ITE 06/18/01

 

Press Release No. 01/08

 

Information Embargoed
Until 1200 hrs on 16 January 2008

 

NEW FULL-TIME MARINE COURSE FOR GCE ‘O’ SCHOOL LEAVERS
Students to benefit from $500,000 worth of scholarships and sponsorships


            GCE ‘O’ school leavers who aspire to a career in the marine industry will now have more opportunities to do so, with the introduction of a new full-time Higher National ITE Certificate (Higher Nitec) in Marine Offshore Engineering course at ITE in April 2008.


2           To be announced by ITE’s Chairman, Mr Bob Tan, on Wednesday 16 January 2008, at a News Conference at Keppel FELS Limited, the new course will meet critical manpower needs in the industry. Mr Tan will make the announcement following the ITE Board of Governors’ visit to Keppel FELS.


Filling a Critical Need for Supervisors in the Marine Industry

3          The marine industry has seen meteoric growth in recent years. In 2006, the industry achieved a record output of over $12 billion, a 38 per cent growth over 2005. The Economic Development Board projected a continued high growth rate of more than 30% for 2007. Employment-wise, this has translated into an average increase of approximately 2,000 employees per year over the last 10 years.


4          Additionally, a manpower survey conducted by the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI) in October 2006 revealed that there is a demand for local supervisors (120 per year) in the marine industry over the next five years.


5          Students in the Higher Nitec in Marine Offshore Engineering course will undergo a broad-based engineering curriculum, in order for them to provide technical support and supervise fabrication, repair and refurbishment activities of all types of vessels and offshore structures. This would ensure the supply of well-trained foremen or assistant supervisors in the burgeoning marine sector.


Strong Industry Endorsement for Programme

6          Marking their strong support for the new course, major industry players such as Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, SembCorp Marine Ltd, and Singapore Technologies Marine (through ASMI), as well as the Republic of Singapore Navy, will be offering a total of 56 scholarships and sponsorships worth a total of $544,000 to students who have been accepted into the course.


7          Mr Michael Chia, President of the Association of Singapore Marine Industries, said: “The industry is expected to continue its good showing for the next few years, given the strong global market conditions . It is thus opportune to introduce the new Higher Nitec in Marine Offshore Engineering programme, which not only serves to hone the skills of workers but at the same time, enable companies to better deal with the challenges that lie ahead as the Singapore marine and offshore industry strengthens its position as a leading international marine and offshore hub.”


Invitation to the Media

8          Media members are cordially invited to cover the ITE Board of Governors’ Visit to Keppel FELS Limited and News Conference on 16 January 2008. The programme for the visit is at Annex A. More details on the Higher Nitec in Marine Offshore Engineeringcourse will be announced during the news conference.


9          Please confirm your attendance by Tuesday 15 January 2008 (12 noon) with Ms Joycelyn Seet, Head/Online Communications, at tel: 6772 0744, or email: Joycelyn_Seet@ite.edu.sg.

 

Released on: 14 January 2008

 

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, was established as a post-secondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and key developer of national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore's workforce competitiveness. Under its “One ITE System, Three Colleges” Model of Education and Governance, ITE has three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West.

 

 

Annex A

 

NEWS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE
NEW HIGHER NITEC IN MARINE OFFSHORE ENGINEERING COURSE
AND ITE BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ VISIT TO KEPPEL FELS LIMITED


WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY 2008


Programme

Time

Activity

Venue

1000 hours

Arrival at Keppel FELS Limited

50 Gul Road,
Singapore 629351

1015 hours

Corporate Presentation by
Keppel FELS

Question-and-Answer Session

Tour of Shipyard

Boardroom, Level 4

1130 hours

News Conference and Media Interviews

Boardroom, Level 4

1230 hours

Lunch

Cafeteria