Date Published: 29 Nov 2008
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish Singapore’s first Media Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre by 2011 was signed today between the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Singapore Media Academy (SMA), and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP).
“First-of-its-kind” strategic alliance among the private, public education and government sectors
This is the “first-of-its-kind” strategic alliance among the private, public education and government sectors to build a vibrant, market-responsive and quality-driven training ecosystem for the Singapore media workforce. Under this initiative, the Government is prepared to invest $40 million to help at least 3,000 media professionals upgrade their skills and advance their careers over the next five years.
Our local media companies and professionals can look forward to a CET Centre that will be modelled after globally renowned media training institutions with courses that are aligned to nationally-recognised CI WSQ framework and delivered by seasoned practitioners who are leaders in their fields. Training facilities will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies in visual effects production, non-linear online ready editing, audio recording, post-production, and video production capabilities to cater to media technical training such as High-Definition Cinematography and Production, specialized and applied soft skills training such as screenwriting, creative producing, production management, entertainment accounting; and new media training such as VFX pipeline supervision, 3D production, cross platform delivery. All of these courses will be subsidized up to 80% by WDA.
On the relevant training offered by the Media CET Centre, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Chief Executive of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, said: "WDA has been setting up CET Centres in various industries, to help raise the skills standards of the industries, and also provide workers direct access to subsidised and quality training. This project extends our CET strategy to the media sector. Through the Singapore Media Academy, we want to reach out to all workers in the media industry, help them keep up with technological changes, ensure that older and more experienced workers is able to pass on their skills to younger ones, so that overall the workforce becomes more skilled and capable. "
"The CI WSQ framework was developed with inputs from and validated by industry practitioners. The competency standards reflect the performance expectations at the workplace and as a result, the training programmes will meet employers' skills demands. The CI WSQ system facilitates systematic skills upgrading. The financial incentives in place will also make course fees more affordable for employers and individuals". Joel Lin, Executive Director, Imagine Omnimedia, and Member of Creative Industries Manpower Skills and Training Council.
MOU Details
This partnership among WDA, NP and SMA to establish a permanent media CET Centre signifies a meeting of minds between the public and private sector on the benefits to combine precious training expertise, share resources and infrastructure so as to better address the training needs of the media workforce.
The Singapore Media Academy or SMA, was recently appointed by the WDA to kickstart WSQ training for the media industry for 2 years. SMA will serve as the training and assessment centre and outreach to all employers to ensure that the curriculum design of its courses are able to meet the industry’s needs. Ngee Ann Polytechnic has a long standing track record in media training, since 1992. As an institute of higher learning, Ngee Ann’s strengths lie in her infrastructure, systems and quality assurance in training delivery. As a CET Centre, NP and SMA will carry extended responsibilities to serve the wider needs of the industry beyond training. The CET Centre will offer career and employment facilitation services to help workers seeking to join the industry.
"SPH supports the Government's efforts to develop a dedicated CET Centre to strengthen local media and journalistic talents. Having improved and lucid skills upgrading pathways will help employers attract, develop and retain talents. As an employer, SPH is committed to training our workforce and we will be pleased to tap on the courses offered by the Media CET Centre, especially in the area of print journalism." Mr Robin Hu, Executive Vice President , Chinese Newspapers Division & Newspaper Services Division, SPH
The Creative Industries Workforce Skills Qualifications is a national continuing education and training (CET) framework for professionals in the Arts & Culture, Design, and Media and Communications sectors. It was endorsed by the Creative Industries Skills and Manpower Council in September 2007, which comprises of creative practitioners, representatives from industry, and government agencies.
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