Vocational education in Singapore
Vocational education is the training and education that aims to provide people with knowledge, know-how, skills, and/or competencies relevant to a certain occupation and/or the labor market in general (Eqavet.eu, 2017). It can also be defined as any type of training that allows students or employees to gain technical knowledge and skills. To produce skilled labor force in Singapore, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and 5 polytechnics primarily provide vocational education (Anon, 2017). ITE provides pre-employment vocational and technical training to both secondary school leavers and continuing education to adults. (Anon, 2017). Other functions of ITE includes worker skill training, customized skills training, certified on job training, apprenticeship training, and responsibility for conducting national certification and public trade tests. (Law, 2017)
Graduating from ITE and joining the workforce
In Singapore, after graduating from ITE, one is fit to join the workforce since they possess skills in for example Design& Media, Business & services etc. or may decide to join one of the 5 polytechnics to specialize in their field of interest.
Value of vocational and technical skills in Singapore
The country highly value vocational and technical skills as they form the backbone of their economic development (Ncee.org, 2017). Polytechnics in Singapore offers nearly 150 diploma programs and closely connected with industries to facilitate provision of knowledge and skills so as to change and grow alongside country's economy. The Singaporean government has continued to empower and strengthen vocational education programs.
Advantages of vocational education
Vocational education has played diverse role in the economy. It has several advantages including:
- The training focuses on practical skills that are applicable in the job market immediately. Students in Singapore are equipped with practical skills in areas such as Design, engineering etc. which are expendable in the job market.
- Vocational training and education produces multi-skilled workforce for the country. Graduates possess competencies applicable for a range of labor situations and occupation.
- Vocational training shapes identity, and give meaning to life. It helps eradicate unemployment through training and career upgrading. This lifts country's economy.
- Ease of curriculum offered at the vocational centers is a great advantage. In Singapore, ITE offers flexible diploma courses. The time frame and cost of the training is reduced hence supplying timely-skilled workforce to the economy.
- There is increased productivity in an economy.
Challenges facing vocational training in Singapore
The main challenge facing vocational training in Singapore is the instability of the labor market and changing labor situations. This can be attributed to rapid economic shift form economic restructuring (1990's) through newly industrialized to globalized& diversified(2000's) economy. This paradigm economic changes have destabilized the labor market as skills are rendered unnecessary/obsolete in a short duration.
Response to labor market challenges
In response to this, WSG have responded to ensure enhancement of better competition and career resilience in workforce. It has enabled workforce, regardless of starting qualification, to continue to build and deepen skills and competences throughout their careers.
Conclusion
Vocational education in Singapore has been on the forefront in its paradigm economic development. ITE and the 5 polytechnics in the country mostly provides education and training ranging from engineering, to business to medicine fields. This has provided the economy with highly competent and skilled labor able to expend to facilitate economic growth. The initiative has some challenges as well as advantages including labor instability and practicality of skills. It is also time effective and enhances economic growth. Labor issues in Singapore are regulated by WSG.
References
Law, S. (2017). Dynamics and Challenges of a Vocational Training System--The Singapore Experience. ITE Paper No. 2.. [online] Eric.ed.gov. Available at: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED414409 [Accessed 9 Feb. 2017].
Ncee.org. (2017). NCEE | Singapore: School-to-Work Transition. [online] Available at: http://ncee.org/what-we-do/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/singapore-overview/singapore-school-to-work-transition/ [Accessed 9 Feb. 2017].
Eqavet.eu. (2017). Vocational education and training (VET). [online] Available at: http://www.eqavet.eu/qa/gns/glossary/v/vocational-education-and-training.aspx [Accessed 9 Feb. 2017].
Anon, (n.d.). [online] Available at: http://seatvet.seameo.org/template/docs/TVET_Singapore_2015.pdf [Accessed 9 Feb. 2017].
