Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (ITAP) 2021

24 Nov 2021

The annual Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (ITAP), gathering experts from the field across the region, was held online and physically at the Singapore Expo from 22 – 24 November 2021. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies of Singapore. 

This year’s theme was “Stepping up Capabilities with Industry 4.0”. The world of manufacturing is evolving quickly and becoming Industry 4.0 (I4.0) ready. I4.0, enabled by technologies such as Industrial Internet-of-Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, marks the era of cyber-physical systems, where interconnected machines can operate autonomously with real-time data inputs from the physical world.
Led by Enterprise Singapore, the Singapore Pavilion features more than 25 companies and their exciting, cutting-edge solutions that support global manufacturers. 

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)
As part of SP’s continuous efforts to strengthen partnerships with key industry leaders to drive industry digitalisation and cultivate a workplace culture that embraces the latest digital technologies, SP signed three MOUs at ITAP 2021: 

i. MOU with the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) to provide learning opportunities through a Digital Transformation Programme in areas such as human capital transformation, designed to upskill the manufacturing workforce

ii. MOU with the Singapore Business Federation and JTC to provide integrated support to Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry through transformation-led training programmes under the Company and Workforce Transformation (CWT) initiative to accelerate I4.0 adoption 

iii. MOU with MicroStrategy, the largest independent publicly-traded business intelligence company, to offer local companies greater access to its enterprise BI application software solutions

(DPM Heng and SP PCEO, Mr Soh Wai Wah, touring the SP I4.0 Experience Zone)

A key highlight of the event was the I4.0 Experience Zone by SP. SP boasts a wide suite of end-to-end training and solutions to journey with companies in their adoption of I4.0 data and technology. 

Attendees had good opportunities to connect with experts at the Experience Zone and take part in an Augmented Reality (AR) immersive experience of the Advanced Manufacturing Learning Journey, a demonstration of 5G for Manufacturing and a live 5G network through SP’s collaboration with Singtel & Ericsson, among others.

In addition, SP also conducted several clinic sessions and webinars virtually:

PACE Clinic Sessions with Bosch Rexroth Regional Training Centre (BRRTC)
(Mr Peter Peh, Centre Director, Bosch Rexroth Regional Training Centre)

As a key partner of SP’s Professional & Adult Continuing Education & Training (PACE) Academy, BRRTC was invited to conduct clinic sessions to share on certified training through German Industry Specialist AHK I4.0 to support SMEs in their journey to adopt I4.0 technology and to equip the workforce concurrently through their proof-of-concept offerings.
BRRTC also shared on AMLead's Best-in-Class@Germany, a flagship 5-day overseas immersion programme for senior leaders of local manufacturing companies to visit Bosch’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in Germany. 

Joint Webinar – Guided, Structured and Holistic Platform to Help Accelerate Digital Transformation by SP, Singapore Business Federation and JTC 
(Mr Bo Huang, Mckinsey and Company Singapore, Mr William Lim, Singapore Business Federation, Ms Rachel Lou, SP Department of Industry & Partnership, Mr Edmund Tan and Ms Teo Wei Ling, SP PACE Academy)

SP participated in a joint webinar with Singapore Business Federation and JTC to discuss the success drivers of I4.0 Transformation, and the key to Mindset Transformation and Skillset Transformation. 
PACE Academy also shared on Job Redesign via the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for I4.0 for existing workers of companies exploring opportunities to upskill and new hires undergoing skills conversion to enter a new industry. 
 
Innovation Centre for Additive Manufacturing (ICAM) Clinic Sessions by MAE
(Mr Cheung Kim Kwong, Manager, School of MAE (Innovation Centre for Additive Manufacturing), SP) 

Mr Cheung from SP School of MAE conducted a clinic to share more and address queries about ICAM, which aims to advance the technology and capability development of Additive Manufacturing for manufacturing industries.  

PACE Clinic Sessions on Job Redesign Reskilling CCP for I4.0
(Ms Zhuo Peifen, Assistant Manager, PACE Academy, SP)
 
Ms Zhuo from SP PACE Academy shared about the Job Redesign Reskilling CCP for I4.0 Professionals/Executives and Associates supported by SkillsFuture Singapore. This CCP is targeted to eliminate pain points of digital transformation, including employee skills gap and change management, and will benefit existing workers undergoing reskilling for higher value I4.0 related job roles and new hires undergoing skills conversion to join a new industry.

There are also funding schemes available to support companies who meet the eligibility criteria for the programme.

Process improvement through Robotic Process Automation by SP School of Business (Business Innovation Centre)
(Mr Tang Kah Heong, Senior Specialist (RPA), School of Business (Business Innovation Centre), SP)

Mr Tang from SP School of Business (Business Innovation Centre) elaborated on how businesses can leverage Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to automate manual and repetitive processes in different business areas to reap productivity gains. He also gave examples of success stories of SP partnering with industry partners in the implementation of RPA.

Company and Workforce Transformation (CWT) Clinic 
(Mr Ho Chii Wen, Consultant, CWT Programme)

SP also invited Mr Ho, a consultant from the CWT Programme, to share in detail the CWT Programme and its benefits in listening and understanding business and operation needs to recommend the appropriate programmes for businesses to consider.