Above image: Screenshot from Start-up Talent Factory website, a new ELP to be launched by Ngee Ann Polytechnic in April 2018/ Credit: Ngee Ann Polytechnic
SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) is working with the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and employers to launch seven new Earn and Learn Programmes (ELPs) to meet new manpower needs especially in emerging sectors.
SkillsFuture is a statutory body under the Ministry of Education which aims to facilitate continuous education and training, upgrading skills to keep up with the fast pace of technological advancements and increasing competition. The SkillsFuture ELPs introduced in 2015 enable fresh ITE (Institute of Technical Education) and polytechnic graduates will get placed with employers and learn through structured on-the-job training and institution based training. Employers can receive up to $15,000 to offset the cost of developing and providing the structured training.
There has been steady progress in the ELPs since the launch. The number of ELPs offered has increased three-fold to 62, while the number of sectors covered doubled to 28 sectors. To date, more than 1,200 Polytechnic and ITE graduates have benefited from the ELP.
New ELPs
Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP)
NP will launch a new ELP – Start-up Talent Factory (startuptalentfactory.sg) – in April 2018 to benefit companies in the tech start-up space. It aims to support the local entrepreneurship ecosystem by addressing the challenge of talent recruitment faced by many start-ups.
The unique ELP in entrepreneurship offers a flexible programme duration ranging from 9 to 12 months and it will be open to fresh polytechnic graduates from any discipline.
This programme will develop fresh graduates in three specialisations – digital marketing, business development and user experience design. 90 hours will be dedicated to skills sprints in these three areas, while 60 hours and 30 hours will be allocated for Startup Finance & Operations and a startup product development project respectively.
Funding of up to S$12,000 by SkillsFuture SG to support startups with talent development needs and salary subsidies. To encourage talents to put in their best effort, startups will provide a recommended monthly salary of S$2500 for a flexible duration of between 9 to 12 months.
Applications for the Start-up Talent Factory will begin in January 2018.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed at the ELP Carnival between NP, tech and startup school, AlphaCamp and online talent recruitment and career discovery platform, Glints, to facilitate the design and outreach of the programme.
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)
NYP will launch three new ELPs in the next few months in the Environmental Management, Food Manufacturing, and Tourism sectors, leading to Specialist Diploma in Environmental Management and Water Technology, Diploma in Applied Science (Food Technology) and Diploma in Business Practice (Hospitality and Tourism Management) respectively.
Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
SP launched an ELP in Applied Science for ITE graduates in August 2017, to professionalise technicians for the Energy and Chemicals sector. Participants will obtain a Part-Time Diploma in Applied Science (Chemical Laboratory Technology) by taking on two additional modular certificates.
ITE graduates can also opt for the Work-Learn Technical Diplomas offered by ITE that will commence in April 2018. The Work-Learn Technical Diplomas are available in the Marine & Offshore Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical Services Supervision, Security & Systems Engineering and Rehabilitation Care sectors.
Temasek Polytechnic (TP)
TP will offer two new ELPs – Robotics & Automation, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) – in early 2018.
The Specialist Diploma in Robotics & Automation aims to deepen, upgrade and equip graduates with the relevant skills in areas such as Robotics Systems, Robotics Integration and Adaption, and Automation Control and Interfacing to meet the industry demands.
The Specialist Diploma in IIOT enables participants to deepen their skills in IIOT, Engineering Analytics, Machine Learning, and Smart Sensors and Devices.
Dedicated ELP Portal
To support the growing number of signups and employers, SSG will set up an online portal to facilitate greater outreach, enhance engagement and improve jobs-matching efficiency of the ELP. Targeted to be launched in the first quarter of 2018, this portal acts as a one-stop online platform for students and graduates from polytechnics and ITE on the ELP.
Students can find more information on the ELP that they are interested in, and sign up for the jobs posted by participating employers. Employers will also be able to view applications, register their interest to participate in ELPs online, post job vacancies, and review online applications.
Recently, a one-stop portal was launched by SkillsFuture, MySkillsFuture.sg, offering resources for students in schools, tertiary students and people in the workforce. Each individual will have a personalised account for their learning and career plans, which can follow them through life.