To meet the rising demand for skilled talent amid the growing number of Singapore facilities with advanced manufacturing capabilities, JTC and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have partnered manufacturing companies to train undergraduates in advanced manufacturing. Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, Mr Chee Hong Tat launched the NTU-JTC Industry Talent Development Programme at the inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Day in Jurong Innovation District.
The programme strengthens industry-academia collaboration where companies will have early access to talent, while undergraduates will have increased opportunities for learning and early exposure to the Industry 4.0 work environment. The collaboration between JTC, NTU and manufacturing companies sees industry and academia pool resources and expertise, and share practical applications of advanced manufacturing technologies through internships and projects.
Mr Ng Lang, Chief Executive Officer of JTC, said, “Manufacturing is at a pivotal phase of transformation, largely driven by digitalisation. The advent of technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics is increasing the demand for higher skilled manpower to manage such technologies. This programme gives companies access to young talent at an early stage, while building up a pipeline for the growing advanced manufacturing ecosystem in Jurong Innovation District, and beyond.”.
NTU is sited within Jurong Innovation District where an ecosystem of manufacturers, R&D institutions, industry enablers, innovation adopters and training providers is shaping up well. This new programme taps NTU’s undergraduates participating in the seven work-study degree programmes and co-operative education track, aimed at deepening students’ industry exposure. Over 200 NTU students are expected to benefit from this programme in the first two years.
Professor Ling San, NTU Provost and Vice President (Academic), said, “As NTU nurtures students to tackle the challenges in an Industry 4.0 work environment, collaborations with industry partners become increasingly important. The new programme adds to NTU’s offerings of work and learn initiatives, and is yet another example of the university’s close links to industry. It is a win-win formula – our students get to learn the ropes from our partner companies’ wealth of experience, and at the same time, the advanced manufacturing sector continues to see a steady stream of skilled talent to meet rising demand.”
The inaugural batch of advanced manufacturing companies participating in the programme include the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech); Bosch Rexroth; ISDN Software; Konica Minolta; Delta Electronics; PBA Group; Shimano Singapore; and Sodick Singapore Techno Centre (SSTC). JTC and NTU welcome more industry players to indicate their interest to be part of this programme.
The programme was launched at the first edition of JTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Day at Jurong Innovation District. Advanced Manufacturing Day brings together the community of manufacturers, technology providers, research institutes and education institutions to exchange ideas and foster new partnerships.
