SINGAPORE: Singapore must continue to move up the value chain to become an advanced manufacturing hub with more higher-value jobs, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
He said these jobs of the future will require people who can integrate multiple skill sets — including technical knowledge, problem solving, systems thinking, and industry application — and young Singaporeans need to be prepared.
Mr Teo said: “First, our investments in technical education must give our students access to jobs after graduation. So our graduates must be able to access the job market, they must have skills that are relevant to industries and businesses so that they can easily find jobs.
“Second, our technical education system must keep pace with change — changes in international and domestic developments, as well as changing industry needs. It must provide a life-long pathway. It must provide students with foundational and transferable skills so that they can adapt and move across different jobs in tandem with industry changes throughout their careers.
“Lastly, it must better match the aspirations and career choices of Singaporeans with our national manpower needs, so that Singaporeans continue to have good job options and have the knowledge and skills to take them up.”
Mr Teo was speaking at the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills Singapore 2014 competition on Thursday (July 10), where 142 youths pit their skills against one another in areas ranging from cooking to IT solutions.
They hail from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), the five polytechnics, Air Transport Training College, ST Aerospace Technical Training Centre, SHATEC Institutes and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
The competition takes place from July 10 to 12 at ITE College Central and ITE College West. It is organised by ITE with the support of the five polytechnics.
Winners will have the opportunity to represent Singapore at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Brazil next year.
source: channelnewsasia.com
