Summarized from ST
27 Feb 2015

The monthly pay and job rotation are the main reasons that polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students would sign up for a new programme that gives them work experience as they study for advanced qualifications.

The new Earn and Learn initiative is among the Government’s series of measures to help workers develop industry-relevant skills. Under the new scheme, participants will be paid around $2,000 a month while being rotated among various roles in their chosen fields.

Sakae Holdings chairman Douglas Foo, 45, who was part of a committee that proposed the scheme, said: “If the students were to go out and find jobs on their own, they may have to prove their commitment to the job before their employers are willing to invest in training them. But under the new scheme, companies are committed to grooming their employees.”

A graduate may work for four days and study for one day. At the end of the scheme, an ITE graduate will receive a diploma, while a polytechnic graduate will obtain an advanced or specialist diploma.

The scheme will start with employers in four areas – logistics, food manufacturing, food and beverage, and retail. Other sectors will be included later.

Participating companies will receive grants of up to $15,000 per trainee to offset their costs.

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