Two universities will launch this year work-study programmes that allow students to pursue their degrees while undergoing on-the-job training (OJT) with partner companies.
Education Minister
Ong Ye Kung announced that Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and SIM University (UniSIM) will commence the new “Skillsfuture Work-Study Degree Programmes” in selected growth sectors.
These new programmes will feature increased employer involvement, and are co-developed and co-delivered with 12 partner companies, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said. The 12 companies comprise a mix of local companies (including a small and medium-sized enterprise), multi-national corporations (MNCs), and government agencies.
SIT’s programmes will be in information security, software engineering, hospitality business, electrical power engineering, and civil engineering. UniSIM’s programmes will be in finance and business analytics.
The partner organisations will jointly assess the placement of potential candidates on undergraduate programmes by being part of the interview panel for admissions, Ong said. “Their assessment will not be based solely on academic grades. The matching of industry needs with personal aspirations is just as important, if not more important.”
Furthermore, partners will also work with the universities to develop the programme curriculum in line with industry needs.
Partner companies will also mentor and guide student-trainees in the workplace through a structured on-the-job training curriculum. “For example, students attached to Accenture will be part of project teams across a broad range of services and solutions. Mentors will guide students throughout the projects,” the minister explained.
“Employers will also play a crucial role in assessing the student-trainees during their OJT based on feedback from the mentors, with some of these OJT being credit-bearing portions of the undergraduate programme.”
While learning in school and applying theory at work, students will be supported by their companies. This may include, for example, tuition fee sponsorship, stipends, and sign-on bonuses, the MOE said. They may be offered career opportunities with the partner company upon graduation.
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