Empowering lives through
Knowledge & Lifeskills Upgrading

SKILLS is a community-driven organisation focused on empowering individuals through structured learning, guided support, and real-world opportunities. Since our establishment in 2020, we have been helping individuals build confidence, gain practical skills, and move towards stable income and long-term independence.

Meet the leaders See our programmes

OUR STORY

Built from a recognition that training alone is not enough.

The problem was not a shortage of training opportunities. Across Singapore and Malaysia, there were courses, workshops, and national upskilling schemes. What was missing was something harder to build: a complete, guided journey that took a person from where they were — uncertain, under-resourced, often lacking confidence — and walked with them all the way to stable income or meaningful employment.

Most programmes teach a skill and then leave. The person finishes a course and still does not know how to get a job, how to run a business, or how to speak up in an interview room. They have knowledge but not direction. Competence but not confidence. Skills but not a path.

SKILLS was built to close that gap. Not by offering more courses but by building a structured ecosystem: foundational learning, personal coaching, industry exposure, confidence development, and employment or entrepreneurship pathways. All delivered at no cost to participants. All designed to go the full distance.

“We believe that everyone deserves a fair chance to learn and to earn
because a good education is the fastest way to change your life.”

Our mission

To empower individuals by delivering lifelong learning opportunities that cultivate essential skills, build genuine confidence, and enable meaningful economic participation.

Our vision

A world where every individual, regardless of socio-economic background, has the tools to unlock their potential through equitable, accessible lifelong learning.

Four principles that shape everything we do.

Dignity above all

Every participant is treated as a capable individual who needs the right opportunity — not as a recipient of charity. The language we use, the way we design our programmes, and the way our team shows up all reflect this. Dignity is non-negotiable.

Community as foundation

Progress built in isolation rarely lasts. SKILLS is designed around community, peer support, shared learning, and a network that stays with participants beyond the programme. We believe belonging is as powerful as any skill we can teach.

Transparency in all we do

We report honestly on what works, what doesn’t, and what we’re still building. Our sponsors, partners, and community deserve accurate information. We track outcomes, share results, and hold ourselves accountable to the commitments we make.

Continuity, not intervention

Meaningful change is not created by a one-off workshop. It requires structure, follow-through, and sustained support across an entire journey.

SKILLS is built for the long game — not quick completions, but lasting outcomes.

A complete journey — not a single intervention.

SKILLS does not provide one-off training. We walk with every participant through a structured end-to-end journey — from initial intake and readiness assessment, through foundational learning, into an employment or micro-business pathway, and onward into a community that sustains them after graduation. Each stage is deliberate. Each step is supported.

1. Structured intake and readiness assessment

Every participant is screened and classified — ensuring they’re placed at the right starting point and supported appropriately from day one.

Mindset, digital literacy, and financial literacy — delivered twice weekly over six months. The foundation everything else is built on.

Participants choose a direction that fits their goals. Both pathways are fully supported with coaching, resources, and active follow-up.

Real-world speaker sessions and internal confidence-building run in parallel with the core programme — so knowledge and confidence grow together.

SKILLS graduates don’t disappear into the world alone. They stay connected through a peer network that creates ongoing opportunities, referrals, and mutual support.

85%

programme completion rate

50–60%

transition to an
income pathway

40–50%

achieve income stability within 12 months

70%+

measurable confidence improvement

The people who built SKILLS and who show up for it every day.

SKILLS is led by a team whose commitment to community economic empowerment is not professional. It is personal. Each leader brings deep expertise from their respective fields, united by a shared belief that equitable access to lifelong learning changes lives.

Riduwan Suparman

President

About Riduwan

Ada Ahmad

Vice President Governance & Corporate Services

About Ada

Datin Sri Wardah

Vice President Partnerships & Ecosystem

About Wardah

Dr (Hon) Dee Duriati

Vice President Programmes & Outcomes

About Dee

Riduwan Suparman

Riduwan Suparman is an educator, and community advocate with over 20 years of leadership experience spanning Information Technology, Education, and Community Development. Throughout his career, he has led digital transformation initiatives, built high-performing teams, and championed lifelong learning as a pathway to personal and social advancement.

As President of SKILLS Singapore, Riduwan is committed to the organisation’s mission of empowering lives through knowledge and lifelong learning. He believes that access to education and skills development should not be determined by one’s circumstances, and that knowledge remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, improving employability, and creating sustainable opportunities for underprivileged individuals and families.

Beyond SKILLS Singapore, Riduwan is an active leadership practitioner who has contributed extensively to professional development, adult learning, and community leadership initiatives. He is passionate about helping individuals discover their potential and believes that meaningful change begins when people are empowered with the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to succeed.

His academic qualifications reflect his commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence:

– Doctorate of Education (Candidate), UCAM University, Spain
– Master of Education, Monash University, Australia
– Master of Business Information Technology, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
– Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education (DACE), Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

Guided by the belief that learning should never stop, Riduwan continues to champion education as a force for social mobility, economic resilience, and community transformation.

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ADA AHMAD

Ada Ahmad is a strategist, entrepreneur, and technology advocate with over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, business strategy, governance, operations, and organisational development. She has worked across the private, education, and non-profit sectors, helping organisations strengthen capabilities, improve performance, and achieve sustainable growth.

As the Founder of ADADigital Asia and Co-Founder of The Insurance Collective, Ada has led initiatives that drive innovation, operational excellence, and digital adoption. Her expertise in building systems, managing risk, and creating scalable solutions has earned her recognition as a trusted advisor and leader in business and community development.

As Vice President, Governance, Risk, Finance & Secretariat at SKILLS Singapore, Ada plays a key role in strengthening the organisation’s governance framework, financial stewardship, and operational sustainability. She is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and strong organisational foundations that enable SKILLS to deliver meaningful and lasting impact for the communities it serves.

Passionate about creating opportunities for growth and advancement, Ada believes that access to skills, mentorship, and support can transform lives. She champions initiatives that connect individuals to learning, employment, entrepreneurship, and community resources, helping them build resilience and achieve long-term success.

Through responsible leadership and a commitment to service, Ada continues to support efforts that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create sustainable pathways for future generations.

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Wardah Md salam

Wardah Mohamed Salam is an entrepreneur, educator, wellness practitioner, and community advocate with over 15 years of international experience across the Food & Beverage and Hospitality industry in Australia, Japan, Singapore, and New York. Her career reflects a strong commitment to personal growth, resilience, and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Drawing from her experience as a single mother raising a child with ADHD, Wardah transitioned into childcare and education during the COVID-19 pandemic, specialising in supporting children on the ADHD and autism spectrum while incorporating Montessori principles into early childhood development. Her work in education reinforced her belief in the transformative power of learning, support, and opportunity.

Wardah is also the Founder of Moxy Rosy Organic Spa, where she promotes holistic wellness and self-care as foundations for confidence, personal development, and overall well-being.

As Vice President, Partnerships & Ecosystems at SKILLS Singapore, Wardah leads efforts to build meaningful collaborations that connect individuals to education, mentorship, employment pathways, and community support. Having navigated career transitions and personal challenges throughout her own journey, she understands the barriers many face in achieving economic independence.

Wardah believes that while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. She remains committed to creating partnerships and opportunities that empower individuals and families to build brighter, more sustainable futures.

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Dee Deaty

Dr. Dee Deaty Duriati (h.c.) is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, educator, and community leader whose work reflects a lifelong passion for personal development, communication, and empowering others to reach their full potential. As the Founder of DbodynMind and creator of Maven Touch by Dr. Dee Duriati, she has dedicated her career to promoting holistic well-being, confidence, and lifelong learning. Her contributions to entrepreneurship and community development were recognised with the SMCCI Honorary Entrepreneur Award 2016.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Dee continued to champion education and skills development by serving as an Assessor at Allspice Culinary Institute and supporting the MSGA Singapore Hub through webinars, eBook initiatives, AI literacy programmes, and learning opportunities for seniors. Her commitment to accessible education reflects her belief that learning should remain a lifelong journey for people of all ages.

An active member of the Toastmasters community, Dr. Dee currently serves as Public Relations Manager for Division P (District 80) and Vice President Membership of Awesome Toastmasters Club. She also contributes to the entrepreneurial ecosystem as Vice President, Sponsorship for iKonSG Women Entrepreneurs and Executive Director of DSue.

As Vice President, Programmes & Outcomes at SKILLS Singapore, Dr. Dee is dedicated to developing impactful programmes that promote lifelong learning, leadership, communication excellence, healthy ageing, and community empowerment, helping individuals build the confidence and skills needed to create better futures.

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