By taking charge of his own learning, Mr Y.Y.
Ling, 26, has had his fair share of challenges.
The film-maker said more can be done to support
fledgling businesses and young people starting out in their
careers.
Mr Ling said when he first became interested in the
industry, the transition from graphic design to film-making was
costly and not accessible.
"Learning a new skill costs more than the $500
SkillsFuture budget we are allocated, and to support the transition
into new industries, there needs to be more extensive subsidies,
and the courses available should be more intensive," he said.
"Most of us turn instead to seeking knowledge online or
learning from our own experiences."
He said the process to access funds and support for
small start-ups is so time-consuming and complicated that it could
set such businesses back by months - time that they do not
have.
He said: "The processes are so complicated that there
are start-ups dedicated to help other start-ups navigate the
application for funding.Perhaps some money can go into working out
systems and infrastructure for start-ups to tap in to."
Mr Ling circumvented the issue by seeking ways to
independently fund his project - including the use of crowdfunding
- but he added that should there be more support, start-ups will
likely flourish even more.
Meanwhile, undergraduate Esther Yeoh, 21, is concerned
about the job hunt she faces when she graduates.
Last year, it was reported that fresh graduates have
been finding it harder to secure full-time employment in the last
few years.
Miss Yeoh, who is studying English literature and
European studies, hopes for more courses to help graduates bridge
the ever-widening skills gap they face when they enter the
workforce.
"The Government, with its SkillsFuture Credit, is doing
a good job, but I am thinking of courses that help people cross
that bridge from university to work, instead of just reaching out
to people who are already in the workforce," she said.
These courses could teach skills such as photo editing,
marketing, graphic design and communications in a way that is aimed
at young graduates, she said.
How will the Budget tackle issues such as
transport, technology and the environment?
"Greater regulatory oversight" may be needed in the
private-hire sphere, said Singapore University of Social Sciences
economist Walter Theseira.
"There may be only one ride-hailing platform that will
control virtually all ride-booking services and have unprecedented
control over prices, where rides are available and who can work as
a driver.
"It may not be necessary to regulate overnight, but the
tools should be in place to monitor the market," he said.
Dr Theseira added that Singapore might invest in
electric vehicles or autonomous vehicles, both of which will
require new infrastructure if they are to be adopted by the
masses.
Mr Benjamin Chiang, partner at Ernst & Young
Advisory, said there should be more initiatives to enhance
Singapore's digital literacy and mastery, with necessary systems in
place to "build and maintain digital trust".
There is also a need to "nurture a vibrant ecosystem of
private sector business for smart cities to thrive", he said, with
possible approaches including encouraging funding for targeted
innovative companies and enhancing the effectiveness of research
and development incentives.
Associate Professor Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, who is
the deputy head for Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering at the National University of Singapore, said 2018 will
be the year of climate action in Singapore.
He said: "I foresee allocation of more research and
development funds with a stronger commitment from the Government to
transitioning to a low-carbon economy."
This can be achieved by improving energy efficiency and
conservation, decarbonising electricity and fuels, and switching
end-users to low- carbon supplies.
He said deep cuts in carbon emissions are needed to
prevent adverse impact arising from climate change, and the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will have beneficial effects
on public health.
Mr Malcolm Chen is 72 years old, and his goal
is to keep the wheels of learning turning.
This positive attitude to lifelong learning has
translated into the retiree starting his own non-profit
organisation, known as Ageless Bicyclists.
Under this banner, he has been teaching children with
special needs to cycle.
However, he first had to learn to be a cycling coach,
as well as understand how to deal with children who are differently
abled.
"I think the Government can put more funds into
training courses such as SkillsFuture so that people like me can
constantly upgrade themselves," Mr Chen told The New Paper.
"The courses can be more specific as well - tailored to
people in certain age groups. I know there are courses for
mid-career professionals, and it would be nice to have some
targeting say, the pioneer generation. "
In terms of healthcare, Mr Chen is happy with what the
pioneer generation currently receives.
However, he hopes that more can be done in terms of
transport infrastructure, especially in areas with a higher
proportion of elderly residents.
"They should do away with the button that you have to
press to get the traffic lights to turn green. Instead, they can
just let the lights turn green at regular intervals.
"Sometimes, older people like me forget to press the
button and we stand there waiting for the lights to turn green," he
said.
Mr Chen also felt that the traffic light duration for
people to cross the road should be longer in areas where more
senior citizens live.
"Sometimes, the road can be so long and the duration of
the green light doesn't give me enough time to cross," he
added.
Currently, the elderly and people with disabilities can
get more time to cross the road, but they have to first tap their
cards on the card reader on the traffic light pole.
TNP