SINGAPORE - Polytechnic graduates will have more pathways to upgrade their skills and pursue university degrees, thanks to deals inked on Wednesday (May 24) under the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme (ELP).
Specialist diploma holders from all five local polytechnics who have studied in certain fields - such as hospitality, accountancy or supply chain management - will be able to count up to 20 credit units from their polytechnic studies towards a Bachelor's degree at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).
Temasek Polytechnic (TP) graduates with qualifications in building services, facilities and events management and infocommunications technology will also get to shave off as much as a year from their undergraduate studies at SUSS or the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).
Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung, who is also Second Minister for Defence, witnessed the agreements being signed.
He said that with the new partnerships, "there are more diverse pathways, there are more courses... that cater to adult workers in their [lifelong] learning".
As part of various 18-month ELPs, TP graduates will be able to take SUSS or SIT undergraduate modules while holding regular jobs.
The polytechnic has partnered 15 companies that have agreed to place and train its graduates, and is working to collaborate with more industry partners.
Should the TP graduates in these ELPs decide to enrol in SIT's sustainable infrastructure engineering (building services) degree, or SUSS' facilities and events management or information and communication techology degrees, they can count both the modules and the on-the-job training towards the graduation requirements.
Said TP principal and chief executive Peter Lam: "This way, besides receiving the necessary skills training, our ELP participants will also get a good idea of what university education is like."
Mr Lam added: "These collaborations are indicative of our commitment to the SkillsFuture movement. They underscore the dedication of the polytechnics and universities to ensuring that Singaporeans are employable over the course of their working life, and have access to opportunities to realise their potential."
