To develop the capabilities of the water industry workforce, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), national water agency PUB, and the Singapore Water Association (SWA) have collaborated on a new training programme - the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Used Water Treatment Technician Programme - for the water industry.
This collaboration is part of efforts to align PUB's Water Management Certification Programme to the WSQ training system.
This is aimed at raising the water industry's competency standards whilst benchmarking it against international best practices.
The Water Management Certification Programme comprises a series of training programmes that focus on technical skills and capabilities to manage the various aspects of the water cycle.
Up to 200 operator and technical-level workers in the water industry are set to benefit from WSQ training for the water industry over the next two years.
To date, close to S$1 million has been set aside to enhance the manpower capabilities of the water industry.
- Channel News Asia
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Jun 24, 2011
10,000 to get skills upgrading by WDA
Some 10,000 port industry employees will stand to benefit from training and skills upgrading under the first Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) collaboration among industry players.
This was made possible by an agreement signed on Friday by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), PSA Corporation and Jurong Port.
The WDA said the framework will provide nationally-recognised and structured training and certification for port employees.
It will start with mobile equipment operators and lashing specialists whose job includes securing containers on vessels using lashing equipment.
Previously, industry employees took stand-alone courses accredited by parties such as the Ministry of Manpower and Institute of Technical Education.
Wong Hong Kuan, the Chief Executive of WDA said: "If they upgrade themselves and take on greater job responsibilities as their skill sets allow them to, and with the WSQ Framework, they can look at much better pay prospects and growth prospects as well."
The WDA said the industry has good job prospects and expects to create another 5,000 jobs in the next three years.
The agency has already committed some S$8 million to train about 10,000 workers over the next three years.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say commented:"Education background is just the starting point in our lives but it should not be the factor to determine our ending point in our lives.
Because along the way, we'll pick up new skills, new competencies, and develop a new attitude. So the WSQ system is skill-based, competency based."
- Channel News Asia
This was made possible by an agreement signed on Friday by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), PSA Corporation and Jurong Port.
The WDA said the framework will provide nationally-recognised and structured training and certification for port employees.
It will start with mobile equipment operators and lashing specialists whose job includes securing containers on vessels using lashing equipment.
Previously, industry employees took stand-alone courses accredited by parties such as the Ministry of Manpower and Institute of Technical Education.
Wong Hong Kuan, the Chief Executive of WDA said: "If they upgrade themselves and take on greater job responsibilities as their skill sets allow them to, and with the WSQ Framework, they can look at much better pay prospects and growth prospects as well."
The WDA said the industry has good job prospects and expects to create another 5,000 jobs in the next three years.
The agency has already committed some S$8 million to train about 10,000 workers over the next three years.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say commented:"Education background is just the starting point in our lives but it should not be the factor to determine our ending point in our lives.
Because along the way, we'll pick up new skills, new competencies, and develop a new attitude. So the WSQ system is skill-based, competency based."
- Channel News Asia
Oct 8, 2010
New training, job-placement programmes
FOUR new training and job-placement programmes will be launched next year to attract younger Singaporeans into the electronics industry.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is partnering the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in the tie-ups.
They were announced by NTUC's deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob at a visit to smartcard maker Gemalto's plant in Ayer Rajah on Friday.
She said the initiatives will also equip workers to take up higher-value jobs in the electronics sector as Singapore's economy becomes more knowledge-intensive.
The four programmes are:
* A six-week specialist training programme to equip those completing full-time national service stints for technician jobs in the industry. It will be conducted by ITE and the NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute, or e2i.
* A36-month apprenticeship programme for job-seekers to work at sponsor companies and study the National ITE Certificate (Nitec) in electronics or mechatronics at the same time.
* A new two-year Nitec semiconductor technology course to be launched at ITE College Central from January, with an initial annual intake of 160 students.
*A three-month industrial attachment programme for ITE students studying electronics and mechatronics.
- The Straits Times
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is partnering the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in the tie-ups.
They were announced by NTUC's deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob at a visit to smartcard maker Gemalto's plant in Ayer Rajah on Friday.
She said the initiatives will also equip workers to take up higher-value jobs in the electronics sector as Singapore's economy becomes more knowledge-intensive.
The four programmes are:
* A six-week specialist training programme to equip those completing full-time national service stints for technician jobs in the industry. It will be conducted by ITE and the NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute, or e2i.
* A36-month apprenticeship programme for job-seekers to work at sponsor companies and study the National ITE Certificate (Nitec) in electronics or mechatronics at the same time.
* A new two-year Nitec semiconductor technology course to be launched at ITE College Central from January, with an initial annual intake of 160 students.
*A three-month industrial attachment programme for ITE students studying electronics and mechatronics.
- The Straits Times
Jul 20, 2009
Workers training effective in reducing retrenchments
Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said government measures to help companies manage excess staff have been effective in reducing Singapore's retrenchment numbers and the unemployment rate.
Mr Gan told Parliament on Monday that the SPUR-JOBS scheme saw 50 companies committed to hiring 1,200 local workers in various industries so far. The scheme, announced in May, encourages the recruitment and retention of trainees.
And as of end-May, the Professional Skills Programme (PSP) - which helps professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETS) and fresh graduates enhance their skills and employment prospects - saw about 36,000 trained or committed to training.
Mr Gan said some companies are currently hiring, but cautioned against premature optimism.
He said: "It is important for us to continue to be vigilant, to continue to work hard to create jobs, so that they (workers) are more employable. So that when job opportunities are created, workers are ready to take on these opportunities.
"The outlook remains uncertain particularly in the third quarter, and the next quarter. Whether the companies' hiring will sustain will depend a lot on their order books for the next two quarters. Some companies are hiring, but it is not broad-based.
"When I talked to the companies anecdotally, most of them were unable to see beyond the third or fourth quarter. So it is important for us to continue to press on the various measures to upgrade the workers in their skills and employability."
- Channel News Asia
Mr Gan told Parliament on Monday that the SPUR-JOBS scheme saw 50 companies committed to hiring 1,200 local workers in various industries so far. The scheme, announced in May, encourages the recruitment and retention of trainees.
And as of end-May, the Professional Skills Programme (PSP) - which helps professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETS) and fresh graduates enhance their skills and employment prospects - saw about 36,000 trained or committed to training.
Mr Gan said some companies are currently hiring, but cautioned against premature optimism.
He said: "It is important for us to continue to be vigilant, to continue to work hard to create jobs, so that they (workers) are more employable. So that when job opportunities are created, workers are ready to take on these opportunities.
"The outlook remains uncertain particularly in the third quarter, and the next quarter. Whether the companies' hiring will sustain will depend a lot on their order books for the next two quarters. Some companies are hiring, but it is not broad-based.
"When I talked to the companies anecdotally, most of them were unable to see beyond the third or fourth quarter. So it is important for us to continue to press on the various measures to upgrade the workers in their skills and employability."
- Channel News Asia
Jul 13, 2009
Over 3,000 teachers hired
THE Ministry of Education has recruited more than 3,000 teachers and 680 allied educators by June - exceeding the targets that it had earlier set.
Although the ministry has stepped up hiring this year, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen assured that it will continue to be rigorous in the selection of teachers and allied educators, ensuring that only those with the passion, aptitude and commitment are selected.
Going forward, he said MOE will continue to recruit good teachers for the service and also continually develop the existing pool of teachers to keep them abreast of the latest innovations in education practices and concepts, and help them lift their professional excellence.
Speaking at a National Insitute of Education (NIE) teachers' investiture ceremony on Monday, Dr Ng also announced that MOE is offering postgraduate scholarships to 51 Education Officers to pursue their Master's degree or PhD at local and overseas universities.
In his speech, the minister said Singapore teachers are well regarded internationally and its education system has been held up as a model of succcess by other countries, inlcuding the UK and United States.
Turning to the recommendations by the Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) committee, which include recruiting all graduate teachers by 2015, Dr Ng said these will have profound impact on primary school education.
'The key to making all these happen will be our teachers. Our education system will need quality educators to lead and effect changes in an evolving environment,' he said.
On teacher training, he said the continuing challenge for NIE is to strengthen the nexus between theory and practice, and urged the institute to find more effective ways to provide practical learning experiences for student teachers.
'It should strengthen the role of mentorship provided during the practicum and induction periods,' added Dr Ng.
'NIE will need to review and enhance the pedagogical methods and assessment that are aligned with our desired outcomes of education and to train new teachers to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and values for the 21st century classrooms.'
- The Straits Times
Although the ministry has stepped up hiring this year, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen assured that it will continue to be rigorous in the selection of teachers and allied educators, ensuring that only those with the passion, aptitude and commitment are selected.
Going forward, he said MOE will continue to recruit good teachers for the service and also continually develop the existing pool of teachers to keep them abreast of the latest innovations in education practices and concepts, and help them lift their professional excellence.
Speaking at a National Insitute of Education (NIE) teachers' investiture ceremony on Monday, Dr Ng also announced that MOE is offering postgraduate scholarships to 51 Education Officers to pursue their Master's degree or PhD at local and overseas universities.
In his speech, the minister said Singapore teachers are well regarded internationally and its education system has been held up as a model of succcess by other countries, inlcuding the UK and United States.
Turning to the recommendations by the Primary Education Review and Implementation (PERI) committee, which include recruiting all graduate teachers by 2015, Dr Ng said these will have profound impact on primary school education.
'The key to making all these happen will be our teachers. Our education system will need quality educators to lead and effect changes in an evolving environment,' he said.
On teacher training, he said the continuing challenge for NIE is to strengthen the nexus between theory and practice, and urged the institute to find more effective ways to provide practical learning experiences for student teachers.
'It should strengthen the role of mentorship provided during the practicum and induction periods,' added Dr Ng.
'NIE will need to review and enhance the pedagogical methods and assessment that are aligned with our desired outcomes of education and to train new teachers to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and values for the 21st century classrooms.'
- The Straits Times
Jan 10, 2009
Government plans to launch more programmes to train professionals for a mid-career switch
MORE professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) are expected to be adversely affected in this recession than during previous recessions, Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Saturday.
This is why the Government is rolling out more training programmes to target this group, he said.id.
Among them are the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP), which will help to train and place mid-career professionals in jobs in growing sectors that are hiring staff.
Mr Gan launched one such programme on Saturday.
The PCP for tourism will allow workers to pursue qualifications in that sector. The year-long programme will feature both theory and practical classes and include internships with tourism outlets in Sentosa.
Trainees will also get a stipend.
Mr Gan said that over the last month, four PCPs in pre-school education, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health care and workplace safety and health have been developed.
Three other programmes in other industries are currently in place and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) plans to roll out about 15 more such programmes this year.
Other measures to help PMETs include increasing the frequency of workshops which will share tips, knowledge and skills in job search and career transitions.
WDA and community development council career centres which provide services such as career-personality profiling and job referrals are also beefing up their resources.
The fate of PMETs has worried many.
As of the third quarter of last year, 2,248 of this group of workers were retrenched, according to the Ministry of Manpower.
Last Tuesday, in a letter to The Straits Times Forum page, a reader called for more to be done to help them. He suggested providing them access to programmes like support group activities and job counselling.
In a reply to the letter, National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Josephine Teo pointed out that the recent expansion of funding from 150 to 800 courses for the Skills Programme for Upgrading Resilience (Spur) would encourage companies to train PMETs to do their jobs better and help employers cut cost and save jobs.
Mr Gan said yesterday that it was important to tailor PCPs to fit the needs of this group and to respond to market demand for them.
'PMETs are slightly different from rank and file,' he said.
'The more important thing is to make sure that the training is relevant to the industry needs because if we roll out many programmes just to meet the numbers, and the training is not relevant, after the training, they will still have difficulties finding jobs.'
He added that some PMETs might have to accept an adjustment in salary or position.
'I will encourage them to keep an open mind, to be realistic in their expectations, to be flexible, try something new. And even if it starts a little bit lower, it doesn't matter. Continue to work hard. Opportunities will be there for them to move upwards.'
- The Straits Times
This is why the Government is rolling out more training programmes to target this group, he said.id.
Among them are the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP), which will help to train and place mid-career professionals in jobs in growing sectors that are hiring staff.
Mr Gan launched one such programme on Saturday.
The PCP for tourism will allow workers to pursue qualifications in that sector. The year-long programme will feature both theory and practical classes and include internships with tourism outlets in Sentosa.
Trainees will also get a stipend.
Mr Gan said that over the last month, four PCPs in pre-school education, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health care and workplace safety and health have been developed.
Three other programmes in other industries are currently in place and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) plans to roll out about 15 more such programmes this year.
Other measures to help PMETs include increasing the frequency of workshops which will share tips, knowledge and skills in job search and career transitions.
WDA and community development council career centres which provide services such as career-personality profiling and job referrals are also beefing up their resources.
The fate of PMETs has worried many.
As of the third quarter of last year, 2,248 of this group of workers were retrenched, according to the Ministry of Manpower.
Last Tuesday, in a letter to The Straits Times Forum page, a reader called for more to be done to help them. He suggested providing them access to programmes like support group activities and job counselling.
In a reply to the letter, National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Josephine Teo pointed out that the recent expansion of funding from 150 to 800 courses for the Skills Programme for Upgrading Resilience (Spur) would encourage companies to train PMETs to do their jobs better and help employers cut cost and save jobs.
Mr Gan said yesterday that it was important to tailor PCPs to fit the needs of this group and to respond to market demand for them.
'PMETs are slightly different from rank and file,' he said.
'The more important thing is to make sure that the training is relevant to the industry needs because if we roll out many programmes just to meet the numbers, and the training is not relevant, after the training, they will still have difficulties finding jobs.'
He added that some PMETs might have to accept an adjustment in salary or position.
'I will encourage them to keep an open mind, to be realistic in their expectations, to be flexible, try something new. And even if it starts a little bit lower, it doesn't matter. Continue to work hard. Opportunities will be there for them to move upwards.'
- The Straits Times
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