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6 Jul 2012, 3.47PM

3 comments & replies |by REACH Administrator (Master) | Learn and Earn

Speaking at the 10th WorldSkills Singapore Competition at ITE College West on 5 July, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics have played key roles in the success of our education system and must remain our priority. Mr Tharman said the Government is investing heavily and upgrading these institutions - not just physically but 'in their capacity to nurture new and better skills, and the expertise that young Singaporeans need for the future'.

In his speech, Mr Tharman also emphasised the importance of training pathways to link pre-employment education and post-employment training.

Citing an example, he shared that students of precision engineering can attend a refresher course after national service, followed by on-the-job training. They can then take a master craftsman course to further develop their skills after gaining some job experience. Mr Tharman said the 'integrated pathway' of training will lead to better job prospects and wages, and keeps industries competitive by ensuring that workers have up-to-date skills. It also provides opportunities for workers 'to keep moving up through their own efforts'.

Separately, Minister of State (Manpower) Tan Chuan-Jin also announced a new and more inclusive adult learning model at the Institute of Adult Learning (IAL) on 5 July. The IAL is expected to benefit 20,000 professionals through a series of courses, workshops and seminars, with the aim of raising professional standards among them.

Mr Tan said that the working professionals can use the IAL's offerings 'to chart their career path - whether to scale up within a chosen expertise or to explore new horizons by taking on different roles'.

For more information, read the following:

Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Speech by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister of State for Manpower and National Development
The Straits Times - ITE, polys must remain priority: DPM
The Straits Times - IAL to offer courses for 20,000 CET professionals
The Straits Times - Institute to hone skills of adult educators

What are your views on this?

889 views | 3 comments & replies |

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Guest

6 Jul 2012, 4.34PM

Good initiative by government on integrated pathway for training for local ITE and polytechnic graduates.

However this has to be implemented with efforts to weed out foreign workers with bogus qualifications. It is Ok if we bring in real talents, however there are many fakes out there.

In a recent Channel News Asia documentary , it was reported that a fake degree cost US$17 in a nearby country whose workers are among those that swap the local job market.

With close to 2 million foreign workers and PRs in Singapore , I am surprised that ICA and MOM have not encountered many of such fake qualifications. At the work place many Singaporeans have encountered many foreign workers who are not knowledgeable or skilled in the job they are doing.

Don't waste the good efforts in the program for ITE and Poly students. It must be followed by efforts to close the loop hole in the uneven quality of education offered by foreign colleges.

Guest

6 Jul 2012, 8.36PM

When was the last time we heard of a high-productivity economy? Can someone refresh my memory? You are right that as long as they don't weed out fake foreign talent and increase the producitivity of foreign PMETs here, where is the high productivity? This sounds more as an excuse not to increase university participation rate of poly grads than a genuine concern for the economy.

Fat MaMa

Guest

22 Jul 2012, 3.01PM

Well rounded Education indeed

But when go to society, Poly and ITE graduates face a fierce competition, from foreigners .

The big issue , at the mercy of EMPLOYERS (INCLUDE HR, HIRING MANAGERS) giving out tiny paycheck to foreigners and expect SPOREAN graduates to follow.

Education is important to government,, work experience is important to company
so what important to you is stay clear of your mind, know what going on and love your family.

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