[I Am Talent]: The Skills Supply - The World of Education

We assimilate values, principles, beliefs and an identity of who we are and how we belong. Over the twelve years of school, we continue this learning process through schoolwork, teacher/learner dynamics, exam pressure, competitiveness, sporting and extra-mural events.

There is no doubt about the collective value and contribution that teachers and principals provide in preparing learners and students for life after school. Millions of learners are being taught, coached, developed and influenced on a daily basis to benefit societies and improve individuals' lives. The world of education is the supply pipeline of the future skills and talent that the job market requires across private, public and informal sectors.

But education is significantly more than teaching, learning and instruction. The word "education" has originated from a Latin term "Educere" which means "to lead forth" or "to come out". Both these meanings indicate that education should aim at nurturing the good qualities in individuals and drawing out the best in them.

Success in education is not just the retention of facts and information tested in exams. Education has a deeper and broader purpose aptly brought to life in many of Hollywood's blockbuster films including The Karate Kid, Dangerous Minds and Dead Poets Society which portray the positive influence of inspirational teachers!

The real value of education is empowering and enabling individuals through connecting with them, shaping values, encouraging critical thinking and developing inquisitive, independent minds that continuously search for excellence.

Never before has the need for REAL education been felt so deeply as in these challenging times. There is a significant skills gap that is not being addressed fast enough through educational institutions. In the wake of global recession, downsizing and resizing has led to reduced employment opportunities. We need people to make wise choices of what to learn so that their skills are in demand and relevant to business needs. We need people with an appetite for continuous learning and adapting skills to the changes in the world. In today's brave new world, the people who will succeed will be resilient, adaptable individuals with a "can do" attitude and entrepreneurial flair who will be able to cope and compete in the face of relentless change in their daily lives and future work.