22

voices

today Friday 2 November 2012

All bus departure times to be shown at every interchange soon

From HeleN lim Director, Media Relations & Public Education, Land Transport Authority

Bus drivers attitude shows us the right way

From taN HoNg booN

We refer to Mr Mak Seck Hongs letter Time for LTA to act on these omissions (Oct 27). Departure times for service 173 and services 167, 176 and 851 are not

displayed at Clementi and Bukit Merah interchanges, respectively, because the public transport operators have different IT systems. The Land Transport Authority is already working with both operators to have all bus departure times displayed at all interchanges soon. We thank Mr Mak for the feedback.

I was recently aboard service 76 and, at one of the bus stops, a wheelchair user was waiting. The driver politely asked a passenger, who was occupying the space meant for the handicapped, to move to the rear and opened the ramp for the wheelchair user, accompanied by a young man and woman, to board.

The driver waited for them to be comfortably settled before folding the ramp and getting the bus going. When they were alighting, the driver asked passengers to make way. The wheelchair user looked frail and at least in his 70s. It was heart-warming to see the drivers attitude, which serves to remind us how we should behave towards the infirm.

Adult learners have many options

From JoHN lim Director, Higher Education, Ministry of Education AnD SHirley taN Director, Corporate & Marketing Communications, Singapore Workforce Development Agency

WDAs CET centres and training providers cover a wide array of industryrelevant skills with their respective programmes.

We refer to the letters Admit students, regardless of age (Oct 22) by Ms Sandra Leonardi and Since we encourage lifelong learning, open the gates (Oct 29) by Mr Francis Tan. Although full-time diploma courses at the polytechnics cater mainly to O-level school leavers, adult learners are eligible to apply if they meet entry requirements for the course, subject to vacancies. Adult learners can also consider the polytechnics part-time diploma courses, which take into consideration work experience. Many of these part-time courses are better able to meet adult learners need for flexible, compact and contextualised learning. Alternatively, they may wish to explore the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) courses offered by the Workforce Development Agencys (WDA) Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres and other training providers. Based on standards endorsed by the various industries, WSQ enables workers to acquire skills employers need at the workplace. WSQ has clear progression pathways and is accessible to all working adults, who can use their WSQ achievements to continuously upgrade their skills and plan their career progression. WDAs CET centres and training providers cover a wide array of industry-relevant skills with their respective programmes. Besides the various grants available to companies to support staff training, individuals, including the unemployed and self-employed, can obtain subsidies from the WDA. More information can be found at www.wda.gov.sg We have contacted Ms Leonardi to advise her of her options. The Government is committed to strengthening our workforces employability and competitiveness, and supporting working adults who wish to pursue their interest and pick up skills.