SIM University (UniSIM) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will offer new degree programs to allow undergraduates to alternate between studying and working.
The program will start on the second half of this year. About 65 places would be available under the SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree Programs, which would be piloted in those two universities.
SIT will have the new programs in information security, software engineering, hospitality business, electrical power engineering and civil engineering. These programs are open to the incoming first-year students, while those in their second year can apply for some of them.
In UniSIM the programs will be in finance and business analytic, to be opened to students in their second and third year.
The idea behind the program was first mentioned by Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung last June. Mr Ong had said, "Such programs will take the work-learn concept a step further, and have been implemented in countries in Europe and also in Canada," at SIT's graduation ceremony, where 82 accountancy students received inauguration.
There are already 12 organisations, including government agencies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and multinational corporations that will partner the two universities to jointly co-design the curriculum and assess potential candidates. Some of them are the Standard Chartered, Singapore Power and the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Applicants would be assessed on qualities such as good leadership track records, passion for the industry, and performance in entrance tests.
Participating organisations will also mentor and guide the students during on-the-job training, and credits will be given which will count towards their total credit required for graduation.
Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung had said in the parliament that Singapore should prioritise where are the economic activities, which sectors, which companies are hiring and then put very focused efforts to help workers pick up the skills so that they can take up the new jobs, in relation to the country’s effort to upskill employees and use of SkillsFuture Credits to train for alternative careers.
