The Technical Engineer Diploma (TED) in Machine Technology Project Fair 2020 and Digital & Advanced Manufacturing Seminar was held on 27 February 2020. Graced by Mr Oliver Fixson, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the event showcased 12 student projects and featured two seminar speakers.

This year, 44 graduating students demonstrated their skills and knowledge via their final-year projects (Refer to TED2020 Project Booklet) at the annual project fair. From brainstorming and conceptualisation, to design and production, the students spent the last nine months labouring over their innovative works. Judged by a panel represented by industry members, two projects took home the Most Outstanding Project Award and the Most Innovative Project Award. 

The winner of the Most Outstanding Project Award is the team behind the ‘Smart Preassembly Kit Packing Station’. They worked with Carrier Transicold (S) Pte Ltd, a manufacturing company that produces refrigerator units, for their creation. The team was tasked to reduce the processing time taken to pack fasteners in the production line and minimise packing errors. Their solution comprises a digital display that indicates the correct quantity of each part to be packed. They also designed a PLC-driven mechanism with the ability to set a customised quantity for each part. This helps the operator in the packing process and improves productivity.

The students behind the ‘Slide Open Showcase’ won the Most Innovative Project Award. Collaborating with Trika(S) Pte Ltd, a producer of museum showcases, the team designed a hidden slide-out mechanism that allows the base section of a display showcase to slide downwards and swing open in one swift, smooth and uninterrupted movement. This turns the rear display back wall into a slide-out display tray, thus eliminating the need for a swing door and hinges. 

During the Digital & Advanced Manufacturing Seminar, guests were treated to two insightful sharing sessions by industry experts. Mr Benjamin Moey, VP, Additive Manufacturing, Siemens Pte Ltd, presented on Advanced Manufacturing Trends and Technologies; while the other speaker, Mr Jason Lim, VP, Technical, Univac Precision Engineering Pte Ltd, shared his company’s digitalisation journey. 

Successful TED Graduates

Since its inception in 2008, the TED in Machine Technology (Refer to Annex A for course details) has produced over 350 successful graduates. Among them is Saravana Kanan, who works as an Executive in Sourcing & Supplier Management, in ST Engineering Aerospace Ltd. After completing his Nitec in Aerospace Machining Technology in 2011, he joined the TED programme and graduated in 2013. In 2016, he joined ST Engineering Aerospace Ltd, a company that deals with Aircraft Interiors, Pilot training, Smart and Military Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO), Freight Conversions and Unmanned aerial solutions.

In his current portfolio, Saravana assesses, develops and manages current and potential suppliers to support the operation of Airbus A320/A321/A330 and Boeing 757 Passenger to Freighter (P2F) conversion projects. Mr Lim Chet Wee, Director, Sourcing & Supplier Management, ST Engineering Aerospace Ltd, commended Saravanan for excellent work performance, “As a Supplier & Sourcing Executive, Sara plays an important role in the department. He excels in developing sourcing project scope, operational and commercial requirements, perform sourcing, selection & order management of the suppliers, to ensure ontime delivery."

Another TED graduate is Delvinic Chiang Yi Xiang, an Assistant QA Engineer in Process Innovation Technology SE Asia Pte Ltd. A graduate of Nitec in Medical Manufacturing Technology in 2012, Delvinic took up TED in Machine Technology and completed his studies in 2015. In 2017, he joined his current company which deals with die-cutting, fabricating and converting of plastic and Rubber polymeric products for the Electronics and Electrical Industries.

Delvinic’s work scope includes preparation of First Article Inspection report submission to customer and monitoring of supplier/vendor quality performance. He is also a key member in supporting the company’s compliance to ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 in areas such as Internal Audit, Supplier Audit and document control.

Mr Chong Kok Swen, Engineering Manager, Process Innovation Technology SE Asia Pte Ltd, has nothing but praise for Delvinic. He commented, “Delvinic has shown confidence and takes initiative in his designated role very well in the company.  He picks up the on –the- job skills fairly quickly and we would like to attribute them to the confidence and skills-sets that he has gained during his studies at TED.”

Annex A

Course Details 

The introduction of the first ITE Diploma, the Technical Engineer Diploma in Machine Technology, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS), Baden Württemberg, Germany, was announced at the ITE Graduation Ceremony 2007. Under this initiative, ITE has been working with Gottlieb Daimler Schule (GDS), to provide training in ITE leading to the Technical Engineer Diploma.

Rationale

• To produce highly skilled and specialised manpower to support the demand for Precision Engineering technologists, in support of Singapore’s machinery and systems manufacturing cluster – an area of high growth identified by the Economic Development Board.
• To provide more progression pathways for ITE graduates.

Collaboration Background

In June 1991, ITE signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish bilateral co-operation with the MEYS, Baden Württemberg, Germany. The MOU has since been renewed for the fifth time in 2016. At the MOU Signing in 2006 in Germany, Mr Gan Kim Yong, then Minister of State for Education & Manpower, suggested that ITE explored possible areas of collaboration to jointly offer courses leading to certifications that could articulate into the German universities of Applied Sciences.

Implementation date of TED in Machine Technology

April 2008

Training Mode

Full-Time

Duration

2 years of College-based training and 1.5 years of work experience

Course Venue

ITE College Central

Entry Requirements

Applicants for the Technical Engineer Diploma in Machine Technology course need to be Singapore Citizens with the following ITE qualifications:

Other Full-time and CET Higher Nitec/ Nitec Courses Where Work Experience is Required (A) Must be a Singapore Citizen 

AND

(B) Have at least 2 years of relevant work experience in precision engineering area, and meet the minimum GPA for one of the following ITE qualifications: 

Progression Opportunities

Graduates of the TED in Machine Technology course will be eligible to apply for admission into the related NUS Bachelor of Technology Programmes, as well as universities of Applied Sciences in Germany. They may be admitted provided they meet the entry requirements specified for the course and university.

Career Prospects

Technical Engineer Diploma in Machine Technology graduates can look forward to an attractive starting pay of between $2,000 and $2,400 in the high-growth machinery and systems industry. Some of the job titles held by graduates include Assistant Engineer and Supervisor. There are excellent opportunities for career development and advancements to supervisory positions and beyond.  

Intake Capacity

50 students per year, subject to periodic reviews in accordance with industry requirements. 

Course Approach and Curriculum

The TED in Machine Technology course has a very high practical content comprising laboratory work, assignments and project work. The course curriculum is modelled along that of “Staatlich Geprüfter Techniker” (or State Certified Technical Engineer) course conducted by GottliebDaimler Schule.

Certification

The Diploma will be issued by MEYS and will be similar to the one awarded in Germany. TED Graduates will receive their Diplomas at ITE’s graduation ceremonies. ITE and MEYS will also issue a joint transcript to all graduates, reflecting the grades attained in the course.