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A key concern for Singapore and a focus for current government policy is maintaining the lifelong employability and productivity of its workforce. An important element of this national policy agenda is the employability of the increasing portion of the workforce aged over 45 years (i.e. mature-age workers). The research project reported here aims to understand more about how best to assist mature-age workers maintain their employability across working life and what Singaporean workplaces and government agencies might do to maintain their employability. The project comprises three components: (1) an analysis of relevant literature; (2) conducting interviews with mature-age workers, some of whom are also employers; and (3) administering a survey to verify and extend ideas advanced in the literature review and interviews. From the findings, it is proposed that to sustain lifelong employability across Singapore's working population, government policies and community practice comprising the following are required: flexible [continuing education and training] CET provisions that articulate into high-level and highly regarded qualifications; workplaces fully utilising and further developing mature-age employees' capacities, including their contributions to others' learning; CET providers effectively engaging Singapore's growing mature-age population through flexible curriculum and pedagogic practices and by providing highly regarded certification; mature-age workers effectively directing their engagement in CET, and investing time and resources in sustaining their lifelong employability; a national charter to ensure workplaces, CETs and workers all fulfil their commitment for Singapore to excel as a community that values and supports lifelong employability; guidance and support to assist and advise mature-age workers, particularly women, in making appropriate CET choices, and in maintaining their sense of self as workers and learners; and clearly articulated education and qualification pathways across the tertiary and higher educational sectors.

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