NTUC Collaborates With Singapore Polytechnic To Equip Workers With Skills To Operate Smart Technologies And Help Companies Move Towards Industy 4.0
08 Oct 2018
NTUC COLLABORATES WITH SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC TO EQUIP WORKERS WITH SKILLS TO OPERATE SMART TECHNOLOGIES AND HELP COMPANIES MOVE TOWARDS INDUSTRY 4.0
Targeting to impact 1,000 workers, this is the first of a series of collaborations to bring learning and training closer to workers across Singapore.
1. As part of the Labour Movement’s efforts to rally workers and companies towards Industry 4.0, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Electronics & Precision & Machinery Engineering (EPME) Cluster and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) jointly launched the inaugural EPME Month last year. In line with the Industry Transformation Maps and as a continuation of the Labour Movement’s efforts to effect transformation on the ground, EPME Month 2018 was launched today at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability.
2. The aim of EPME Month is to help EPME workers better understand and learn more about Industry 4.0 so that they can take advantage of opportunities brought about by industrial transformation. In line with the theme for this year’s EPME Month – Embarking on Industry 4.0 through Smart Technologies – NTUC EPME Cluster and e2i signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Singapore Polytechnic (SP) to establish deeper industry collaborations, equip workers with the necessary skill sets to operate smart technologies and leverage SP’s capabilities to help companies move towards Industry 4.0. This collaboration targets to benefit 1,000 EPME workers.
3. The MOU will cover the following areas of collaboration:
a. NTUC will work with SP through SP PACE Academy to develop Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing training and certification programmes. EPME workers will also go through a skills profile analysis where skills gaps will be identified so that they can go for the necessary and relevant training to bridge these gaps.
b. To encourage greater adoption of smart technology, companies in the EPME cluster can work with SP on pilot projects to co-creation solutions in advance manufacturing. For the small and medium-sized companies that may not have the resources to perform in-house prototyping or build innovation labs, it will be especially useful for them to leverage SP’s facilities and technical knowledge to trial new equipment or software.
c. Learning journeys to first-mover companies will be jointly organised by NTUC and SP to enable workers and management partners to learn more about Industry 4.0 and best practices in the EPME sector.
4. NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Supervising Lead of NTUC EPME Cluster Mr Melvin Yong said, “NTUC is glad to partner e2i and SP to help workers as well as companies better understand what exactly is Industry 4.0 and how they can capitalise these opportunities to move into higher value-added manufacturing. This collaboration is the first of a series of collaborations where you will see NTUC partnering different institutes of higher learning to bring learning and training closer to workers across Singapore, making it easier for them to upskill and upgrade.”
5. e2i’s CEO who is also NTUC Assistant Director-General Mr Gilbert Tan said, “Today’s business landscape is moving at a rapid pace. As companies explore and embark on smart technologies to automate operations and processes to improve efficiency, it is important we do not leave out the workers. e2i will be working closely with NTUC EPME Cluster and our industry partners to strengthen the skills and competencies of the sector’s workforce so that they are equipped with critical and new skills to prepare them for the future of work as the manufacturing industry transforms.”
6. SP’s Deputy Principal (Development) Mr Hee Joh Liang said, “SP is excited to collaborate with NTUC and e2i, and to take on an active role in helping workers and partnering companies to navigate the changing landscape. We have committed resources, be it in technology, human capital or physical infrastructure, to put ourselves in a position ready to embrace the next industrial revolution. Together with NTUC and e2i, we invite workers and companies to be part of the journey with us.”
About National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions as well as a network of professional associations and partners across all sectors in Singapore. NTUC's objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and working people remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and wellbeing of our members and working people; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement. NTUC's vision is to be an inclusive labour movement for all collars, ages and nationalities. NTUC is at the heart of the Labour Movement, which comprises 58 affiliated unions, three affiliated associations, 10 social enterprises, six related organisations as well as a growing ecosystem of U Associates and enterprise partners. For more details on NTUC, please visit our website at www.ntuc.org.sg.
About NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)
e2i is the empowering network for individuals and companies seeking skills and solutions for growth. Since 2008, e2i has assisted more than 500,000 individuals through our career guidance, professional development and job matching services. With an extensive network of partners, e2i offers hiring, training and productivity solutions to businesses. We are an initiative of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to support nation-wide manpower and skills upgrading initiatives. For more information, please visit www.e2i.com.sg.
About Singapore Polytechnic
Established in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is Singapore’s first polytechnic. It has 10 schools that offer 40 full-time diploma courses and 3 common entry programmes for close to 17,000 students. SP adopts a proven creative teaching and learning framework and offers students a holistic, authentic and industry-relevant curriculum, innovative and vibrant learning spaces, and enriching overseas programmes.
The Polytechnic is committed to producing competent and versatile graduates who are also imbued with sound values, so that they can be work ready, life ready and world-ready. SP has more than 200,000 graduates and among them are successful entrepreneurs, top executives in multi-national and public-listed corporations, and well-known professionals across various industries and leaders in government.
SP clinched the inaugural ASEAN People’s Award in 2015 for its contributions toward the region’s community-building efforts. SP is also the first polytechnic to be awarded the President’s Award for the Environment in 2010 and the President's Social Service Award in 2011.
Follow SP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/singaporepolytechnic and Twitter and Instagram at @singaporepoly.
For media queries, please contact:
Khoo Xi Ying Consultant,
Corporate Communications, NTUC
Mobile: 9150 7218
Email: xiying_khoo@ntuc.org.sg
Jurcannie Yeong
Senior Specialist, Communications & Partnerships, e2i
Mobile: 9734 8691
Email: jurcannie_yeong@e2i.com.sg
Deanna Bonaparte
Communications Executive, Singapore Polytechnic
Mobile: 9270 1790
Email: Deanna_Bonaparte@sp.edu.sg