Media Releases

Singapore, 30 July 2018 – Companies can now receive support in building up their work-learn capabilities and developing workplace learning systems with the launch of the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning (NACE). Led by Nanyang Polytechnic and supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), the Centre is a collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET) and the German Chamber of Industry & Commerce (IHK Akademie).

The Centre will provide the expertise to equip companies with the capability to train and develop their workers. This will be done through training and certifying trainers using best-in-class training practices and offering customised solutions to develop in-house training systems for companies.  It targets to help over 1,000 companies, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), build best practices in workplace learning and work-learn capabilities by 2023, thereby transforming these companies into learning workplaces. Grants will be provided to help employers defray the costs of developing such workplace learning capabilities.

NACE was launched by Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung, today at a visit to CHARLES & KEITH GROUP Headquarters. CHARLES & KEITH GROUP is among the first companies to collaborate with NACE to build up its workplace training capability.

Tapping on international expertise 

SFIVET and IHK Akademie are well regarded internationally for their focus on vocational education and training, and workplace learning systems. They have worked with notable companies across Europe, such as Nestle, Credit Suisse, Daimler and Siemens, to enhance their workplace learning processes, and through the collaboration with NACE, Singapore companies can similarly benefit from their expertise.

The collaboration between NACE, SFIVET and IHK Akademie will build a pool of skilled trainers who are capable of identifying and evaluating issues in their companies and providing customised training solutions. SFIVET and IHK Akademie will also share with NACE’s trainers their experience and expertise in training and building good in-house systems and processes which can be applied to Singaporean companies.

Trainers in participating companies can continue to upgrade themselves to become Specialist Trainers and ultimately Master Trainers, with internationally recognised certification from SFIVET or NACE.

Local companies can also participate in NACE’s learning journeys to gain insights and look at good practices on workplace implementation from best-in-class companies locally and overseas. Please refer to Annex A for more information on NACE.

Ms Jeanne Liew, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Nanyang Polytechnic, said, “Companies and employees constantly face the challenge of freeing up time for training. But with evolving technologies and business demands, it has become imperative that we address any mismatch between jobs and skills. With this approach, we can work with firms and tailor an approach that is structured and documented, yet has relevant and specific content to the company. We are honoured that SkillsFuture Singapore is working with us on this challenge.”

Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore, said, “Building workplace learning capabilities is critical especially in this age of disruption and transformation. With the setting up of NACE, we will draw on best practices from Switzerland and Germany, and strengthen the support available to companies, especially SMEs, to help them develop such in-house capabilities.”

Ms Chia Wai Jyy, Head of Human Resource of Global Talent Management and Mobility, CHARLES & KEITH GROUP, said, “Our people are our greatest asset and we believe in helping them to maximise their potential. Building a learning culture and fostering global talent mobility helps us to stay competitive in this volatile and uncertain global economy. Being an early adopter of NACE supports our current on-the-job trainings and enables us to build a learning academy that is on par with internationally recognised ones. We hope to enhance self-directed learning in our employees through NACE by adapting their training technology, framework and blueprints into our own workplace learning systems.”

Dr Cornelia Oertle, Director General of SFIVET said, “The collaboration between NYP and SFIVET has been exemplary from the beginning. SFIVET’s International Master Coach courses held in Singapore help companies to increase the awareness of workplace training and to develop the skills of their trainers.”

Dr Philippi, Executive Director of the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) said, “The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce is honoured and excited to be part of this special partnership between NYP and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Munich (IHK Munich) and SGC. The excellent knowledge of the German system by our partner NYP and our network in Germany allows us to establish a good co-operation for on-the-job training opportunities in Singapore, which can benefit many Singaporean companies and professionals. We are looking forward to being part of this partnership and to contribute to the professional training efforts in Singapore.”

About Nanyang Polytechnic

Established as an institution of higher learning in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NYP) seven academic schools offer quality education and training through more than 40 full-time diploma courses. NYP also has a full suite of continuing education (CET) options for lifelong learning, ranging from specialist and advanced diplomas, to SkillsFuture modules and courses. NYP’s Asian Culinary Institute and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies are CET institutes set up in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore to champion and transform Singapore’s F&B and retail sectors respectively.

Through its strong network of industry connections, NYP empowers learners for work and life through relevant curricula and deep capabilities. NYP strives to be the innovative polytechnic, creating a nexus of future-ready learners, ready to take on new challenges and contribute to growth and sustainability.   Nanyang Polytechnic is a recipient of Singapore’s top organisational and business excellence awards: the Singapore Quality Award, the Innovation Excellence Award and the People Excellence Award. 

About SkillsFuture Singapore

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) drives and coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement, promotes a culture of lifelong learning and strengthens the ecosystem of quality education and training in Singapore. Through a holistic system of national SkillsFuture initiatives, SSG enables Singaporeans to take charge of their learning journey in their pursuit of skills mastery. SSG also works with key stakeholders to ensure that students and adults have access to high quality and industry-relevant training that meet the demands of different sectors of the economy for an innovative and productive workforce. For more information, visit www.ssg.gov.sg

Annex A

FACTSHEET ON
NATIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR WORKPLACE LEARNING (NACE)

OBJECTIVES

To build work-learn capabilities and develop workplace learning infrastructure and processes for companies, including SMEs, enhancing their HR capabilities and transforming their HR practices through international best practices

To replicate best-in-class workplace training interventions, train and certify trainers and propose workplace training systems for companies, all of which will be jointly endorsed and certified by best-in-class institutions

To help spread awareness of best practices in workplace learning, conduct applied research and developmental studies on workplace learning

HOW COMPANIES CAN BENEFIT FROM WORKING WITH NACE

Greater productivity – A structured in-house training system will help employees adopt best practices, develop skills mastery and streamline work processes. Better productivity and employee satisfaction in turn translates to higher profitability and staff retention.

Increased manpower competitiveness – Having an effective, flexible and robust in-house training system and learning infrastructure allows the company to build a pool of trained manpower which in turn benefits both the company and the industry.
 

Partnership and collaboration with best-in-class organisations– NACE will draw on the expertise and best practices from international institutions, Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET) and the German Chamber of Industry & Commerce (IHK Akademie) – both international partners are well-regarded for their focus on vocational education and training, and workplace learning systems. These partnerships will enable local companies to infuse international best practices in the local workplace learning culture, allowing greater transfer in new technology, processes, knowledge and capability.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NACE’S KEY PARTNERS

Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

The Swiss Federal Institute of Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET) is the Swiss expert organisation for Vocational Education and Training (VET). It oversees VET practitioners, provides VET research and international education, develops careers and training cooperation. It serves as the Switzerland contact point for international cooperation and is the governmental centre of competence for the provision of tertiary-level training. The offices are located in Lausanne, Lugano, Olten, Zollikofen in Bern and Zurich.
 

SFIVET acts as an interface between trade associations, professional organisations and the 26 cantons (with hundreds of vocational schools and professional colleges). As a national institute, SFIVET plays an important role for these partners, acting as a central point of contact for all matters relating to development projects and the basic and continuing training of VET/PET professionals.

The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for Munich & The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry & Commerce (SGC)

The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria is the largest Chamber of Commerce and Industry nationwide with around 380,000 member companies. It is also one of the largest corporate networks in Europe. The chamber supports foreign trade promotion, vocational training, regional economic development, and the provision of general services to its members. It also has a consultative function, i.e. the chambers must be consulted whenever a new law related to industry or commerce is proposed.
 

The IHK Akademie is the vocational educational and training partner of IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria, offering over 600 in-house programmes and masterclasses which can be tailored to the needs of companies.
 

The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) is part of a network of 130 offices of the German bilateral Chambers of Industry and Commerce abroad in 90 countries. It is one of the largest national business chambers in Singapore and its mandate includes the provision of market research, the production, dissemination of publications, and coaching /advisory issues.