Training individuals for IP or innovation roles

A new programme that trains people to help businesses translate their intellectual property (IP) and innovation expertise into products and assets has been launched.

A collaboration between Workforce Singapore and Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Ipos), the professional conversion programme for IP professionals hires and trains individuals for IP or innovation job roles in companies. It provides course fee and salary support to train individuals.

This programme is part of Ipos' ongoing efforts to prepare for rising demand for such expertise as projected in the Committee on the Future Economy report. Ipos cited studies showing jobs in IP-intensive industries pay 30 per cent more than jobs in other fields.

A new course, SIM University's (UniSIM) graduate programme in IP and innovation management, is offered under the programme. Designed for mid-career professionals, modules taken under the UniSIM course can lead to a master's degree or graduate diploma.

Applications for the first intake of the course will open on March 20 - till May 31. The first round of interviews and selection will be in April. The course starts in July.

"IP assets are key to an organisation's competitive edge and need to be managed appropriately. The launch of the (programme) is timely, as it helps employers access a pipeline of talent with IP skillsets, and at the same time provides mid-career professionals the opportunity to build careers in a growing sector," Mr Tan Choon Shian, chief executive of Workforce Singapore, said.

Ipos chief executive Daren Tang said: "Singapore needs people skilled in translating ideas and IP into products and assets. Such expertise... will be of immense value to any enterprise whose business model is centred around technology, brands, designs or content."

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 15, 2017, with the headline Training individuals for IP or innovation roles. Subscribe