The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has collaborated with the industry to offer a new composite skills assessment under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system, the WDA said in a press release on Tuesday.

Currently, workers take the WSQ Assessment-Only-Pathway (AOP) route where they have to complete a skill test covering each WSQ module. This typically takes up to a week and workers' prior work experience is taken into account in certifying their skill levels.

The composite assessment now available means that workers now only need to take up a composite skills assessment comprising five WSQ modules. For now, only the composite assessment for the manufacturing sector is available. Workers involved in precision work, or process control, or integrated assembly can now obtain a WSQ Certificate in Generic Manufacturing Skills.

'As part of tripartite collaboration, WDA is also working closely with the NTUC to assist in the upgrading and placements of workers and jobseekers in the manufacturing sectors via this scheme,' the WDA said.

Composite assessments for other sectors, such as landscape, retail, food & beverage service and hotel, are being developed and will be rolled out later in the year.

The composite assessments will be administered by WDA-appointed assessment centres for each sector.

'With more of such assessments, experienced workers will be able to obtain national credentials, without having to undergo training,' the WDA said.

Employers can apply for funding assistance from the Skills Development Fund (SDF) for Singaporean and Permanent Resident workers who go through the composite assessment.

The certification issued is also recognised by the Ministry of Manpower in assessing work pass eligibility. This means that foreign workers who obtain a composite assessment certificate may upgrade their work permit status from unskilled to skilled.