30/07/2018

Over 1,000 Local Companies To Benefit From The National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning by 2023

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. CHARLES & KEITH GROUP is among the first companies to collaborate with NACE to build up its workplace training capability.

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.”

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