Study Visit by the World Bank and African Education Policy Makers
A World-Class Vocational
Technical Education System
In Time For The Future
- The Singapore Experience
Dr Law Song Seng
Director & Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Technical Education, Singapore
22 Jun 2006
PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Part I - Development of Vocational and
Technical Education (VTE) in Singapore
Before Formation of ITE (1964 – 1992)

Part II - ITE Today:
Strategic Responses to Transform
VTE in a Global Economy (1992 – 2006)
2
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Part I Development of VTE
Before Formation of ITE
(1964 – 1992)
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
PHASES OF SINGAPORE’S DEVELOPMENT
1960s-70s
Independence &
Early Industrialisation
1980s-90s
2000s
Economic Restructuring (1980s)
Newly-Industrialised Economy (1990s)
Globalised and
Diversified Economy
Factor-Driven
Economy
Investment-Driven
Economy
Innovation-Driven
Economy
Labour Intensive
Capital Intensive
Knowledge Intensive
4
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
LABOUR-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1960s – 1970s)
Independence & Early Industrialisation (1960s – 1970s)
Singapore’s Economic and Manpower Strategies
•
•
•
Create employment through industrialisation
Attract foreign investment for export-oriented and labourintensive manufacturing
Ensure workforce has basic skills to support labourintensive manufacturing activities (eg. ship repairing,
turning and fitting, sheet metal work, radio & TV maintenance
and repair)
5
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
VTE STRATEGIES FOR
LABOUR-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1960s-1970s)
> Basic Skills Training for Early Industrialisation
•
•
•
Balestier
Trade School
1964 : Setting up of First Vocational Institute within the School
System (Balestier Trade School was reorganised into Singapore
Vocational Institute)
1968 : Formation of Technical Education Department (TED) under
Ministry of Education (MOE)
1969 : Transfer of Apprenticeship Schemes from Ministry of Labour
to TED
Singapore
Vocational Institute
6
Visit to Industry by
TED’s Director
Metal Fabrication and Metal Machining at
Singapore Vocational Institute (SVI)
Precision Engineering course
open to girls at Pasir Panjang VI
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
VTE STRATEGIES FOR
LABOUR-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1960s-1970s)
> Structured Pre-Employment Skills Training for Rapid Industralisation
•
•
•
•
1973 : Formation of Industrial Training Board (ITB)
1973 : Implementation of National Trade Certificate (NTC) at 3 levels:
semiskilled (NTC-3), skilled (NTC-2) and master craftsman (NTC-1)
Wide range of courses to support emerging industries (eg. Electrical and
Electronics, Metal and Mechanical Engineering, Heavy-duty Diesel and
Motor Vehicle Mechanics)
Setting up of Joint Government Training Centres (GTC) by Economic
Development Board (EDB) (eg. Tata-GTC, Rollei-GTC and Philips-GTC)
Mechanical Servicing
at Geylang Serai VI
Fashion Art & Tailoring
at Baharuddin VI
7
Motor Vehicle Mechanics
at Singapore VI
Heavy-duty Diesel Mechanics
at Bukit Merah VI
Tata-Government Training Centre
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
CAPITAL-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1980s)
Economic Restructuring (1980s)
Singapore’s Economic and Manpower Strategies (1980s)
•
Restructure economy into higher value-added, high technology
and more capital-intensive industries (eg. petrochemicals,
biotechnology, aerospace, information technology, as well as
manufacturing services like testing, financing, warehousing and
purchasing)
•
Ensure the workforce has the skills to support the move
towards more capital-intensive industries
8
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
VTE STRATEGIES FOR
CAPITAL-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1980s)
> Mass Skills Training and Workforce
Development
•
•
•
•
1979 : Amalgamation of ITB with Adult
Education Board to form Vocational &
Industrial Training Board (VITB)
Expanded range and higher-level NTC-2
Courses
Vocational & Industrial
Training Board (VITB)
Mechanical
Engineering (ITC)
Electrical Engineering (ITC)
1981 : Introduction of Business courses
[Certificate in Business Studies (CBS)]
1981 : Setting up of Centre of Vocational
Training within VITB to build expertise in
curriculum development, training of trainers
and instructional media development
Electronics Instrumentation
(NTC)
Mechanical Drafting (NTC)
CBS (Secretarial Practice)
9
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
VTE STRATEGIES FOR
CAPITAL-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1980s)
> Mass Skills Training and Workforce Development
•
1983 - 1991 : Introduction of new national training
programmes aimed at mature workers with little
education or technical training
 1983
 1986
 1987
 1991
•
BEST Class in Mathematics
Basic Education for Skills Training (BEST)
Modular Skills Training Scheme (MOST)
Worker Improvement through Secondary
Education (WISE)
Training Initiative for Mature Employees
(TIME)
1990 : Introduction of New Apprenticeship System to
strengthen institutional training component
10
MOST Course in
Electrical Engineering
Apprenticeship
off-the-job training at
Precision Optics Centre
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
CAPITAL-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1990s)
Newly-Industrialised and Developed Economy (1990s)
Singapore’s Economic & Manpower Strategies (1990s)
•
Emphasis on both the manufacturing and service sectors,
encouragement of local enterprises to diversify, upgrade and
develop into strong export-oriented companies and promotion of
regional investments
•
Develop manpower needed for the push to high technology and
knowledge-intensive products and services
11
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
VTE STRATEGIES FOR
KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE ECONOMY (1990s)
> Upgrading Vocational Education and Training for KnowledgeIntensive Economy
•
•
New education policy of minimum 10 years’ general education
1992 : Upgrading of VTE to post-secondary level through the
formation of Institute of Technical Education (ITE) (A network of
10 ITE Training Institutes)
Inauguration Ceremony
of the ITE ( 31 Mar 1992)
ITE MacPherson
12
ITE Bedok
ITE Clementi
ITE Headquarters
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Part II ITE Today
(1992 – 2006)
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
UNIQUENESS OF ITE

Focusing on career-based
vocational and technical
education

Catering to lower 25% - 30%
of secondary school cohort

Responding to dynamic
changes and challenges
impacting VTE
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A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
THE ITE HEARTBEAT
Mission
To create opportunities for
school leavers and adult learners
to acquire skills, knowledge and
values for lifelong learning in a
global economy
Vision
A Global Leader in
Technical Education
Values




Integrity
Teamwork
Excellence
Care
15
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Universities
Degree
National University of Singapore
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore Management University
Post-Secondary
Junior Colleges
Polytechnics
Institute of Technical Education
Diploma
General
Certificate
of Education
(Advanced
Level)
(25%)
Primary Secondary
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
University
ITE AS A POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION





Nanyang
Ngee Ann
Republic
Singapore
Temasek
(40%)
Secondary Special
( 4 Years )
Master Nitec
Higher Nitec
Other
Training
Providers/
Labour
Market
Nitec
(25%)
Secondary Express
( 4 Years )
(10%)
Secondary Normal
( 4 / 5 Years )
Primary ( 6 Years )
16
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
ITE’S STRATEGIC RESPONSES TO
TRANSFORM VTE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY
1) Developing a Relevant and Responsive VTE System
 Integrated and Holistic Strategic Planning Model
 Responsive “One ITE System, Three Colleges”
Governance Model
2) Creating a Unique “Hands-on, Minds-on, Hearts-on”
ITE College Education



Practice-Oriented Curriculum Model (Hands-on)
Process-Oriented Pedagogic Model (Minds-on)
Holistic Student Development (Hearts-on)
3) Enhancing the Attractiveness of ITE


Innovative Experience ITE Programme
Creative Rebranding of ITE
17
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Developing
a Relevant
& Responsive
VTE System
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
INTEGRATED AND HOLISTIC
STRATEGIC PLANNING MODEL
1) Relevance
2) Responsiveness
3) Resilience
Leadership
(with Consultation)
(A) Long-term Strategic Plan
• Mission, Vision, Values
• Goals, Strategies & Programmes
(B) Annual Corporate Work Plan
• Annual Corporate Theme
• Corporate Programmes & KPIs
(D) Establishment /
Individual Work Plan
• Programmes & KPIs
(C) Annual Functional Plans
Corporate Budget Plan
Establishment Budget Plan
Mid-term & Year-end Performance Review
Mid-term & Year-end
Performance Reviews
Corporate Level
Establishment / Individual Level
DEPLOYMENT
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A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
RESPONSIVE “ONE ITE SYSTEM, THREE COLLEGES”
GOVERNANCE MODEL
Yishun
New ITE College Central (2011)
New ITE College West (2009)
Bukit Batok
ITE Headquarters
Clementi
ITE College West
(Main Campus)
Ang Mo Kio
Bishan
ITE College West
(Balestier Main Campus)
Tampines
Bedok
ITE College East (2005)
Dover
ITE College Central
(MacPherson Main Campus)
ITE Headquarters
College Development Plan
Legend
ITE Headquarters
ITE College East
ITE College West
ITE College Central
MRT Route
20
– Simei Ave (2005)
– Choa Chu Kang (2009)
– Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 (2011)
ITE College East
ITE College Central
(Main Campus)
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
FIRST REGIONAL COLLEGE
- ITE COLLEGE EAST (JAN 2005)
General View
Business & Admin Blocks
Outdoor Sports Facilities
21
Multi-media Centre
Official Opening by Prime Minister (Mar 06)
ITE 77th Street Inc. Retail
Training Centre
Digital Media Lifestyle
Beauty Therapy Training Centre
Centre for Healthcare Simulation Training
(METI Laboratory)
ITE-Microsoft Info-Comm
Centre of Technology
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Creating a
Unique “Hands-on,
Minds-on, Hearts-on”
ITE College
Education
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
ITE’S “HANDS-ON, MINDS-ON, HEARTS-ON”
COLLEGE EDUCATION
“HANDS-ON”
Bio-Chemical Technology
“MINDS-ON”
Robotics
Nursing
HOLISTIC LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
Digital Media Design
“HEARTS-ON”
Community Service
ITE SAFE Home Project
Education Outcomes
1)
2)
23
Market-relevant,
Enterprising and
Adaptable
Graduates for a
Global Economy
Lifelong Learners
for Lifelong
Employability
Successful Graduates
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
PRACTICE-ORIENTED CURRICULUM MODEL
Core
8 Modules
Electives
2 Modules (Specialisation or
outside Specialisation)
Life Skills Modules
Life Skills
15%
Electives
5%
Core
80%
8 Modules
(Examples: Communication,
Thinking & Problem-Solving,
Sports and Wellness, Career
Development & Planning,
Customer Service)
The curriculum of a typical course comprises 70% practical training and
30% theoretical lessons
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A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
PROCESS-ORIENTED PEDAGOGIC MODEL
LEARNER
Technical,
Methodological
& Social
Competencies
PLAN
PERFORM
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PEPP MODEL
EXPLORE
PRACTISE
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
HOLISTIC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
< The New Paper
(2 Feb 05)
<
ITE SAFE Home
Programme
The Straits Times
(17 Dec 04)
Community Service
Project in Vietnam
Global
Education
Programme
Co-curricular Activities to Develop Students’ Talents and Interests
26
Real Work @ ITE
(ITE 77th Street Inc. Retail Training Centre)
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Enhancing
the
Attractiveness
of ITE
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
INNOVATIVE
EXPERIENCE ITE PROGRAMME


Two-Day Learning Adventure
for Secondary 2 and 3 students
(ITE potential customers)
“IRC On The Go”
“I Can Save Lives”
Projects

Automated Warehousing
Systems (Core)

“I Can Save Lives” (Elective)

“Street Smart” (Elective)

“Robot Racer” (Elective)

“Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
On The Go” (Elective)
“Street Smart”
“Robot Racer”
CCA Tours
Automated Warehousing Systems
28
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
CREATIVE REBRANDING OF ITE
“Thinking Hands
Create Success”
Branding
Campaign
Bus Advertisements
29
MRT Advertisements
Advertisements at MRT Gantries
A World-Class Vocational Technical Education System In Time For The Future
– The Singapore Experience
Thank You