Committee of Supply 2023 debate, Day 3: Gan Siow Huang on Nanyang Polytechnic in pilot as Jobs-Skills Integrator

Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) will be part of a Government pilot that aims to better coordinate training and fill jobs in precision engineering (PE), retail and wholesale trade. The polytechnic is the first Institute of Higher Learning to be part of the Jobs-Skills Integrator (JSIT) effort. Minister of State for Education Gan Siow Huang, who highlighted this initiative in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 28), said the polytechnic's School of Engineering will lead the effort. It has a centre for digital and precision engineering, which has been playing a key role in training students and adult learners for the sector. Over the years, it has established strong partnerships with various training providers, as well as industry stakeholders. Ms Gan pointed out that the PE sector has a high concentration of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mature workers. The sector is also known to have jobs and vacancies there are quite hard to fill. NYP will engage companies to understand their manpower and skills needs, and review existing training programmes to meet the needs of the sector. It will partner the Singapore Precision Engineering and Technology Association to engage companies and work with employment agencies and other training providers to enhance placement support and training for companies. Ms Gan said NYP can serve as a first "port of call" for advice on emerging skills needs and industry-relevant training programmes for workers. The pilot hopes to better meet the needs of industry for a skilled workforce, while enabling more workers to take up upskilling to meet their career aspirations and stay employable, she said.