ITE and TP-Link Partnership Equips Students with Enterprise Tech Skills to Take On In-Demand ICT Roles

Pictured above: SMS Tan Kiat How with Mr Hugo Cai, Regional Director of TP-Link (right), and Mr Alvin Goh, Principal of ITE College East (left), after officiating the MOU Signing Ceremony between ITE and TP-Link.

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and TP-Link Corporation Pte Ltd (TP-Link) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen hands-on training and job readiness in networking and surveillance technologies. Both parties will co-develop curriculum and Continuing Education & Training (CET) courses that align with evolving industry needs. The three new CET courses that will help equip students and adult learners with industry-recognised skills and certifications are as follows:

1)    Omada Certified Network Administrator (OCNA) - Wireless Network Administrator: This course trains students to manage cloud-based enterprise networks.

2)    Omada Certified Network Administrator (OCNA) - Network Administrator - Routing & Switching: This course develops skills in routing and switching.

3)    VIGI Certified Security Administrator (VCSA) - Surveillance System Integrator: This course covers smart surveillance infrastructure, security operations, and intelligent monitoring.

The 3-year partnership is expected to benefit about 600 students from Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering and Higher Nitec in Security System Integration annually, providing them with industry-recognised qualifications and practical experience with enterprise-grade systems. Beyond the classroom, TP-Link will offer internships, placements, and structured industry learning journeys, creating potential pathways to permanent roles. The signing took place at ITE College East and was witnessed by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information.

The collaboration will also include the sponsorship of equipment, staff attachments, joint projects, and student competitions. As part of their coursework, students will learn to troubleshoot networking issues and configure surveillance systems using TP-Link’s technologies, ensuring they can translate classroom learning into real-world solutions.

Singapore’s ICT and security sectors are seeing a growing demand for skilled professionals, particularly in operational roles that require hands-on technical expertise. This collaboration helps bridge those gaps by giving students real-world exposure to the tools and systems used in actual deployment environments, particularly in the rapidly growing areas of enterprise networking and CCTV surveillance. These sectors are currently facing a shortage of trained technicians, making the partnership especially timely in equipping students with practical, job-ready skills that go beyond textbook theory.

“There is a growing need for professionals who can design, deploy, and manage secure, scalable systems. Singapore is a strategic hub for talent development in the region, and we are proud to partner ITE in preparing students for these roles,” said Mr Hugo Cai, Regional Director, TP-Link Corporation Pte Ltd. “By bringing industry expertise into the classroom and aligning training with real-world demands, we’re not only supporting local education but also investing in the future of Southeast Asia’s digital workforce.”

Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE, said, “We are pleased to partner TP-Link to strengthen our students’ training in networking technologies and solutions. By integrating industry-leading expertise and resources into our curriculum, we can better equip our students and CET learners with industry-relevant skills, enable them to acquire industry-recognised certifications, and give them a strong head start to embark on careers in this industry.”

Through this partnership, both ITE and TP-Link aim to nurture a new generation of ICT and security professionals who are not only technically skilled but also workforce-ready.