Professional Conversion Programmes and Industry Advisors to help more PMETs

1. 1. Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETS) and mid-career switchers keen to enter the Manufacturing industry can look forward to greater career support through new industry initiatives announced by Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say at the Adapt & Grow Manufacturing Day & Technology Showcase held at the Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability (DNI) today. These initiatives include a SkillsFuture Career Advisor Programme and eight new Professional Conversion Programmes for the Manufacturing industry.

SkillsFuture Career Advisor Programme

2. To help PMETs and mid-career switchers better understand the Manufacturing industry, 75 industry veterans and leaders in their respective fields have volunteered to step forward under the SkillsFuture Career Advisor Programme for Manufacturing, across 10 manufacturing sectors, to share their knowledge and experience with graduating students, jobseekers and PMETs at various platforms organised by NTUC’s e2i (Employability and Employment Institute), and Workforce Singapore (WSG). PMETs interested in developing a career in manufacturing, who are either currently in the industry, or planning to join the industry, can tap on the deep knowledge and extensive experiences of these Career Advisors to map out their career path to up-skill, deep-skill or re-skill to be future-ready.

Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) for the Manufacturing Industry

3. To enhance the suite of existing PCPs for the Manufacturing industry, eight new PCPs covering the Precision Engineering Sector and Regional Operations or Technical roles for entry and mid-level PMET jobs were announced. PMETs and mid-career switchers can tap on the new PCPs, offered under the Adapt and Grow initiative, to acquire the necessary skills and competencies in the manufacturing industry. Companies participating in these PCPs will enjoy wage and training subsidies when they hire PMETs and mid-career switchers.

Technology Showcase and Career Fair

4. The Technology Showcase at the DNI exhibited how Industry 4.0 technologies helps companies harness robotics, automation and digitalisation in their work processes to transform the future of the manufacturing industry and create higher quality jobs. The Technology Showcase featured eight companies which demonstrated how their employees could carry out their work in a more effective and efficient manner, using Industry 4.0 technologies ranging from robotics, robotic-powered exoskeletons, augmented reality and automation systems. These create opportunities for career development and growth for employees, and at the accompanying Career Fair, over 900 vacancies were offered by 31 companies looking to fill positions such as Robotic Application Engineer, System Engineer and Technology Development Engineer at the career fair. All 31 employers are on board the Career Support Programme (CSP) and PCPs to help mid-career switchers and unemployed mature job seekers.
5. Mr Tan Choon Shian, Chief Executive of WSG said, “WSG will enhance our efforts to help jobseekers adapt to the changing employment landscape and enter sectors, including the Manufacturing industry, which have good jobs. The eight newly launched PCPs for the Manufacturing industry will prepare PMETs to take on quality jobs in the manufacturing sector as it continues its transformation towards Industry 4.0. Interested jobseekers can also better understand the industry requirements and career progression through the SkillsFuture Career Advisors Programme. We encourage companies, including SMEs, to tap on the various government initiatives to transform and grow through tapping on technology to become more manpower lean and create higher value-added jobs.”
6. Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive Officer of e2i said, “e2i is geared to help companies and workers harness the benefits of Industry 4.0. Being close to our employers, training providers and workers, we can enable professionals to stay updated and deepen their competencies to meet the industry needs; and partner companies on manpower and productivity solutions. Tapping on our extensive network, we gathered 75 industry mentors so that they can empower and benefit Singaporeans interested to join manufacturing by sharing insights and advice to help them make well-informed career choices and progress in their careers.”