Certified On-the-Job Training Centre System

What is OJT ?

OJT refers to any training activity conducted by companies for employees at the workplace. OJT can be learning through guided practice or classroom instruction followed by guided practice at the workstation.

Are non-technical courses considered OJT ?

OJT is mainly for shopfloor employees where a supervisor will demonstrate the task to the workers who will subsequently perform the task. The supervisor will then assess and record the performance of the workers. Training in clerical work can be considered OJT, but not management courses conducted in training rooms or in the form of seminars.

Does OJT cater to only training employees for their present job functions ?

OJT is not restricted to upgrading existing skills of workers. It is also applicable to cross-training of workers to meet present or future needs.

Can companies train new entrants who are non-citizens through OJT ?

Yes, companies can train them. However, only Q2 Pass Holders are eligible for the SDF grant.

Is there any specific age group of workers that the OJT system would be targeting at ?

There is no specific age group targeted at. The primary focus is the 300,000 to 400,000 workers who do not have formal technical qualifications. These are mainly shopfloor workers and clerical staff. The programme can also be extended to other categories of workers.

Can the OJT Administrator, Programme Developer and OJT Instructor be the same person ?

Yes. Depending on the resources of the company, one person can perform these 3 roles.

Must the training staff of companies who have good experience in coaching workers attend ITE's or SPRING Singapore's training programme in Coaching Skills ?

If the training staff has undergone systematic training in coaching, ITE is prepared to consider their training experience in lieu of attending the Coaching Skills course. However, companies must be prepared to submit a comprehensive profile (CV) of their trainers and to indicate the types of programmes that the trainers had taken. The designated trainer must also possess at least 3 years full or 5 years part-time experience as the company's official trainer.

Can the supervisors trained by a qualified trainer in the company in the coaching skills course get the OJT Certificate in Coaching Skills? Is this Certificate given to the supervisors recognised outside the company ?

Companies can certify supervisors and experienced skilled workers who are trained by their qualified trainer and issue them Certificate of Appointment to conduct OJT in the company. This certificate is only recognised by the company.

Does ITE stipulate minimum qualifications for the OJT Instructor ?

The technical competency of the OJT Instructor is for the company to decide. ITE only requires that the OJT Instructor should have formal training in coaching skills. ITE is also prepared to accept instructors trained under the company's in-house train-the-trainer course which meets ITE's requirement.

Are overseas trainers engaged by companies acceptable ?

Companies that satisfy the COJTC requirements could engage overseas trainers to conduct the OJT programmes.

What are the costs involved to be a COJTC ?

ITE will not charge any registration fee for application of COJTC status. Basically, the cost to the company is the resources used to conduct training or if the company requires SPRING consultants to develop the training programme.

What is the support from SDF for the COJTC system ?

The SDF grant is $2.50 per trainee-hour for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Q2 Pass Holders. For COJTC programmes conducted by company's own resources, participants of Malyasian P1, P2, Q1, R1 and R2 Pass Holders are also eligible for the SDF grant of $2.50 per trainee-hour, up to 25% of the class size and provided that 51% of the class are Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or Q2 Pass Holders. Generally, SDF requires the OJT programmes to be targeted at workers (GCE 'A' level and below and/or earn $1,000 & below). For further details and OJT programmes targeted at diploma holders and above, please call SDF at tel no 62784466.

How does ITE audit a company in the COJTC system ?

A team of ITE's officers will visit the company once a year or as and when necessary to take a look at the training programmes and documents to satisfy that quality and systematic training are maintained. They may go to the shopfloor to talk to the trainers and workers undergoing the OJT or those who have completed OJT programmes.

The renewal of the COJTC status is for a period of 2 years. What are the criteria needed for renewal ?

The COJTC status will be renewed if the company shows commitment in the system, has trained trainers and has implemented at least 40 trainee-hours of OJT during the 2-year term.

Can the COJTC system be extended to companies located in nearby neighbouring countries ?

The system is meant for Singapore-based companies.

Is it necessary to issue OJT Certificates to every employee after they have completed each OJT programme ?

It is for the company to decide. The issue of OJT certificate is meant to be an incentive and not a requirement.

Are OJT Certificates recognised by other companies ?

OJT programmes are normally job specific to meet the individual needs of companies. OJT Certificates issued for such programmes will reflect the skill level of the respective companies' standard. However, some national skills are transferable among companies within the same industry. Whatever the OJT programmes, OJT Certificates are valued by employees, as they bear the ITE OJT hallmark.

Would the issue of certificates to employees make them more marketable and more mobile ?

Even without OJT Certificates, employees can leave their companies for various reasons. But if seen from the individual industry or national perspective, OJT Certificates symbolise a quality OJT training system and culture.

How can small companies be encouraged to participate in training if they are concerned that their trained employees are joining other companies after training ?

If companies have already developed a good training culture, such fears may be unfounded. Even if trained employees leave, it will not be a critical issue because there is in place a good OJT system to train other or new employees. Employees who leave can tell others that your company provides good training for them.