, service, security and technical staff, entrepreneurs, or simply workers who have made bold career switches. The learning journeys of each Individual Category winner demonstrate the multitude of possibilities to skill up to remain employable, as well as the grit and determination of each individual to succeed.

Chairperson of the Award judging panel, Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower, said, “The Lifelong Learner Awards is a worthy initiative to showcase Singaporeans who have gone the extra mile in their learning journeys. We celebrate such individuals, so that they will inspire others to take a similar path. The Awards have added meaning this year, as we should not forget the employer behind each worker. Our Corporate Category Awards give due recognition to the critical role that employers play in promoting a lifelong learning and pro-training culture at work.”

MediaCorp Radio congratulates all deserving winners of the Lifelong Learner Awards 2005.