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Press Release - ITE Expanding Diploma Pathways
8 December 2022
At age four, Sharon Lee started dabbling in online gaming, a pastime that has not only brought her joy but also hard lessons on the risks involved. After experiencing a few social engineering attacks, Sharon became curious about a hacker’s mindset and ways to prevent cyberattacks. Driven by a thirst for knowledge in this area, she chose to pursue the Higher Nitec in Cyber & Network Security course in ITE. Then, she was introduced to ethical hacking and it boosted her interest in cybersecurity. Upon graduating in Mar 2019, she took a gap year before starting her Work-Study Diploma in Cyber Security and Forensics course in April 2020. Her patience paid off as she was able to apply the knowledge gained at ITE at her workplace, TOFFS Technologies’ Security Operations Centre (SOC).
Sharon, who described her time in TOFFS as an exhilarating journey, said, “I gained so much through this WSDip. It is exciting to work on real-life cases and I take pride in protecting my clients against cyber threats.” While at SOC, Sharon rose to be a Project Manager. Along with two other Project Managers, she was tasked with advising 290 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to implement ABCD, Asset-Based Cyber Defence solutions. Today, Sharon has emerged as the top trainee in the pioneer graduating batch for her course and named Valedictorian for the Class of 2022.
Win-Win Situation for Work-Study Diploma Participants
Sharon was one of 18 Course Medallists who received their Medals from Second Minister for Education, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, at the ITE Work-Study Diploma Graduation Ceremony on 8 December 2022. The 18 were among 371 trainees, from 22 WSDip courses, who have completed their training in end-September 2022. This event is the first large-scale inperson graduation ceremony held for trainees since the inception of ITE Work-Study Diploma programmes.
In 2018, the WSDip programme started with four courses subscribed by some 100 trainees. Four years on, it has expanded to 40 courses (Refer to Annex A) with an estimated 1,200 places to fill. This includes the addition of four new courses, which will start enrolment in April 2023 (Refer to Annex B). ITE is working closely with industry to meet its target of offering 1,500 WSDip training places in 2025.
Companies welcomed this collaborative approach in building their talent pipeline. This is evident in the increase in number of participating companies, from just 41 in 2018 to more than 500 companies today. This steady growth reflects the effectiveness of an apprenticeship-based programme delivered in partnership with employers. Mr Goh Sui Yong, Projects Director of Sim
Lian Construction Co. (Pte.) Ltd said, “We embarked on the WSDip journey with ITE from the start, way back in 2018. We have had good experiences with the trainees working with us. Although without on-site work experience when they first joined us, their earnestness in learning and understanding the work processes have put them in good stead. The WSDip programme has not only benefitted them through on-the-job training, but also allowed us to retain local talent in the construction industry.”
Training Trainers towards Excellence
With 70 percent of WSDip training taking place in companies, it is critical for WSDip trainers in companies to be equipped with the skills to coach and mentor their ITE WSDip trainees. On this, ITE has partnered companies to develop their own staff to be certified trainers in expert domains, through its Train-the-Trainer (TTT) programme. Under ITE’s TTT programme, company WSDip trainers will receive training in modules that focus on enhancing pedagogic competencies and applying work-based learning solutions. This will aid the trainers in knowledge transfer and contribute towards staff capability development.
Ms Ame Sim Poh Kim, Senior Horticulturist at Nature Landscapes Pte Ltd, has been a mentor to nine trainees since the WSDip in Aboriculture and Horticulture started in 2020. The TTT programme helped Ame to develop a structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) blueprint. She shared, “In the past, our training was not systematic. I applied what I learnt by including more demonstrations and follow-up assessments in close intervals. Trainees were able to absorb and retain information quickly. I also spent more time getting to know my trainees better so I could customise my coaching methods.” Ame saw the TTT programme as a good opportunity to elevate the skills of junior staff. Ame was among the 221 trainers who attained the ITE Certified Industry Trainer certificate.
Three New Technical Diplomas
To offer more diverse progression pathways to ITE graduates, Dr Maliki Osman also announced the launch of three new Technical Diplomas (TD)/Technical Engineer Diplomas (TED) in April 2023. The Technical Diploma in Hospitality & Hotel Management will be offered in partnership with EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland, while the Technical Diploma in Beauty & Wellness Management and Technical Engineer Diploma in Civil & Structural Engineering are developed in collaboration with Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong (Refer to Annex C). These will add to ITE’s existing offering of TD/TED programmes in Automotive Engineering, Culinary Arts and Machine Technology (Refer to Annex D).
The Technical Diploma in Hospitality & Hotel Management is expected to integrate the best practices of Swiss hospitality management with ITE’s applied learning approach. Graduates of this diploma can pursue the Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management, offered by EHL either in Singapore or Switzerland.
After a positive internship stint with an international luxury hotel, Manikandan S/O Shivaji, a second-year student in Higher Nitec in Hospitality Operations, is considering various pathways to further his studies in hospitality. He said, “I’m keeping my options open but the draw of this Technical Diploma is the international exposure. The Swiss are well known for their hospitality so it will be interesting to learn what sets them apart and how we can adopt these qualities.”
Come April 2023, the 40 Work-Study Diploma and six Technical/Technical Engineer Diploma programmes are expected to provide about 1,400 diploma places that would enable 10 percent of ITE graduates to upskill.
Annex A
Table 1: ITE Work-Study Diplomas (WSDip) and date of commencement
No. | ITE Work-Study Diplomas (WSDip) | Date of Commencement |
1 | WSDip in Agriculture & Aquaculture Technology | April 2023 |
2 | WSDip in Customer Experience Management | |
3 | WSDip in Facilities Management | |
4 | WSDip in Security Operations | |
5 | WSDip in Applied Electronics & AI | April 2022 |
6 | WSDip in Architectural BIM & Design | |
7 | WSDip in E-Commerce & Retail | |
8 | WSDip in IoT & Data Engineering | |
9 | WSDip in Land Transport Engineering | |
10 | WSDip in Mechanical Systems Engineering | |
11 | WSDip in Aircraft Cabin Engineering | April 2021 |
12 | WSDip in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering | |
13 | WSDip in Cloud Management & Operations | |
14 | WSDip in Event Management | |
15 | WSDip in Fitness Management | |
16 | WSDip in Opticianry | |
17 | WSDip in Aircraft Engine Maintenance | April 2020 |
18 | WSDip in Airport Operations | |
19 | WSDip in Arboriculture & Horticulture | |
20 | WSDip in Automation Engineering | |
21 | WSDip in Culinary Arts & Management | |
22 | WSDip in Cyber Security & Forensics | |
23 | WSDip in Electrical Engineering | |
24 | WSDip in IT System Integration | |
25 | WSDip in Maritime Business Management | |
26 | WSDip in Media Communication & Digital Marketing | |
27 | WSDip in Chemical Process Technology | April 2019 |
28 | WSDip in Community Engagement & Development | |
29 | WSDip in Data Centre Infrastructure & Operation | |
30 | WSDip in Hotel & Restaurant Management | |
31 | WSDip in Lifestyle & Recreation Management | |
32 | WSDip in Logistics & Supply Chain Management | |
33 | WSDip in Microelectronics | |
34 | WSDip in Patient Management & Services | |
35 | WSDip in Port Automation Technology | |
36 | WSDip in Vertical Transportation | |
37 | WSDip in Marine & Offshore Engineering | April 2018 |
38 | WSDip in Mechanical & Electrical Services Supervision | |
39 | WSDip in Rehabilitation Care | |
40 | WSDip in Security Systems Engineering |
Specific entry requirements for each course can be found in the WSDip Course Booklet.
Annex B
Brief on New ITE Work-Study Diplomas
Table 2: Brief on Work-Study Diploma in Agriculture & Aquaculture Technology
1) Work-Study Diploma in Agriculture & Aquaculture Technology |
About the Course This course equips trainees with the skills and knowledge in automating and managing urban agriculture and aquaculture systems with the deployment of sensors & control systems, robotics, Internet-of-Things (IoT), IT and data analytics, to achieve highly productive, innovative and sustainable agri-food industry. Entry requirements Applicants must meet the following minimum entry requirements: ITE graduates from any one of the following courses: Nitec with GPA ≥ 2 or Higher Nitec:
Pass company screening and interview Duration 2.5 years Venue ITE College East Progression Pathway On completion of the programme, trainees can be employed as Technologists. |
Table 3: Brief on Work-Study Diploma in Customer Experience Management
2) Work-Study Diploma in Customer Experience Management |
About the Course This course equips trainees with customer experience management skills, specialising in passenger experience management in aviation sectors, and customer experience management in lifestyle and consumer sectors. Entry requirements Applicants must meet the following minimum entry requirements: ITE graduates from any one of the following courses: Nitec with GPA ≥ 2
OR In-service employees with:
Duration 2.5 years Venue ITE College East (Aviation track) ITE College West (Lifestyle & Consumer track) Progression Pathway On completion of the programme, trainees can be employed as:
|
Table 4: Brief on Work-Study Diploma in Facilities Management
3) Work-Study Diploma in Facilities Management |
About the Course This course equips trainees with the skills and knowledge in maintaining and repairing key building services systems and their associated sub-systems, using appropriate methods and procedures to ensure safe and efficient management of facilities. Entry Requirements Applicants must meet the following minimum entry requirements: ITE graduates from any one of the following courses: Nitec with GPA ≥ 2 or Higher Nitec:
OR In-service employees with:
Duration 2.5 years Venue ITE College West Progression Pathway On completion of the programme, trainees can be employed as Technical/Facilities/Property/ Building Executives. |
Table 5: Brief on Work-Study Diploma in Security Operations
4) Work-Study Diploma in Security Operations |
About the Course This course equips trainees with skills in people management, situational awareness, communication, behaviour analysis and quality customer experience management, leadership and team management, as well as performing security duties and managing threatening and abusive behaviour. This includes the handling of incidents and emergencies. Entry requirements Applicants must meet the following minimum entry requirements: ITE graduates from any one of the following courses: o Nitec with GPA ≥ 2
OR In-service employees with:
Duration 2.5 years Venue ITE College Central Progression Pathway On completion of the programme, trainees can be employed as Security Supervisors/Auxiliary Police Officer Supervisors and Direct-Entry Sergeant. |
Annex C
Brief on New ITE Technical/Technical Engineer Diplomas
Table 6: Brief on Technical Diploma in Hospitality & Hotel Management
1) Technical Diploma in Hospitality & Hotel Management |
About the Course Leveraging on both the Swiss hospitality education excellence and the distinctive applied learning approach of ITE, students will be equipped with hard and soft skills through capstone projects with clients where they apply their learning in the real world. Students can pick up a vast range of transferable skills to excel in the hospitality industry and beyond. There are also opportunities for students to experience a specially curated Swiss immersion programme in EHL campuses in Switzerland and benefit from the strong EHL alumni network in 150 countries worldwide and have access to industry partners. About our Partner Institution EHL is the world's first hotel school, founded in 1893 as Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. In 2022, for the fourth year in a row, EHL was ranked the world's best hotel management school by QS World University Rankings for Hospitality and Leisure Management. EHL also received the award for “best innovation in education” at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2019. Entry requirements Singapore Citizens with the following ITE qualifications may apply GPA of 2.0 and above
GPA of 3.0 and above
Applicants with at least one year of relevant work experience can be considered for admission if they meet the following academic requirements:
Applicants with qualifications not listed above or working adults with at least two years of relevant work experience can be considered on a case-by-case basis Shortlisted applicants must attend an interview and pass a pre-admission medical examination for admission. Duration 2.5 years of full-time training inclusive of a six-month internship Venue ITE College West Progression Pathway Graduates can pursue the Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management offered by EHL, either in Singapore or Switzerland. This diploma can lead to supervisory or management roles in the hospitality industry or other service sectors. |
Table 7: Brief on Technical Diploma in Beauty & Wellness Management
2) Technical Diploma in Beauty & Wellness Management |
About the Course The course equips students with the skills and expertise to be a professional therapist in the Beauty & Wellness industry, part of the management team in a beauty-related company or to be involved in research and development of personal beauty and care products. The curriculum is developed in collaboration with Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong, and customised to meet local and international requirements. Students can look forward to overseas learning opportunities via student exchange programmes in Hong Kong. There is an option to concurrently earn an internationally recognised Diploma from certification bodies such as Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie (CIDESCO). About our Partner Institution Vocational Training Council is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. It was established in 1982 and provides a full range of preemployment and in-service programmes with internationally recognised qualifications for about 200,000 students each year. www.vtc.edu.hk Entry requirements Singapore Citizens with the following ITE qualifications may apply: GPA of 2.0 and above
GPA of 3.0 and above
Applicants with at least one year of relevant work experience can be considered for admission if they meet the following academic requirements:
Applicants with qualifications not listed above or working adults with at least two years of relevant work experience can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Shortlisted applicants will be required to pass a pre-admission medical examination for admission. Some applicants from selected qualifications may be required to attend an admission interview. Duration 2 years of full-time institutional training, inclusive of internship opportunities Venue ITE College East Progression Pathway Graduates can progress to overseas universities based on the university’s admission requirements or attain industry certifications recognised internationally. This diploma can lead to careers ranging from Professional Therapist in the Beauty & Wellness industry, Specialist in beauty-related field to Management Associate in a local/international company in the Beauty & Wellness sector. |
Table 8: Brief on Technical Engineer Diploma in Civil & Structural Engineering
3) Technical Engineer Diploma in Civil & Structural Engineering |
About this Course The course prepares students to meet the evolving demands of the Built Environment industry as it undergoes digital and technological transformation. The curriculum is developed in collaboration with Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong, and customised based on local context to meet local regulatory requirements. With this diploma, graduates are qualified to register as Civil & Structural Resident Technical Officers with the Institution of Engineers Singapore - Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore Joint Accreditation Committee. Students can look forward to overseas learning opportunities via student exchange programmes in Hong Kong. Entry requirements Singapore Citizens with the following ITE qualifications may apply: GPA of 2.0 and above
GPA of 3.0 and above
Applicants with at least one year of relevant work experience work can be considered for admission if they meet the following academic requirements:
Applicants with qualifications not listed above or working adults with at least two years of relevant work experience can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Shortlisted applicants must attend an interview and take an aptitude test for admission. Duration 2 years of full-time institutional training, inclusive of a three-month internship Venue ITE College East Progression Pathway Graduates can progress to related undergraduate degree programmes at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and overseas universities, based on university’s admissions requirements. This diploma can lead to careers ranging from Assistant Civil & Structural (C&S) Engineer, Building Information Modelling (BIM) Coordinator to C&S Resident Technical Officer. |
Annex D
Table 9: ITE Technical/Technical Engineer Diplomas, Partner Institution and their dated of commencement
No. | ITE Technical/Technical Engineer Diplomas | Partner Institution | Date of Commencement |
1 | Technical Diploma in Hospitality & Hotel Management | EHL Hospitality Business School, Switzerland | April 2023 |
2 | Technical Diploma in Beauty & Wellness Management | Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong | |
3 | Technical Engineer Diploma in Civil & Structural Engineering | ||
4 | Technical Diploma in Culinary Arts | Institut Paul Bocuse (IPB), France | April 2011 |
5 | Technical Engineer Diploma in Automotive Engineering | Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS), BadenWürttemberg, Germany | October 2010 |
6 | Technical Engineer Diploma in Machine Technology | April 2008 |