Speech - Address by Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO/ITE, at the Work-Study Diploma Signing Ceremony, on Tue 8 Dec 2020, 4pm, at ITE HQ

Dr Maliki Osman, Second Minister for Education 

Mr Andrew Chong, Chairman, ITE

Dr Gog Soon Joo, Chief Skills Officer, SkillsFuture Singapore

Mr Robert Yap, President of Singapore National Employers’ Federation

Industry Partners

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1           In April 2018, the first set of four ITE Work-Study Diploma programmes started. In April 2019, ten new Work-Study Diploma programmes were added and ten more in April 2020. Today, we are pleased to announce that we are adding six new Work-Study Diploma programmes in April 2021. Together, there will be 30 Work-Study Diploma programmes to enable ITE Nitec and Higher Nitec graduates to pursue skills learning, career progression and a diploma qualification.

2           ITE has been able to expand this new Work-Study pathway because of three factors:

Employers’ Commitment. The employers strongly support this mode of training. They hire the ITE graduates and make the commitment that over the next two-and-a-half years, they would deliver structured on-the-job training as well as release the trainees periodically from the workplace to come on ITE campus for learning. These employers are ITE’s training partners and they play a significant role in the success of our Work-Study programmes.

Trainees’ Drive. The WSDip trainees are fresh ITE graduates as well as in-service employees. They cherish the opportunity to work and learn at the same time, drawing a salary as well as achieving a diploma and career progression at the end of the programme. They are highly motivated and driven.

ITE Staff’s Dedication. The ITE staff wholeheartedly believe in this pathway and have demonstrated agility and dedication to work closely with the industry partners, company trainers to develop the curriculum, the OJT tasks, work situation scenarios and co-ordinate the on-job, on-campus training.  

First Batch of WSDip Graduates

3           In October this year, 62 trainees from three WSDip – Mechanical & Electrical Services Supervision, Rehabilitation Care and Security Systems Engineering have completed their training and achieved their diploma.  We congratulate all 62 graduands and the top trainee of each programme - Muhammad Hafiz, Sharon Quah Bee Kiew and Daniel Ezzra Adly who will be awarded their Course Medals today.

4           Hafiz is the top trainee for Mechanical & Electrical Services Supervision. Hafiz started his ITE training in Nitec Facility Technology. He was not a full-time student but was pursuing the Nitec through traineeship mode – work and come on campus one day a week. He achieved his Nitec in 2015, went on to do his national service and then in 2018, he joined the WSDip programme. Hafiz has always been determined and focused and we are confident that beyond the WSDip he would continue to upgrade and advance in his career.

5           Sharon is the top trainee of Rehabilitation Care. She has been working in St Luke’s Hospital for 6 years. Her company noted her potential to be groomed for higher responsibilities and sponsored her for the WSDip. She is grateful to her company and will be putting her new skills into good use as she takes on higher roles and responsibilities.

6           Daniel, the top trainee of Security Systems Engineering Course Medallist expressed that he had very good supervisors at Certis Technology Singapore Pte Ltd who gave him much support, both in his work and in his training. Daniel’s supervisor expressed belief in Daniel’s potential to move up the ranks fairly quickly. 

7           I am sure all 62 WSDip graduands can identify with the aspirations and experiences of Hafiz, Sharon and Daniel and may their stories inspire all others who are still in the midst of their WSDip training as well as those who are considering joining the WSDip programmes.

New Opportunities

8           The Work-Study programmes have opened up new opportunities and possibilities for the trainees. The employers and ITE are gratified to see them grow, acquire more advanced skills, take on more challenging jobs and progress in their careers. Some of the WSDip graduates have also expressed the desire to pursue a degree after a few more years of work experience. We will track their continued progress and are glad that the WSDip have played a part in opening up further opportunities for them.

Conclusion

9           In April 2021, 230 companies have committed to hire and take on trainees for the WSDip programmes. We thank you for committing yourselves to be our training partner and enabling the trainees to work and upgrade at the same time.  Together, ITE, employers and trainees, let us make this meaningful and rewarding journey together.

Thank you.