17/10/2018

New Advanced Manufacturing Continuing Education And Training Strategy To Prepare The Workforce For Industry 4.0

The Advanced Manufacturing CET Strategy

1.         The new Advanced Manufacturing (AM) continuing education and training (CET) strategy comprises key initiatives that cover talent attraction, retention and skills development to ensure a skilled and ready Singapore AM workforce. The AM CET strategy is developed by SSG in consultation with lead agencies, industry partners, unions, and education and training providers.

2.         The following are the key enablers of the AM CET strategy:

1. SkillsFuture Series in Advanced Manufacturing

   Delivered by the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and quality training providers, courses are aligned to the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index to upskill and reskill existing workforce in areas such as Automation, Connectivity and Intelligence.

    

2. Simulated Production Environments

   More platforms for enterprises and their workforce to experiment and test-bed advanced manufacturing technologies through simulated production environments, such as innovation labs jointly set up with IHLs and A*STAR’s factories of the future.

    

3. Process Redesign Programmes

   Enterprise and productivity innovation programmes to help companies redesign their processes to support automation and digitalisation. The programmes include SME Qiang, Operations Management Innovation (OMNI) and LEAN Manufacturing.

    

4. Talent Attraction Programmes

           Partnerships with employers through work-learn programmes, such as SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programmes, Adapt and Grow Professional Conversion Programmes and SkillsFuture Work-Learn Bootcamp, to groom and grow AM talent. 

New partnerships to support of the AM CET strategy

3.         Partnerships with relevant stakeholders are key contributors to skills development. The IHLs are engaging industry partners to jointly identify skills gaps, curate and develop innovative and relevant learning solutions. Two new collaborations are announced at ITAP 2018:

1. Collaboration between Temasek Polytechnic and Harbin Institute of Technology Robot Group to provide platforms for experimentation and test-bedding

Temasek Polytechnic (TP) has engaged China-based organisation, the Harbin Institute of Technology Robot Group (HRG)^[1], to set up the TP-HRG Robotic Training Lab within the campus. This will help TP further build upon its current capabilities in facilities and equipment, and the competencies of their staff.

• More micro-learning courses on industrial robotics and automation operating skills curated from actual projects for better training and upskilling of workers.

TP will leverage HRG’s micro-learning courses for all models of industrial robots to expand their course offerings. Currently, TP offers nine Basic, 12 Intermediate and seven Advanced SkillsFuture Series courses, and another five post-diploma courses in the area of AM. The collaboration will enable the current course curriculum to be strengthened with case-studies, based on HRG’s projects.

TP will also expand its SkillsFuture Series AM courses to include industrial robotics, smart manufacturing systems and automation operating skills across basic and intermediate levels. These will be implemented using a customised training system designed jointly by TP and HRG. 

• Training facility to provide coaching, mentorship and consultancy to trainers.

TP will tap HRG’s capabilities and expertise during Train-the-Trainer sessions and industrial attachment programmes. TP faculty will be equipped with skillsets to provide expert advice on the deployment and implementation of industry 4.0 solutions. Coupled with relevant training that is aligned with the Skills Frameworks, this will help accelerate SME adoption of AM systems and processes, and improve local manpower development.

1. Singapore Polytechnic and Univac Precision Engineering Pte Ltd develop flexible workplace learning model to propel precision engineering companies towards Industry 4.0

Companies adopting AM technologies face challenges in upskilling and reskilling workers due to workplace needs. To address these challenges, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with a leading local enterprise, Univac Precision Engineering Pte Ltd (UNIVAC), to develop an innovative Workplace Learning Model (WLM) for all levels of staff. This WLM includes customised training plans at an individual and organisational level, based on the Skills Frameworks, and on-site learning methods for its employees.

• Support workplace learning through 10 micro-learning AM modules.

SP will roll out 10 online micro-learning modules to prepare UNIVAC employees for Industry 4.0. These are aligned to the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index and are tailored according to the requirements of different AM job roles to enhance the effectiveness of skills application and retention. Designed to allow employees the convenience of learning at work so they do not have to leave office for training, these modules are available on a weekly basis, and employees only need to spend up to 15 minutes a week, for a span of three weeks, to complete each module. They will be able to quickly apply what they have learnt in their daily work, and give immediate feedback on the course materials.

After completing the 10 micro-learning modules, employees will understand and appreciate the benefits of AM in various industries, how it complements their current role and also earn a Certificate of Completion awarded by SP.

• Training for UNIVAC supervisors in workplace learning and coaching.

UNIVAC supervisors will also undergo a Train-the-Trainer programme to equip them with knowledge and skills to identify potential learning gaps and introduce quick interventions that can help close the skills gap. Supervisors will be able to make use of job aids, such as knowledge wikis, infographics on procedures, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality and mentoring techniques to quickly train the employees in new skills.

By equipping their supervisors with workplace learning capabilities, companies can quickly design and implement AM workplace learning to help their workers upskill and re-skill, while leveraging on existing resources and systems within the workplace.

• Scale WLM to Precision Engineering sector so that other companies can access these content and accelerate their AM transformation.

There is potential for these micro-learning AM modules and Train-the-Trainer programme to benefit other companies facing similar workforce challenges. Using UNIVAC as a base, SP aims to roll out the WLM to at least 50 Precision Engineering companies over the next two years, to better transform their existing work processes and drive the development and upskilling of their workforce. UNIVAC is also committed to share relevant content with other companies in the Precision Engineering sector, so that other companies can access these content to help expedite their AM transformation.

^[1] The HRG is a high-tech enterprise and is primarily engaged for its expertise in robotics.  It is highly invested in intelligent plant projects and technology transfer as well as consultancy services. The Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is a leading university in China. HIT is a member of China’s elite C9 League, an alliance of nine elite and prestigious universities in China and is recognised for their strengths in engineering.