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Commentary
It’s time the polytechnic diploma got the recognition it deserves
Students seem to find diplomas more attractive. Employers discriminating against diploma holders risk missing out on talent.
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Polytechnics have been central to Singapore’s economic growth since the establishment of the first one – Singapore Polytechnic – in 1954.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
You might know someone like H. Diploma in hand, he entered the workforce early and built years of experience as a safety officer.
He knows his job and fixes real problems on-site. He kept upgrading, stacking certifications and attending courses to widen his skill sets. He also trains others. Now in his 30s, H feels stuck. It’s a feeling reinforced by promotions that pass him by, or a near-stagnant salary. Recently, he told me he has signed up for a part-time degree programme, fearing he has hit a career progression wall.
