Published Date: 11 August 2022 11:00 AM
News Speeches
Mr Peter Lam, CEO, Temasek Polytechnic
Principals/CEOs of the Polytechnics
Mr Tan Kok Yam, Chief Executive, SkillsFuture Singapore
Industry Partners
Students
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. Good morning. I am pleased to join you at the SkillsFuture Work-Study Fair, held in conjunction with the SkillsFuture Festival 2022. I had also attended last year’s event, where I gave a speech virtually – so it is really good to be here today to see everyone in person.
2. The SkillsFuture Festival this year has seen very encouraging responses. Since it was launched on 5 July, the festival is on track to attract more than 200,000 individual and enterprise participants over 130 learning events held islandwide. I am glad to see many fellow Singaporeans curious to learn more about upskilling opportunities, a reflection of the momentum that the SkillsFuture Movement has gathered over the years.
3. The SkillsFuture Work-Study Fair is a key event of the SkillsFuture Festival. We are here to celebrate the good progress of SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes made by the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and partner companies.
4. Let me take this opportunity to share with you the 4 ‘C’s that contributed to this progress.
5. The first ‘C’ is Capacity.
6. Our Work-Study Programmes are designed to intersperse classroom learning and on-the-job training, to allow students to deepen their skills and knowledge as they continuously apply what they have learnt in school to the workplace. This draws inspiration from Germany’s apprenticeship-based system that combines vocational training in school with apprenticeships in a company. Through this pathway, students can earn a salary or receive tuition-fee sponsorship from companies and at the same time, acquire working experience while studying.
7. First launched in 2015 and rebranded in 2019 as SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes, we have ramped up programme Capacity significantly.
8. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our efforts. Given the uncertain business outlook, employers were more cautious in hiring fresh graduates. With the post-COVID recovery underway, and as IHLs pressed on with efforts to grow work-study opportunities, we have seen a dramatic increase in take-up and placement rates.
9. In just the first six months of this year, about 1,200 students have been offered placements with companies, compared to 1,400 students in the whole of 2021!
10. I hope that we will continue to see strong demand for students and companies, which will support our ambition to make Work-Study Programmes a mainstream pathway in our education and training system.
11. In 2023, students can look forward to new Work-Study Programme offerings that are introduced to meet industry manpower demands.
12. The second ‘C’ is Careers.
13. The success of our SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes is ultimately defined by how students continue to seize opportunities and progress in their careers.
14. We regularly track the effectiveness and relevance of the work-study programmes. More than 95% of graduates were employed six months after completion of the programmes, and based on our latest survey findings, median salaries had also increased compared to what they received at the start of the programme.
15. Beyond these topline figures, let me share with you the stories of two individuals who have benefitted from the Work-Study Programmes.
16. Mr. Joshua Chen enrolled in Republic Polytechnic’s SkillsFuture Work-Study Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management with global logistic supplier Leschaco after graduation.
17. Another example is Mr Bryan Tee, who graduated from ITE with a Higher Nitec in Electronic Engineering.
18. These are powerful stories to encourage fresh graduates. I hope they will inspire you to achieve your aspirations.
19. The third ‘C’ is Companies. Close partnership with Companies is key to the success of Work-Study Programmes.
20. The last ‘C’ is Capabilities. To support companies in these efforts, we have been working with companies to strengthen their workplace training Capabilities.
21. Today, we will be giving out 12 appreciation awards to companies to recognise their strong support and contribution to the Work-Study Programmes.
22. One of the award recipients is Accenture, a company that has been very supportive in promoting the work-study culture.
23. Another example is Nebulas Tree, a local cybersecurity company that had supported the Work-Study Programme since its launch.
24. I would like to thank our IHLs for their continual efforts in expanding the Capacity of SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes and ensuring that they improve the Career prospects of students. I would also like to thank Companies for your support, and for building Capability to train students in the workplace. Without your efforts, we would not be able to provide this pathway for learners who prefer a more skills-based model of learning.
25. To students who are exploring the suitability of work-study programmes, I strongly encourage all of you to attend the webinar sessions and consider whether the work-study pathway can help you achieve your aspirations.
26. I would also like to encourage everyone to visit the learning activities at the SkillsFuture Festival before it ends. SSG had planned over 100 activities for this year’s Festival, with a few more coming up such as the SkillsFuture Festival X Smart Nation 2022, SkillsFuture Festival X Starbucks Learning Bar, and SkillsFuture Festival X Early Childhood Career & Learning Fair.
27. I wish everyone a rewarding experience at this year’s SkillsFuture Work-Study Fair and SkillsFuture Festival.
28. Thank you.
Last Updated: 11 Aug 2022