Press Release - ITE on track to fully implement enhanced three-Year Higher Nitec curricular structure by 2026

ITE HQ/CA/CMR/08/03

Singapore, 18 December 2023 – Eighteen-year-old Aden Wee Yew Fung is in his second year of the three-year Higher Nitec in Accounting course at ITE College East. Coming from the Normal Technical stream, he chose to take up the three-year Higher Nitec course when it first started in 2022, as it would mean he could accelerate his academic goals and deepen his skills at the same time. The traditional route of progressing from a two-year Nitec course to another two-year Higher Nitec course would have taken him four years instead.

Aden, who has just completed his first internship stint, said, “I am happy that I am able to pursue higher studies and learn deeper skills in a company, so that I am better prepared for my career. After my recent attachment, I have gained a better understanding of what to expect when I join the industry. I find that the modules taught in class have given me a wide scope of learning and provided me with good insights into the industry too.”  More profiles like Aden’s can be found in Annex A.

Enhanced Curricular Structure Built to Equip ITE Graduates for Their Careers

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is making steady strides towards the full implementation of its enhanced three-year curricular structure leading directly to a Higher Nitec certification, by the Academic Year (AY) 2026. This initiative, introduced in 2022, is designed to provide ITE graduates with deeper industry-relevant skills, enhancing their employability and establishing a robust foundation for continuous education and skills development throughout their careers.

In a phased approach that commenced in 2022, ITE successfully launched eight three-year Higher Nitec courses that year, followed by the introduction of three additional courses in 2023. The momentum continues with plans to unveil 14 more three-year Higher Nitec courses in 2024. The list of the 25 courses introduced over the years can be found in Annex B.

Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer of ITE, said, “The ITE curricular structure is built to be flexible and responsive to the changing and rising skills demands of industry, as well as enable ITE students to be better equipped to secure good jobs, pursue skills upgrading and build their careers.”

Background Information on the Enhanced Three-Year Higher Nitec Curricular Structure

Previously, the two-year Nitec programmes, and the Higher Nitec programmes which are mostly two years in duration were offered separately. Under the enhanced curricular structure, the Nitec and Higher Nitec curricula were streamlined into a three-year programme by removing overlapping competencies between related Nitec and Higher Nitec courses.

The curriculum unfolds with broad-based foundation courses in Year 1, exposing students to fundamental skills relevant to their industry. In Years 2 and 3, students delve into more specialised modules, leading to the attainment of a Higher Nitec certification. A distinctive feature of the enhanced structure is the increased emphasis on Industry Attachments (IA), where students undergo two blocks of IA – a three-month IA in Year 2 and a six-month IA in Year 3, leveraging ITE's strong network of industry partners for a hands-on learning approach. The first batch of students who enrolled in 2022 has completed their first IA stint, with good feedback from the employers.

For students with the abilities and aptitude, an accelerated pathway allows the attainment of a Higher Nitec in two years. This pathway is open to GCE O-Level holders and those entering ITE through the Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP). Conversely, students facing challenges will receive additional learning support. Graduates with a Higher Nitec qualification can explore further upgrading opportunities, such as ITE's Work-Study Diplomas and Technical Diplomas.

Application Now Open

The three-year Higher Nitec courses are open to graduating students with GCE 'N' Level and GCE 'O' Level qualifications. Students may apply for admission to these courses through the Joint Intake Exercise (JIE) from 18 Dec 2023 (2.30pm) to 21 Dec 2023 (5pm). These students will automatically be enrolled into the three-year curricular pathway leading to a Higher Nitec qualification.

For more information on specific programme requirements, please refer to the Course Booklet: ITE Course Booklet 2024

Annex A

Three-Year Higher Nitec Student Profiles from the Pioneer Batch

Muhammad Danial Hakim Bin Mohd Hanafi

Year 2, Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering

ITE College Central

Danial was from the Normal Academic course in secondary school and is interested in engineering. He had tried doing wiring work before he joined ITE, and he enjoyed the activity. Hence, he wanted to learn more about electrical engineering in ITE and decided to choose the Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering course as his first choice. Danial enjoys the hands-on learning aspects of the course and finds the lessons fulfilling. He is currently undergoing Industry Attachment (IA), with a three-month IA in Year 2 and six-month IA for Year 3 in ST Microelectronics.  Danial hopes to deepen his skills in engineering via a diploma programme after his Higher Nitec course. Danial said, “The lessons can sometimes be challenging, but that motivates me to explore more on my own and I know I can consult my lecturers for further help too. I find that I am confident to perform the tasks required of me during my attachment, because I have learned these skills in ITE. Besides, the attachment is a good learning experience for me, allowing me to improve my skills even more.”

Aden Wee Yew Fung

Year 2, Higher Nitec in Accounting

ITE College East

Coming from the Normal Technical stream, Aden chose to take up the three-year Higher Nitec course when it first started in 2022, as it would mean he would take a year less to achieve the Higher Nitec. The traditional route of progressing from a two-year Nitec course to another two-year Higher Nitec course would take him four years. He has completed a three-month Industrial Attachment at an accounting firm and said, “I am happy that I am able to pursue higher studies and learn deeper skills in a company, so that I am better prepared for my career. After my recent attachment, I have gained a better understanding of what to expect when I join the industry. I find that the modules taught in class have given me a wide scope of learning and provided me with good insights into the industry too”. Aden hopes to join the finance industry in future.

Caroline Goh Qian Hui

Year 2, Higher Nitec in IT Applications Development

ITE College West

Caroline Goh's exceptional performance in the first semester of the Higher Nitec in IT Applications Development course led to her being offered the Accelerated Pathway. Caroline was from the Normal Technical stream in secondary school and has been interested in the field of Information Technology since then. In her Higher Nitec course in ITE, she was introduced to web and mobile applications development as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts. This has piqued her interest in AI, and she hopes to work in this area. During her six-month industry attachment, she was posted to a department that develops IT applications. She found that useful, as she has gained work experience and learned important soft skills for the workplace. Overall, her studies in the Higher Nitec in IT Applications Development course have played a crucial role in cultivating her technical abilities and fostering her collaborative nature. With her good results and portfolio, Caroline has secured a place in Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma in Applied AI & Analytics course via the Early Admissions Exercise. Caroline said, “With the skills I have learned from the Higher Nitec course, I am able to work in different areas within the IT industry. The course introduced me to AI applications development, and I am planning to further develop my skills in this area. I am happy to pursue the skill I am interested in and to have built a strong foundation to learn even more.”

Annex B

List of Three-Year Higher Nitec Courses Offered by ITE in Academic Year (AY) 2024