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More Work-Study Opportunities For Singaporeans

Date: 12 Jul 2019

Media Resource Type: Media Releases

School/Dept: Office of the President, School of Science and Technology

Singapore, 12 July 2019 – About 4,500 individuals and about 1,100 companies have benefitted from work-study programmes since the the first work-study programme, i.e. the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme (ELP), was launched in 2015. To allow more individuals and companies to benefit from such opportunities, the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) will expand their existing work-study programmes, and launch new work-study degree and post-graduate programmes.

  1. These developments were announced by Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung, at the Work-Learn Carnival held at Nanyang Polytechnic today.

Progress and Expansion of Work-Study Programmes

 

a) SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programmes


  1. As of June 2019, the total number of fresh polytechnic and ITE graduates who have benefitted from ELPs has grown from 150 in 2015 to about 4,200, of which 400 were placed in the ITE Work-Learn Technical Diploma Programme. The number of employers participating in the ELP has grown from 46 in 2015 to about 1,000. The number of ELPs has also increased from 15 across 12 sectors in 2015 to 123 across 34 sectors.
  1. As of June 2019, the total number of fresh polytechnic and ITE graduates who have benefitted from ELPs has grown from 150 in 2015 to about 4,200, of which 400 were placed in the ITE Work-Learn Technical Diploma Programme. The number of employers participating in the ELP has grown from 46 in 2015 to about 1,000. The number of ELPs has also increased from 15 across 12 sectors in 2015 to 123 across 34 sectors.
  1. The polytechnics and ITE will also be enhancing the on-the-job-training (OJT) component of the programme, by adopting rubrics developed by the National Centre for Workplace Learning (NACE) to certify new OJT blueprints from ELP participating companies. Please refer to Annex B for more information.

b) SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree Programme

  1. To-date, the SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree Programme (WSDP) has enrolled about 150 university students, with about 30 companies on-board the programme.
  1. To enable more university graduates to benefit from the programme, the Autonomous Universities (AUs) will expand the number of WSDPs from 16 to 22. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will offer six new WSDPs in areas such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Business Analytics. This is in addition to the 16 WSDPs currently offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

c) SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp

  1. Launched in 2018, the SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp will be expanded to include two new job roles – Engineer 4.0 and Customer Service Associate.
  1. The Engineer 4.0 job role will train participants in areas of demand such as Lean Manufacturing, Industrial Internet of Things, and Agile Project Management. Participants will have the opportunity to take on engineering jobs, including Industry 4.0 Research & Development, Digital Transformation Engineer and Performance Improvement Engineer, upon completion of the bootcamp. The programme will be delivered by Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic, and the first run will commence in Q4 2019.
  1. The Customer Service Associate job role will equip participants with skills such as adaptive communication, brand storytelling, and identifying customers’ needs. Participants will have the opportunity to take on jobs such as Customer Service Associate, Lounge Associate and Beauty Advisor. The programme will be delivered by ITE, and will commence in Q4 2019.
  1. Please refer to Annex C for more information on the two new job roles.

New Work-Study Programmes – Undergraduate Degree and Postgraduate by Research

 

  1. To further expand work-study opportunities, the IHLs will launch a new through-train work-study programme, leading from a full-time diploma to a WSDP. Students will have a seamless integrated pathway that allows for a longer and more effective workplace learning stint with the same employer. Companies can also benefit through a longer engagement with the trainees, and better plan for the deployment and progression of their trainees. With the integration of the diploma and degree course requirements, students participating in the programme may be able to obtain their degree up to 12 months faster.
  1. For a start, Temasek Polytechnic will introduce two programmes for the Building Services and Mechatronics sectors in collaboration with SUSS and SIT respectively in April 2020. More programmes will be launched progressively. Please refer to Annex D for more information on the new through-train work-study programme.
  1. SIT will also introduce new postgraduate work-study programmes in 2020. This includes an Industrial Doctorate Programme and an Industrial Master Programme. The Industrial Doctorate and Industrial Master programmes will strengthen the industry-academia interaction and build Singapore’s pipeline for industry-relevant professionals with deep technical knowledge and specialisation skills.
  1. Individuals in these programmes will spend time working on industry projects in their companies while completing postgraduate modules and complementary applied research work in SIT. These two programmes will be the SIT’s first Postgraduate by Research programmes.

For media queries on the media release: 

SkillsFuture Singapore 
Manager (Corporate & Marketing Communications)
Cherlyn Tan 
cherlyn_tan@ssg.gov.sg 


Assistant Director
(Corporate & Marketing Communications)
Yvonne Pang
yvonne_pang@ssg.gov.sg



For media queries on the Work-Learn Carnival: 

Nanyang Polytechnic
Deputy Manager (Communications & Outreach) 
Wong Cuiyan
wong_cuiyan@nyp.edu.sg

Assistant Director (Communications & Outreach)
Jayanthi Gopal
jayanthi_gopal@nyp.edu.sg

 

For media queries on the through-train work-study programme:

 

Temasek Polytechnic
Sasha Fong
sashaf@tp.edu.sg


Singapore Institute of Technology
Nur Atiqah Ali
Atiqah.Ali@singaporetech.edu.sg


Singapore University of Social Sciences
Valerie Ng 
valeriengww@suss.edu.sg


For media queries on SIT’s new post-graduate work-study programmes:

Singapore Institute of Technology
Jesmine Ong
Jesmine.Ong@SingaporeTech.edu.sg



About SkillsFuture Singapore

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) drives and coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement, promotes a culture of lifelong learning and strengthens the ecosystem of quality education and training in Singapore. Through a holistic system of national SkillsFuture initiatives, SSG enables Singaporeans to take charge of their learning journey in their pursuit of skills mastery. SSG also works with key stakeholders to ensure that students and adults have access to high quality and industry-relevant training that meet the demands of different sectors of the economy for an innovative and productive workforce. For more information, visit www.ssg.gov.sg.



Annex A

 

New SkillsFuture Earn And Learn Programmes For 2019

 

No.InstitutionSkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme
1Republic PolytechnicTP-SMU Specialist Diploma in Business Development in Technology
2Temasek PolytechnicTP-SMU Specialist Diploma in Business Innovations in Finance
3Republic PolytechnicELP leading to Part-time Diploma in Engineering (Vehicular Technology and Operations)
4Republic PolytechnicELP leading to Part-time Diploma in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics)
5Republic PolytechnicELP leading to Part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Urban Agricultural Technology)
6Republic PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in Sport Science and Wellness 
7Republic PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in Aviation Management and Services
8Ngee Ann PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in Community Optometry
9Temasek PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in Corporate Secretarial Practice
10Institute of Chartered ShipbrokersELP in Ship Owning, Operating and Broking
11SIM Global EducationSpecialist Diploma in Aviation Management
12Republic PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in User Experience for Info-comm Technology
13Nanyang PolytechnicWSQ Specialist Diploma in Precision Engineering (Additive Manufacturing)
14Nanyang PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in Digital Manufacturing
15Nanyang PolytechnicSpecialist Diploma in Robotics and Automation System Design

 

Annex B

 

Enhancements To The On-The-Job-Training Component Of The SkillsFuture Earn And Learn Programme 

 

The five polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Work-Learn Carnival today to enhance the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme (ELP) on-the-job-training (OJT) component. 

  1. With the establishment of the National Centre for Workplace Learning (NACE) in 2018, polytechnics and ITE will be able to tap on NACE’s expertise to enhance the ELP OJT component by adopting the rubrics developed by NACE to certify new OJT blueprints from ELP participating companies. The rubrics were adapted from global Best-in-Class systems from countries like Germany and Switzerland. NACE will also conduct workshops to train all key staff and programme managers across the polytechnics and ITE to facilitate the adoption of the new rubrics.
  1. This common rubric will enable the OJT frameworks to be applied consistently across various industries and job roles. It will also help companies to better implement sustainable workplace learning in the following areas:
    • knowledge management
    • capability development (training)
    • staff retention
    • succession planning

Annex C

New SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp Job Roles – Engineer 4.0 And Customer Service Associate

 

About SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp

The SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp is a work-study programme for fresh graduates and mid-career individuals that will equip them with the relevant mind-set, and job-role specific behavioural and technical skills for sectors with acute demand. It is a three-year pilot programme, developed in partnership between SkillsFuture Singapore, the five polytechnics, Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and Generation1.

 

About SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp – Engineer 4.0

  1. The Engineer 4.0 job role is the second SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp job role to be launched. Participants in the programme will undergo an 8-week bootcamp delivered by Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic. The programme is designed to integrate real-life industry scenarios into hands-on projects, and will include role play, case-studies and simulations. It will train participants in areas of demand such as Lean Manufacturing, Industrial Internet of Things, and Agile Project Management, and equip participants with the relevant behavioural skills needed for the engineering sector. These skills include adaptability, teamwork and cross-functional communication. Upon completion of the bootcamp, participants will have the opportunity to interview for new engineering jobs such as Industry 4.0 R&D, Digital Transformation Engineer and Performance Improvement Engineer.

  1. The programme is open to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents aged 18 years old and above, with an engineering diploma or degree, and who are willing to take a full-time job upon completion of the programme.


About SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp – Customer Service Associate

  1. The third job role to be launched under the SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp, the Customer Service Associate job role will involve a 6-week full-time bootcamp delivered by ITE. The programme is designed to immerse participants in real-work case studies and simulations. It will train participants in key skills areas such as adaptive communications, brand storytelling, and identifying customer's needs, together with the relevant mind-set and behavioural skills needed for customer service. Upon completion of the bootcamp, participants will have the opportunity to interview for customer service related jobs including Customer Service Associate, Lounge Associate and Beauty Advisor.

  1. The programme is open to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents aged 18 years old and above, with Nitec or Higher Nitec qualifications from ITE, and who are willing to take a full-time job upon completion of the programme.

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Annex D

Temasek Polytechnic in Tie-Up with Singapore University of Social Sciences and the Singapore Institute of Technology on First-of-its-Kind, Through-Train Work-Study Programme

 

Temasek Polytechnic (TP), in collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), will launch a through-train work-study programme leading from a full-time diploma straight to a degree. The new integrated SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree pathway will allow polytechnic students to obtain their diploma and degree in an overall shorter timeframe.  This is achieved by including university modules in the students’ polytechnic Year 3 curricula, as well as streamlining modules in both the diploma and degree programmes.

  1. This pathway will also allow companies in the Building Service and Mechatronics sectors to better manage their manpower pipeline and identify talents from the polytechnics earlier, as students will be on internships with the companies during Year 3 of their diploma studies, before embarking on a work-study arrangement during their degree/undergraduate phase. The longer period of engagement between students and their sponsoring company will also allow both parties to build on each other’s strengths and expectations, and better realise their business objectives and career aspirations.

Benefits to Students
  • Opportunity to simultaneously develop deep skill sets and realise upgrading aspirations.
  • Provides employment and wage benefits when students progress to become full-time employees while pursuing their degree. 
  • Accelerated progression due to integrated on-the-job training, taking university modules in their polytechnic Year 3, with mapping of curriculum between polytechnic and university modules.
  • Smoother transition from diploma to degree.

 

Benefits to Participating Companies
  • Longer-term engagement with their candidates - from the time they are in Year 3 of their polytechnic studies, to the completion of their degree programme. 
  • Opportunity to identify, train and develop talents early, to meet company’s manpower needs.
  • Helps companies achieve scalability, improve business efficiencies and undertake new projects, by establishing a stable talent pipeline.

 

Student Recruitment and Programme Mechanics
  1. Under this new through-train pathway, polytechnics and participating Autonomous Universities (AUs) will conduct their recruitment drive for Polytechnic candidates in Year 2, Semester 1 of their diploma programme. Concurrently, the polytechnics and AUs will reach out to companies to come onboard this new pathway. Joint academic and industry interviews will then be conducted to select suitable candidates and companies.
  1. In Year 3 of their polytechnic course, successful students will:

    - Undergo a Structured Internship Programme (SIP) with their sponsoring companies;
    - Continue to fulfil their polytechnic Year 3 modular requirements;
    -Undertake three or more university modules that are mapped to their course of study in their current diploma course, before or after their SIP semester;
    - Graduate with a diploma from Temasek Polytechnic and then move on to the work-study arrangement with either SIT or SUSS to continue with their degree programme.
  1. Male citizens who are NS-eligible will proceed to serve their National Service (NS) after completing their diploma programme, and re-join this pathway after completing their NS obligations.
  1. In the first phase of the implementation, TP will be piloting programmes with SIT and SUSS in the following domains:

 

 

DomainDegreeTP’s Feeder Diploma(s)Targeted Intake for Pilot
MechatronicsSIT - Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing EngineeringDiploma in Mechatronics20
Building ServicesSUSS - Bachelor of Science in Facilities Events Management (Part-Time)Diploma in Integrated Facility Management

Diploma in Green Building & Sustainability
20

 

Commitment of Sponsoring Companies
  • On-board the candidates as interns during the polytechnic’s SIP phase;
  • On-board the candidates as full-time employees during their undergraduate phase;
  • Provide time-off for candidates during the degree duration to undergo work-study; and
  • Option to sponsor the course fees of candidates starting from their polytechnic Year 3 and throughout their degree programme.

 

Generic Framework of Pathway

 

media release_annex d_16July2019

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