Workplace learning pathways launched for Singapore employees in ICT and land transport sectors

Led by SIT, this programme will be executed with the help of local industry partners like Ensign InfoSecurity, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), SBS Transit, and SMRT Corporation.

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will collaborate with various industry partners – like Ensign InfoSecurity, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), SBS Transit, and SMRT Corporation – to upskill the local workforce and achieve greater alignment between academic achievement and work performance, in two of Singapore’s key sectors, cybersecurity and transportation.

Dubbed as the competency-based workplace learning pathway, on 4 August 2021 (Wednesday), it is expected to provide in-employment learners, regardless of their starting qualifications, a means to enhance their skills and pursue a degree while working.

In detail, the new pathway works with the following key features:

• Recognition of prior learning: This pathway will recognise adult learners’ work experience and prior competencies using competency-based assessment methods, and award credits towards fulfilment of the degree programme’s requirement.
• Learner-centric: Most of the learning outcomes required for the degree programme will be achieved through curated projects which learners carry out at their place of work.

(i) Learners will have access to online lectures for the respective modules, and receive facilitated coaching and instruction from SIT faculty online.

(ii) This approach will provide learners with greater flexibility and ownership over their learning journey and pace.

• Collaborative engagement with industry partners: The collaborative process of development with industry partners ensures that both the industry’s training needs as well as adult learners’ upgrading aspirations are met.

On that note, SIT noted that it will be piloting this pathway in two degree programmes from September 2021:

1. Bachelor of engineering in information and communications technology (information security), in collaboration with Ensign InfoSecurity, and
2. Bachelor of engineering and Master of engineering technology in sustainable infrastructure engineering (land), in collaboration with LTA, SBS Transit, and SMRT Corporation.

“Through our engagements with (the) industry, we see the increasing importance of workplace learning to drive lifelong learning in our workforce and enable our companies to transform and progress,” said Professor Chua Kee Chaing, Deputy President (Academic) & Provost, SIT.

“If we can work with companies to curate workplace learning to allow in-employment learners to upgrade and gain relevant higher certifications that are useful to and hence recognised by the companies, we create win-win solutions for both the learners and the companies.”

Lee Fook Sun, Chairman, Ensign InfoSecurity, shared the partnership will enable Ensign to help grow the cybersecurity talent pool in Singapore.

“It will provide a much-needed pathway for cyber professionals to deepen their knowledge and stay on top of their game while being employed, thereby contributing to our overall efforts to build a set of strong localised cyber-defence capabilities and nurture a sustainable workforce to defend our cyberspace; at the same time providing a helpful relief valve from the intensifying and somewhat unhealthy market competition for cyber professionals.”

Also sharing his sentiments on this move was SBS Transit Chief Executive Officer, Cheng Siak Kian: "This initiative will no doubt help our people grow professionally and gain recognition for their skills and expertise.”

Related news: Space tour guide, pharmer, and 3D lab meat scientist are the jobs of tomorrow

Image / 123RF

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!