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Finding Their Footing
in the Precision Engineering Industry

by Mohd Jailani Nathan

MORE ITE graduates of the Precision Engineering (PE) course are being lured back into Singapore’s PE industry with the help of a multi-agency collaboration framework, comprising the Economic Development Board (EDB), Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and ITE. Set up earlier in the year, the framework was established in response to a growing concern that PE graduates, in particular males, have not been exploiting career opportunities within the PE industry, to contribute to one of Singapore’s economic growth engines. ITE produces some 500 Precision Engineering graduates each year.

Feedback from employers and the PE graduates themselves indicated that the number of new PE technicians recruited into the industry had suffered a drop. A key reason was the gradual diminish of confidence after two years of National Service.

Agencies’ Commitment and a Company’s Assurance
Ms Elsie Ling, Human Resource Manager, Hamilton Sunstrand Pte Ltd, affirmed: “Getting suitable candidates to fill up the technician positions within the company, has become a pressing need, especially at a time when our company is looking into expanding our operations.” The new initiative involving the government bodies and statutory boards, added Elsie, would certainly assure companies of a regular supply of manpower for the industry.

Under the multi-agency collaboration framework, EDB will work with WDA and PE companies on information pertaining to manpower needs, jobs forecast and employment trends. MINDEF, SPF and SCDF will avail information on job opportunities to National Servicemen, who are about to complete their National Service, while ITE will process information to develop or customise relevant training programmes to suit companies’ needs.

Mr Aw York Bin, Deputy CEO (Industry), ITE, shared: “For the trial project, the agencies had identified Hamilton Sunstrand in view of its immediate staffing needs, and had analysed the companies’ training requirements. In the process, ITE came up with three new Post-Nitec courses. These courses were made known to the National Servicemen at Career Fairs, which we co-organised with companies.”

The Post-Nitec courses are Aerospace Machining (CNC Turning), Aerospace Machining (Machining Centre) and Co-ordinate Measuring Machine Measurement.

Post-Nitec Courses a Refreshing Welcome
For technicians Sanjeevan s/o Gopalakrishnan and Juliesa Jufri, both 21, the Post-Nitec courses had expedited their decision-making for a career in PE. Said Sanjeevan, who was recruited by Hamilton Sunstrand in January this year: “I lost touch with Precision Engineering during the two years of National Service. While some of my friends gave up PE for other industries, I was just too glad to be given a chance to refresh my knowledge in PE, while learning new components pertaining to the industry.”

Added Juliesa, who worked in a convenience store, prior to joining Hamilton Sunstrand: “If not for the Career Fair and the Post-Nitec course, I would not have dared to seek job in PE, as I have lost confidence in my skills having worked so long at the store. I’m just grateful to be able to find my footing in the industry.”

Precision Engineering companies who wish to participate in such Career Fairs may contact Ms Low Sock Hwee at Low_Sock_Hwee@ite.edu.sg, or Mr Antonio Tan at Antonio_Tan@ite.edu.sg.