#72 The Good Conversation @ ITE College Central 好对话 @ ITE Central 学院
On 1 September 2025, I had the opportunity to join The Good Conversation at ITE College Central, part of the Workforce Singapore Employers Connect Series. It was an inspiring afternoon of dialogue on talent development, workforce readiness, and partnerships that shape the future of employment in Singapore.
Guest of Honour Mr. Gabriel Lam, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC & COO of Shalom International Movers Pte Ltd, shared a strong endorsement: “If there is any resistance to hiring and partnering with ITE, we can be certain that the standards are remarkable and gaining traction with a healthy ecosystem.”
Building Future-Ready Talent
Mr. Parwinder Singh, Deputy Director of ITE College Central, introduced the One ITE System, Three Colleges Governance Model, comprising:
- ITE College West (Hospitality, Business & Services, Electronics & Infocomm Tech, Engineering)
- ITE College Central (Design & Media, Business & Services, Electronics & Infocomm Tech, Engineering)
- ITE College East (Health Sciences, Business & Services, Electronics & Infocomm Tech, Engineering)
By 2026, all Nitec and Higher Nitec courses will transition into a 3-Year Higher Nitec programme, further strengthening the learning journey.
ITE’s holistic model mirrors authentic workplaces; from culinary kitchens and automotive hubs, to aerospace hangars, healthcare labs, horticulture spaces, and sustainable solutions centres.
Global Diplomas, Local Impact
ITE offers two key pathways:
- Technical Diplomas in partnership with international institutions such as:
- Work-Study Diplomas (WSDip) – launched in 2018, allowing students to Work, Earn & Learn.
These programmes ensure students receive both world-class exposure and local industry relevance.
Work-Study Diplomas: Renewing & Rejuvenating the Workforce
Ms. Jolene Soh, Deputy Manager at ITE Headquarters, explained how WSDip helps companies recruit skilled graduates or upskill current employees while receiving SkillsFuture funding support.
The numbers speak volumes:
- >1,000 employers onboard
- >1,600 individuals enrolled
- 93.6% employer satisfaction
- 92.8% graduate employment rate
- $2,975 median salary
Notable employers such as SATS Ltd., Komoco Motors, and NCS Group shared success stories of integrating ITE-trained talent into their workforce.
Some of the valued WSDip partners include Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Resorts World Sentosa, Conrad Centennial Singapore, ST Logistics, SBS Transit, Seatrium, OTIS, CBRE, STMicroelectronics, and many others.
Adult Learning & Continuing Education
Dr. Derek Yeo, Divisional Director at ITE Headquarters, shared that adult learners are a growing part of ITE’s ecosystem. Popular CET programmes include Cybersecurity, Home Maintenance, Languages, Fitness & Grooming, and Aesthetics.
Through SkillsFuture subsidies and ITE’s flexible learning formats, lifelong learning is made practical and accessible for both employees and employers.
Employer Branding & Recruitment
Ms. Jenny Wee, BBM, Director & Co-founder of The Social Equity & goodjobs.com.sg, highlighted that employer branding is often the differentiator in attracting talent.
She compared how heritage brands like CYC Tailors (once known as Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s tailor) may not resonate with younger jobseekers, while lifestyle brands such as Pop Mart easily capture the youth segment.
The key takeaway? Companies must communicate their Employer Value Proposition (EVP) and widen their recruitment base to overcome today’s hiring and retention challenges.
She also invited companies to join the upcoming goodJobs Career Fair on 14 October 2025, following the success of last year’s edition that featured 35 hiring companies across 7 industries.
Panel Insights & Collaboration
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Parwinder Singh, joined by:
- Ms. Jenny Wee, BBM – The Social Equity & goodJobs
- Mr. Gabriel Lam – MP for Sembawang GRC & COO, Shalom International Movers
- Mr. Adrian Lee – Assistant Director, Industry Based Training, ITE Headquarters
- Dr. Derek Yeo – Divisional Director, Continuing Education & Training, ITE Headquarters
A highlight was the signing of a Letter of Collaboration between goodJobs and ITE, cementing stronger ties between employers and education.
A Glimpse of Tomorrow
The tour of ITE’s media and technology training facilities was truly forward-looking:
- Maritime engineering labs with Seatrium on 3D welding, battery management, and propulsion for electric vessels
- A User Experience Lab showcasing students’ 3D interactive animation on the future of shopping at Orchard Road and immersive exhibitions for the National Museum
These innovations are shaping how learning environments can prepare students for jobs that don’t yet exist today.
Final Thoughts
Hiring remains a challenge, but retention and workforce resilience can be achieved when employers partner with ITE. With structured pathways, industry collaborations, and international tie-ups, ITE continues to deliver Workplace Learning and Workforce Agility at scale.
The good conversation has only just begun; let’s keep building together.
For more interesting articles, please visit https://marvinfoo.com/blog
This article is also published on LinkedIn.
好对话 @ ITE Central 学院
2025 年 9 月 1 日，我有幸参加了在 ITE Central 学院 举办的 好对话 活动。这是劳动力发展局 (WSG) Employers Connect 系列的一部分，汇聚了教育界、产业界和雇主代表，共同探讨人才培养、劳动力准备以及未来就业生态。
当天的贵宾是 林伟杰先生，三巴旺集选区国会议员兼 Shalom International Movers 首席营运官。他强调： “若对与 ITE 合作仍有疑虑，可以放心，ITE 的标准是卓越的，并且已在一个健康的生态系统中稳步发展。”
培育未来技能人才
Parwinder Singh 先生，ITE Central 学院副院长，介绍了 “一所 ITE，三所学院” 治理模式：
- ITE College West（酒店与餐饮、商业与服务、电子与资讯科技、工程）
- ITE College Central（设计与媒体、商业与服务、电子与资讯科技、工程）
- ITE College East（健康科学、商业与服务、电子与资讯科技、工程）
到 2026 年，所有 Nitec 与 Higher Nitec 课程将统一转型为 三年制 Higher Nitec 课程，进一步优化学习路径。
ITE 的整体教学模式注重 模拟真实职场环境，例如：
- 烹饪厨房
- 汽车维修车间
- 航空航天实验室
- 医疗保健中心
- 可持续解决方案与园艺空间
国际文凭，本地价值
ITE 提供两条主要路径：
- 技术文凭 (Technical Diploma) —— 与国际知名院校合作：
- 工学并行文凭 (WSDip) —— 2018 年推出，实行 “边学边赚”，让学生在职场和课堂双轨学习。
工学并行文凭：更新与再造劳动力
苏玉玲女士（ITE 总部副经理）分享了 WSDip 如何帮助企业 招聘受训毕业生或提升现有员工技能，并可获得 SkillsFuture 资金支持。
📊 数据亮点：
- 超过 1,000 家雇主参与
- 超过 1,600 名学员在读
- 93.6% 雇主满意度
- 92.8% 毕业生就业率
- $2,975 薪资中位数
来自 SATS Ltd、Komoco Motors、NCS Pte Ltd 等企业的见证表明，ITE 人才已成为企业劳动力的重要补充。
部分重要合作伙伴包括：陈笃生医院、圣淘沙名胜世界、康莱德酒店、ST 物流、SBS Transit、Seatrium、OTIS、CBRE、意法半导体 等。
继续教育与成人学习
杨德烈博士（ITE 总部继续教育与培训部总监）指出，成人学习者在 ITE 的比例逐年上升。最受欢迎的 CET 课程包括：
- 网络安全
- 家居维修
- 语言课程
- 健身与形象管理
- 美容与美学
在 SkillsFuture 补助及灵活学习模式的支持下，终身学习变得切实可行，惠及雇主与雇员。
雇主品牌与招聘启示
Jenny Wee 女士 (BBM)，The Social Equity 与 goodJobs 联合创办人，指出：雇主品牌往往是吸引人才的关键。
例如：
- CYC 裁缝（曾为李光耀先生量身）在年轻人中已不再广为人知；
- Pop Mart 泡泡玛特 则凭借品牌影响力轻松吸引年轻人才。
她提醒企业必须明确传达 雇主价值主张 (EVP)，同时扩大招聘基础，以应对招聘与留才的双重挑战。
此外，她也邀请企业参加即将于 2025 年 10 月 14 日 举办的 goodJobs 招聘会。去年活动吸引了 7 个行业的 35 家企业参与，反响热烈。
圆桌讨论与合作签署
活动最后举行了 圆桌论坛，由 Parwinder Singh 先生主持，讨论嘉宾包括：
- Jenny Wee 女士 (BBM) – The Social Equity & goodJobs
- 林伟杰先生 – 国会议员 & Shalom International Movers 首席营运官
- Adrian Lee 先生 – ITE 总部产业培训副主任
- 杨德烈博士 – ITE 总部继续教育与培训部总监
同时，goodJobs 与 ITE 签署了 合作备忘录 (Letter of Collaboration)，进一步巩固雇主与教育机构的合作关系。
展望未来
参观 ITE 媒体与科技培训设施 的环节令人印象深刻：
- 与 Seatrium 合作的海事工程实验室 —— 3D 焊接、电池管理、电动船舶推进系统
- 用户体验实验室 —— 学生们展示了 乌节路未来购物体验 及 国家博物馆虚拟展览 的 3D 互动动画
这些创新展示了 ITE 如何帮助学生为 尚未出现的未来岗位 做好准备。
总结
招聘难，但通过与 ITE 合作，企业不仅能找到人才，还能通过完善的培养与关怀实现 留才与育才。
凭借 完善的课程体系、跨国合作与产业联盟，ITE 正在大规模地推动 职场学习与劳动力敏捷性。
这场 好对话 只是开始——让我们携手共建更强大的未来劳动力生态。
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