28 December 2019
The Ministry of Education wants more Singapore students to be able to experience the work-study pathway.
Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said a reversion to basics across industries can be seen today as a result of widespread technological disruption.
For the education sector, this means reinforcing the apprenticeship model, which is the transfer of skills, wisdom and values from master to disciple.
Mr Ong said: “People sometimes have the wrong idea that (the apprenticeship) system is rigid and inflexible. I think, to the contrary, that the mastery of skills, and especially the basic core competencies, is what makes somebody adaptable in the face of changes.”
The Institute of Technical Education has done its part to boost the apprenticeship model in its educational programmes. ITE launched its work-study diplomas in April last year to give its graduates an alternative pathway to upskill themselves. The work-study stints typically last between 2 and a half to three years, with 70 per cent of curriculum time conducted at the workplace.