This partnership sets a solid foundation to provide technology courses enhanced with case-studies and hands-on lab sessions for manufacturing PMETs from various industry clusters to meet the technology and skills gaps (see Annex A).
268 graduands from 126 organisations for the six PE WSQ training programmes in manufacturing processes, mechatronics, precision measurements, medtech and manufacturing operation management received their diplomas from Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Chief Executive of WDA. An inaugural award for the SIMTech Best WSQ Industry Partner and Most Inspiring WSQ Trainee were also conferred.
Success Stories
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In recognition of the companies that have given strong support to the WSQ programmes conducted by SIMTech, the Best WSQ Industry Partner Award is presented to First Engineering; Makino Asia and Manufacturing Integration Technology. These companies have sent many of their PMETs for upgrading and applying the technology and skills in their organisations. The ‘Most Inspiring WSQ Trainee Award’ seeks to recognise trainees who have made significant progress in their careers and have deployed the knowledge learnt to make improvements in their organisations, resulting in benefits such as improvement in productivity and profitability. The winners of the ‘Most Inspiring WSQ Trainee Award’ are Mr Leslie Tan, Managing Director of Royal Bussan Singapore; Mr Jeffrey Choo, Senior Sales Engineer of LT Bimetallic Engineering Singapore and Mr Andre Castillo, Principal Engineer of Manufacturing Integration Technology (see Annex B).
The 3 winners, like all the other trainees, have benefitted from the WSQ Courses. Mr Leslie Tan moved from being a Business Manager in a hard disk drive manufacturing company to become the Managing Director of Royal Bussan Singapore, a medical device company after he completed the PE WSQ Graduate Diploma in MedTech Manufacturing. The company will be expanding their business by introducing a new type of hearing aid in Singapore. Mr Jeffrey Choo, who completed the PE WSQ Specialist Diploma in Precision Engineering Programme, has been promoted and his job scope has expanded, while Mr Andre Castillo is able to integrate his knowledge in mechanics, electronics, control theory and computer science to design smaller and more reliable machines on completing the PE WSQ Graduate Diploma in Mechatronics Programme.
“SIMTech has been WDA’s Continuing Education and Training partner since 2007, and our partnership has led to a range of productivity-focused WSQ programmes for PMETs in the PE industry. Through such programmes, trainees are able to acquire specialised skills that are highly valued by employers and the industry. WDA offers its heartiest congratulations to the graduands and award winners, and we look forward to further collaborations with SIMTech to deliver more leading-edge programmes that support the growth of the manufacturing sector,” said Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Chief Executive, WDA.
New Training Initiatives
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Knowledge transfer through the systematic manpower development programme is a strategic drive to improve manufacturing productivity and upgrade workforce skills of PMETs for long-term sustainability and competitiveness. To meet the future needs of the workforce, WDA and SIMTech will be developing nine new training programmes which include Master Classes to meet the emerging needs of companies and PMETs (see Annex C for details).
Commented Dr Lim Ser Yong, SIMTech’s Executive Director, “SIMTech’s training courses are unique as they are enhanced by case studies derived from our extensive experience in applying technologies to solve manufacturing problems for the local industry. The courses are conducted with hands-on practices in our state-of-the-art manufacturing research facilities. We are excited to share our knowledge and experience in the latest manufacturing technologies through these training courses to deepen the technologies expertise and skills of PMETS and to accelerate the transfer of new technologies and knowledge from research labs to the industry.”
Full press release with appendix can be accessed using the link below.
For media queries, please contact:
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Ms Lee Swee Heng
For Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)
DID: 6793 8368 Mobile: 9620 3902
Email: [email protected]
Mr Steven Ng
For Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
DID: 6512 1241 Mobile: 9850 3367
Email: [email protected]
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
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The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia and centres, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity.
A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, and with other local and international partners.
For more information, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg (please see below)
About the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech)
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The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). SIMTech develops high value manufacturing technology and human capital to contribute to the competitiveness of the Singapore industry. It collaborates with multinational and local companies in the precision engineering, electronics, semiconductor, medical technology, aerospace, automotive, marine, logistics and other sectors.
For more information, please visit www.SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg
About the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
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The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) enhances the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life and advance with skills. In today's economy, most jobs require not just knowledge, but also skills. WDA collaborates with employers, industry associations, the Union and training organisations, to develop and strengthen the Continuing Education and Training system that is skills-based, open and accessible, as a mainstream pathway for all workers - young and older, from rank and file to professionals and executives - to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives.
For more information, please visit www.wda.gov.sg
