Two new statutory boards — SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore — were created on Tuesday to drive the national SkillsFuture initiative.

Well technically, there is only one additional statutory board. The newly created Workforce Singapore is a "lite" version of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), and it continues to be housed under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

To prevent propagation of the idea that the government is getting bigger, the joint statement by MOM and the Ministry of Education (MOE) is quick to point out that the changes "involve a reorganisation within Government rather than increase the overall number of statutory boards".

Anyway, here are four reasons why the newly created stat board is hitting all the right notes:

1. SkillsFuture Singapore being under MOE sends the right signal to Singaporeans.

One scheme that Singaporeans are anticipating is the SkillsFuture Credit scheme and the opportunity to spend it — those of us aged 25 and older will receive $500 to enrol in courses to upgrade their skills from this year onward.

Housing the SkillsFuture initiative under MOM seems to imply to Singaporeans that Singaporeans need to undertake courses in order to "upgrade" and to further their careers.

Parking it under MOE, however, will have the potential to foster a culture of lifelong learning among Singaporeans. The best case scenario is a mindset change among Singaporeans toward continuing education through life.

2. SkillsFuture Singapore will be less confusing to internal stakeholders. 

MOE, MOM and the WDA replied to The Straits Times' queries last month on the coordination of SkillsFuture programmes, adding that various initiatives "are divided between various agencies and organisations".

This is problematic because WDA had to report to both MOM and MOE, depending on the programme it ran.

Hence, the revamp will streamline the implementation of SkillsFuture under one body in MOE, according to an unnamed source in The Straits Times.

3. Singaporeans will take more ownership in their learning under the new arrangement.

After graduating from tertiary institutions, every Singaporean thinks that they have seen the back of MOE — no more exams, no more rankings, no more Brands chicken essence!

The unfortunate thing is that some of us stop acquiring more knowledge and honing their craft as they are too preoccupied with work.

With SkillsFuture properly parked under MOE, Singaporeans will hopefully be motivated to take ownership of their own learning, and not assume that their employers get to decide what one needs to learn.

In fact, this move could lead a "cradle to grave" approach to how the government funds learning, supporting Singaporeans through the three main schemes now available: Edusave (7-16 years old), Post Secondary Education (17-20 years old) to SkillsFuture (25 years and above). 

4. Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung is probably the best man for the job.