Aspire committee report: ITE, poly grads can work and study under place-and-train programme

A student taking Aerospace Avionics at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), rigs a flight control during a segment of aircraft maintainence as judges observe him at the Worldskills Singapore competition held on July 10, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK
A student taking Aerospace Avionics at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), rigs a flight control during a segment of aircraft maintainence as judges observe him at the Worldskills Singapore competition held on July 10, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

SINGAPORE - From 2016, pathways will open up for those who have completed basic studies at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics to work and further their qualifications at the same time.

Under the place-and-train programme - modelled after the Swiss and German apprenticeship schemes - they will be employed by companies and paid monthly salaries.They will undergo structured on-the-job training in the workplace, which will be complemented with classes at the ITE and polytechnics.

Trainees who were from the ITE can work towards higher level trade certificates and diplomas, while those from the polytechnics can aim for advanced and specialist diplomas.

The scheme can be organised differently, depending on the industry or type of job. An ITE trainee, for example, can work three days a week and study for a diploma two days a week, or he can alternate between three months of work and three months of study.

This is one of the key recommendations by the Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (Aspire) committee led by Senior Minister of State for Education Indranee Rajah.

The 10 recommendations released in its report on Monday range from providing education and career counselling for students to enhancing internships for ITE and polytechnic students. They are aimed at helping students make more informed education and career choices, strengthening technical and vocational education and providing further education and career progression pathways for those who have completed basic studies at ITE and polytechnics.


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