Singapore's ITE, hub for skills training

Heard of a ‘paramedic simulation lab’ attached with an ambulance simulator? Or hands-on training for students on an aircraft or a ship? All these and more are part of the teaching tools and curriculum at the world-renowned Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore.

Established in 1992, the ITE is amongst the world leaders in providing quality training to the post-secondary students in the island nation. The institute, which has three impressive campuses in the country, is all set to welcome the Indian delegation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day visit to Singapore beginning November 23.

Started as post-secondary education institution, it provides two-year career-oriented technical education and training. It has full-time student enrolment of 28,000, part-time training placement of 24,000. Full-time staff strength is stands at 2,800.

The introduction of new cou-rse and reviews of existing courses, incorporating new skill-sets in ITE’s curriculum, are carried out with industry inputs. Staff and students are able to participate in industrial attachment and internship programmes at partners’ premises to enhance their current skills, as well as acquire new ones.

The ITE provides vocation education in 101 courses of 11 sectors. It boasts of expertise in applied and health sciences, busi-ness and services; design and media; engineering; hospitability; info-communications technology and life skills. Services include infrastructure development, leadership development, staff capability development, academic development, academic quality assurance, skills accreditation and certification.

Some of the courses include healthcare, aerospace, restaurant, hair styling and ship building. For its Centre for Health Care, the institute has procured a simulator from US and the students learn from the active dummy which responds to certain signals. As part of its training in restaurants, the students will have to work at the restaurant situated in ITE campus which is open to the public.

Lim Boon Tiong, Director, Asia Group, ITE Education Services told a group of visiting journalists from India: “We want our students to get hands-on training. That’s why you see a passenger aircraft, military aircraft, helicopter, ship etc, so that they are not struck by awe when they get a job.”

As the fame of ITE has spread far and wide, several countries across continents have struck partnership with the institute. Said Suresh Natarajan, Deputy Principal (Development), ITE: “We are working with 26 countries – mostly in Asia, Africa and Latin American – in different sectors. We focus on capability in skilled sectors. We have limited resources but don’t go knocking doors.”

ITEs in Delhi, Rajasthan

As regards India, the ITE has agreements with Delhi and Rajasthan governments. With Delhi government, it is providing assistance to the upcoming World Class Skill Centre. The agreement with Rajasthan government was signed recently to provide assistance to the Centre of Excellence in Tourism in Udaipur. Besides, the Andhra Pradesh government, to whose capital Amaravati Singapore is providing the design, has shown interest to tie up with ITE.

“During Modi’s visit, we will explore how best we can explore and expand collaboration with India. We are open to offer from any Indian state. No new MoU is likely in his trip but his visit to the ITE will be a landmark event for us,” Natarajan said.

To enhance staff professional capability and student learning, the ITE has established collaborations with overseas institutes from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, South Korea, Switzerland and the US as well as with prominent local industry leaders.

It started skills training centres in Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar and Philippines; assisted Panama to conceptualise, plan and design a new comprehensive campus; established a vocational training institute and put in place relevant technical and vocational education and training courses for  youth and adult learners in Jordan, Myanmar, Nigeria and Vietnam.

It also established the need for info-communications technology training in Mozambique while also licensing 50 reputable private schools to offer ITE courses and certifications in Singapore, China, Mauritius, Nepal and Vietnam etc.

“These global alliances and local industry tie-ups widen ITE’s network of strategic partnerships. Some of the industry collaborations have resulted in the setting up of centres of technology or centres of excellence in ITE colleges, providing staff and students a real work setting. Market leaders bring their latest technology, hardware, software and expertise into the colleges and further enhance the authentic learning environment,” Natarajan remarked.