Relevant Industry Profile & Prospects

CHEMICALS & BIOMEDICAL

Singapore continues to rank among the world's top three oil trading locations and is recognised as a global leader in oil refining. Singapore remains unwavering in its focus on relevant infrastructure, technology and a total-solutions approach - integrating innovation, manufacturing, regional distribution, marketing and other services. Singapore offers a cost-competitive and synergistic environment for some of the world's leading petroleum, petrochemicals and speciality chemicals giants, including ExxonMobil, Shell and Sumitomo Chemical. A dedicated and vertically integrated chemicals complex on Jurong Island currently plays host to world-scale oil and chemical plants.
Singapore is one of Asia’s fastest growing bioclusters and has firmly established itself as a leading manufacturing hub in Asia with its strong track record, sophisticated infrastructure, superior IP protection and reliability. Since the start of its focused effort to develop the biomedical sciences industry in the year 2000, Singapore has attracted many top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies which include Applied Biosystems, Aventis, Baxter, BD (Becton Dickinson), CIBA Vision, Fischer Scientific, GlaxoSmithKline, Japan Medical Supply, Kaneka, Leica, Merck & Co., Novartis, 1800-Contacts, Perkin Elmer, Pfizer, Schering-Plough, Siemens Medical Instruments and Wyeth to set up commercial-scale manufacturing facilities. Singapore is now host to top companies whose facilities are validated by regulatory authorities from the US and Europe and produces for the global market.

Sources: Extracted from publications from Ministry of Manpower and EDB, Singapore 

FOOD MANUFACTURING

The emergence of a more sophisticated and well educated consumer provides new challenges for the development of new food products.  Quality, safety, health benefits and nutritional value are but a few of the many factors which need to be taken into consideration from the point of view of the consumer. The food manufacturing sector has become a multidisciplinary field that requires the application of innovations in science and technology, and business and marketing.  New products need to be appealing to the consumer from many points of view:  using all 5 senses, nutritional and lifestyle benefits and value for money. This creates even more opportunities for research and innovation strategies for the development of food industry.

Three key areas of development have been identified, setting the future directions for the food industry.

Innovation in Products, Processes and Design - New manufacturing processes and technologies to allow companies to improve their productivity as well as manufacture products that are of higher value and better qualities like longer shelf lives, ready-to-eat food etc.
Quality and Food Safety - Continual effort by food companies to upkeep the high standards in quality and food safety, especially in this current time of increasing global concern on food safety.
Branding - The limited domestic size of the local market is the main impetus for Singapore food companies to be export-oriented. Hence there is a strong need to build a strong brand for the Singapore food products to allow for product differentiation and distinction in the global market.

A direct manifestation of the 3 areas of development would be the endless launch of food products with elevated value and appeal in the following areas: aesthetically attractive, good sensorial experience, nutritionally-packed and safe for consumption. Increasingly, new products need to be aligned to new trends in lifestyles, branding, aesthetics, sensory perception, nutritional value and safety.

A continual supply of a highly skilled and innovative workforce is required to drive the growth of the evolving food industry. As a graduate of this course, you will be contributing to support Singapore’s role as a vital regional food hub and as a base for the development of Asian foods, as well as products and technologies.

HEALTHCARE

Singapore has identified the healthcare industry as one of the growth industry in its economic development strategies. Thus, one can expect a career in the healthcare industry and supporting industries and services to be very promising in future.

The healthcare industry in Singapore plays an important role in ensuring the health of Singaporeans. The primary aim of the healthcare industry is to provide preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services in Singapore. There are plans to develop Singapore into a medical hub for a whole spectrum of healthcare services, such as integrated healthcare services, hospital management, laboratory services, healthcare consulting, medical informatics, pharmaceutical research and clinical trials. These efforts will make the healthcare industry even more vibrant and enhance career prospects of health care workers.

The services provided in the healthcare sector can be categorized into primary care (clinics), specialist care, hospital care, residential long-term care, day rehabilitation, home healthcare services and dental services. Those who are considering a career in healthcare should have a strong desire to help others, concern for the welfare of patients, and an ability to deal with stressful situations and diverse people.

It is expected that employment in the healthcare sector will continue to grow on the back of an increased demand for health care services due to an ageing population and the move towards developing Singapore as a healthcare hub.
 

Sources: Extracted from publications from Ministry of Manpower and EDB, Singapore

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

The Beauty & Wellness industry in Singapore is growing and has become an important segment of the tourism and hospitality market. Today, the Beauty & Wellness business is estimated to be worth more than $200 m a year. The industry has grown by about 20% over the last 3 years, fuelled by a greater demand for spa services by both locals and tourists. As part of making Singapore a lifestyle hub in Asia to grow the tourism sector, the Singapore Tourism Board is promoting the spa cluster in Singapore. Recognizing the opportunity to further capitalize on the growth potential, the government has taken steps to nurture the local spa industry and help establish Singapore as a hub for the spa industry.

BUSINESS SERVICES

According to a Channel NewsAsia report in March 2012, the Economist Intelligence Unit has once again ranked Singapore the best place to do business in the Asia-Pacific region; and the third world-wide behind economic and financial hubs New York and London. It quoted the “Hot Spots: Benchmarking Global City Competitiveness” report which attributed Singapore’s strong position to its efficient transport system, lean bureaucracy, safe environment and its ability to attract capital and business. Such consistent favourable ranking will continue to allow Singapore to act as a gateway for multinational companies to set up their businesses and take advantage of the growth opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 

According to a Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) report, there are about 900 childcare centres in Singapore as at September 2012.  Together, these centres offer more than 72,000 child care places.  However, there is still a growing demand for more of such services and MCYS is looking at building another 200 childcare centres by 2018. 

As part of their services, these centres will be offering early childhood educational and training programmes to cater for the holistic developmental needs of young children.  Therefore, there has been a steady demand for trained practitioners who can take on a range of roles.  These include Play Group Leader, Preschool Teachers and Childcare Teachers.

MEETINGS, INCENTIVES, CONVENTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS (MICE)

The MICE industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing rapidly with conferences, meetings, trade shows and social events hosted regularly all over the world.

At the Tourism Industry Conference on 23 March 2012, the Singapore Government announced an injection of S$905 million for the Tourism Development Fund which would support the co-creation of innovative tourism products and events, and the enhancement of workforce capabilities. At least a third of this figure will be set aside to develop the rapidly growing MICE sector. Of the 13 million visitors who came to Singapore in 2011, the Singapore Tourism Board estimates that a third were here for business events.

Singapore has also maintained its position as Asia’s Top Convention City for 10 years running, according to the latest Global Rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association. In addition, Singapore has retained its spot as the only Asian city in the Top Five Convention Cities in the World alongside Vienna, Barcelona, Paris and Berlin, since 2006.

SPORTS & FITNESS

The Sports & Fitness industry in Singapore enjoys good government support as S$300 million is put into the Sporting Singapore Fund to finance sports development. The government is building a new S$800 million world-class Sports Hub, located on a 35-hectare site in Kallang, to create a critical mass of international, regional and local sports federations and associations; sports medicine and sports science service providers; sports-related training and education service providers; and sports companies’ sales & marketing headquarters; retail outlets; R&D and design centres in one centralized location. Besides providing substantial funding support, the government has identified strategic areas to promote and nurture the full spectrum of business opportunities in the sporting world and its related industries.

TOURISM

Singapore enjoys distinct advantages in its ability to attract tourists.  Blessed with a unique blend of different ethnicity and culture, the modern metropolitan society is also perceived to be able to uphold traditional values and practices.  Built on the legacy of a colourful colonial past, it is now a progressive independent nation.  Singapore is seen to be a unique and exotic destination in the eyes of the leisure and business travellers.

To further enhance its attractiveness as a tourist destination, the Singapore Tourism Board continues to develop new world class attractions and attract strategic business and leisure events to its shores.  A re-energised Orchard Road as a premier shopping district, the Singapore Flyer, integrated resorts are all part of an exciting and promising tourism landscape.

Singapore Tourism Board’s long term plans aim to triple tourism receipts to $30 billion and double visitor arrivals to 17 million visitors by 2015. The projected growth of the increasingly important tourism sector will provide new and ample employment opportunities in the different sectors of the tourism industry.

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

With its strategic location, efficient 24/7 operations, reliable physical and IT infrastructure, and excellent connectivity, Singapore has established itself as a leading global logistics hub and supply chain management (SCM) nerve centre. The Logistics and Transport industry is a key enabler to other industries and plays a critical role in supporting Singapore’s connectivity to key external markets.

The industry is also an important economic sector. In 2011, the industry contributed 8.2% of Singapore’s GDP and employed more than 200,000 workers. Within the industry, all segments, namely, land transport, water transport, air transport, warehousing & storage, other support activities for transportation and post & courier services recorded growths.

The Singapore government continues to place great emphasis on and support the industry for its manpower training and education and infrastructure development, in order to meet the challenges and needs of the industry.

WHOLESALE & RETAIL

The retail industry employs some 147,000 workers in some 19,000 establishments. This is about 4 percent of Singapore’s total workforce.

The retail landscape in Singapore has seen much vibrancy, thus making us a leading shopping haven in the Asia-Pacific region.  With new malls such as Jcube, Jem and Westgate as well as the revamp of Orchard Emerald and Specialists’ Centre between 2011 and 2013, retail experiences will be greatly enhanced.  With increasing tourist numbers and solid improvement in retail sales in 2011, retail industry players are optimistic about the business outlook.  As more retail spaces are added to the scene through the new malls, more job opportunities will be available in the industry.  Retail Assistants, Cashiers and Supervisory positions are possible jobs created by the new retail outlets. 

With continual strong economic growth and other new attractions such as Marina Bay Link Mall and Gardens by the Bay as well as the presence of the two Integrated Resorts, the retail industry is set to shine.

Source: Extracts from WDA website.

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

In the recent years, the Creative Industries has been identified by the Economic Review Committee’s (ERC) as one of the three new and promising service areas to promote, besides education and healthcare.

The key focus of efforts has been to build the fundamentals of this industry by developing creative capabilities, stimulating sophisticated demand and strengthening industry players to become credible and significant players in the global creative landscape.  The vision is to develop “A vibrant and self-sustaining creative cluster to propel Singapore's Creative Economy” through industry-specific blueprints.

Creative   industries   not   only   contribute   towards   the   economy directly, they also have a powerful, indirect impact on the rest of the   economy   -   by   adding   style,   aesthetics   and   freshness   to differentiate  our products and  services. The  creative industries also improves our quality of life and make Singapore more vibrant by stimulating awareness and demand for the arts, design and media products and services.

The DesignSingapore blueprint serves to establish Singapore as Asia's leading hub for design excellence, where its design cluster is fully developed into a key driver. DesignSingapore is a national collaborative initiative steered by high-level Council comprising individuals from the corporate sector, government and design community.

The blueprint charts out seven strategies:



1. Nurture a Vibrant Integrated Design Services Cluster


2. Establish Singapore's Status as an International Design Hub


3. Develop World-class Expertise


4. Develop Design "Killer Apps"


5. Promote Design Excellence in Enterprise


6. Foster a Design-savvy Culture


7. Raise Professional Standing of Designers

With the above growth in the Design sector in context, the School of Design has developed courses that skill our students in the following creative services :

Advertising & Communication

Space, Architecture & Landscaping 

Interior & Exhibition

Fashion & Textile

Product & Industrial Design

MEDIA

Singapore’s media sector demonstrates healthy growth from early 2000 focusing on the development of infrastructure, policy and production technical expertise. 

In 2009, the Media Development Authority (MDA) announced Singapore’s national media blueprint developed in consultation with industry players and partner agencies, entitled The Singapore Media Fusion Plan (SMFP). It will be part of Singapore’s efforts to grow the Creative Industries, which will provide more job opportunities for Singaporeans, and enable them to fulfil his or her individual potential. A strong media sector contributes directly towards the economy, and promotes a better understanding of Singapore’s culture.

In the context of a growing media market, the School of Design has developed course offerings that cater to the following areas of creative services:

Printing & Publishing

Film & Video

Interactive Digital Media

Performance Production

ELECTRONICS

Can you imagine life without electronics? Electronics is making a positive impact to our lives, enabling us to live better and longer. It enables us to be connected to social media and the latest global trends through mobile broadband; it enables more powerful but thinner and lighter computers, tablets and smartphones; it enables futuristic transportation such as self driving and self parking cars; it enables our world to be greener through LED lighting, electric vehicles and smart energy saving home appliances; it enables us to live better through advances in medical technology such as faster and more accurate medical diagnostics, pacemakers and robotic surgery.

Singapore is a powerhouse in the electronics industry. We develop and manufacture many innovative semiconductors that enrich electronics, making them more efficient, more appealing, more reliable and safer. About 1-in-10 of the world’s semiconductors can be traced back to manufacturing in a wafer fab in Singapore; most of the world’s information is stored in hard disk drives, and over 40% of the storage media in hard disk drives are developed and made in Singapore; about 80% of the world’s biometric passports use a security chip that is made here. In fact, many of the largest companies in the industry have R&D or manufacturing in Singapore, including GLOBALFOUDRIES, Infineon, Micron, Panasonic, Renesas, Seagate, Showa Denko, SSMC, STATS ChipPAC, STMicroelectronics, UMC and Western Digital.

As a result, the electronics industry leads all industries in Singapore in R&D spending and GDP contribution. 2010 and 2011 were historic years for the industry – manufacturing output was the highest and 3rd highest in history. The industry is expected to continue its strong growth and this will create a wide variety of good job opportunities.

INFO-COMMUNICATIONS

The vision of the Info-Communications Technology (ICT) industry is to make Singapore a hub in the global network of dynamic businesses and technological innovations. Rapid changes in technology such as the proliferation of tablets as an enterprise platform, and the convergence of media, computing and telecommunications into cloud based platforms characterised the nature of this sector. 

The ICT industry has attracted huge investments from world leading infocomm companies such as IBM, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Apple, Adobe etc and many have made Singapore their regional headquarters. These investments have generated numerous direct jobs in the professional area.

The general employment outlook for ICT workers is positive. Specifically, employers are looking for ICT capabilities in areas like computer networking, enterprise system administration, wired and wireless networking, database management, IT project management, Infocomm sales & marketing, quality assurance & management, IT security and business continuity & cloud computing, virtualization, Web Development which includes applications for Social Media and Mobile Devices. In the media sector, graduates can be employed to provide technical support in audio and video production, live events, production houses and design/advertising agencies.

AEROSPACE

The aerospace industry has grown strongly in the last decade in Singapore. It continues to promise tremendous growth potential, as Singapore develops into a regional aviation hub. Today, Singapore hosts more than 100 aviation companies. These companies are engaged in various aerospace activities in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), design, manufacturing and aviation services. Singapore continues to build our capabilities as a “one-stop shop” for MRO to serve both the regional and global markets.

According to a study commissioned by the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore), the number of aircraft technicians and licensed aircraft engineers is set to increase by 11,500 over the next 10 years, from the existing 7,500. Specifically, there is a demand for 2,270 aircraft maintenance technicians over the next 10 years, to support the growth in the aerospace industry.

HIGH-VALUE MANUFACTURING

Forty years of industrialization has given Singapore a wealth of experience in engineering services. Today, Singapore is home to industry leaders like Kellogg Brown & Root, Foster Wheeler, Jacobs Engineering and M+W Zander for engineering services. In fact, several of these companies have already established their headquarters here and expanded their operations.

Singapore is a one-stop solutions centre for the engineering industry. To maintain its lead, new initiatives are constantly being introduced to boost the width and depth of technical capabilities, as well as the rate of innovation in providing value-added solutions.

The Precision Engineering sector contributes to 10% of Singapore’s total manufacturing output and employs more than 94,000 employees or 25% of the total manufacturing workforce here. The transformation of existing industries and the growth of new ones - from aerospace to medical technology and life sciences, and interactive and digital electronics - have led to an increase in demand for precision engineering expertise to serve in these high-value manufacturing industries.

MARINE

The marine industry have over the last three decades gained prominence for quality, specialised services, timely delivery, skilled and disciplined workforce. Singapore is one of the world's premier ship repair and ship conversion centres as well as a global leader in the building of jack-up rigs and the conversion of FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Off-loading) units. The projected demand is for approximately 600 marine supervisors for the next 5 years from 2007 to 2012. This industry will continue to play a critical role in the national economy, in view of Singapore's drive to become a leading international maritime hub offering world class shipyards, complex marine systems and components design and manufacturing, R&D activities, and comprehensive marine-related services such as classification, naval architecture, marine engineering and training.

Sources: Extracted from publications from EDB, Singapore

CULINARY ARTS
 

The interest and focus on Culinary Arts as a career in Singapore is fast growing and has become an important manpower need for the tourism and hospitality market. The culinary profession has come a long way and has shed its image as a menial job staffed by school dropouts with few prospects in the 1980s. It is now perceived as a glamorous and rewarding career that attracts bright and young Singaporeans who are willing to work hard. With Singapore as a food paradise and with an increasing number of international food establishments being opened each year, the need for chefs in different culinary fields is expected to increase further.

FOOD & BEVERAGE
 

The Food and Beverage (F&B) industry contributes about $1.7 billion of Singapore GDP and employs about 91,000 people in 6,200 establishments. The employment outlook is very encouraging for people in the food business sector especially in the restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, bars and bistros. Some of the jobs in the industry include restaurant servers, bartenders, senior captains, hostesses, baristas, operation managers, catering services managers and sales executives.

HOTEL OPERATIONS
 

In the last 3 years since 2008, together with building of the Integrated Resorts and the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s plan to release new land parcels for hotel developments, there had been an increase of over 10,000 hotel rooms for Singapore. With new hotels being built and the increase in tourism arrivals expected in the coming years, the demand for workers in the area of hotel operations such as Front Office, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Concierge and Bell Services are huge. Service workers in these areas are expected to be efficient in their related skills and also possess good customer and communication skills.