New Programme Allows Poly Students To Finish University Faster And Get Jobs
Students face a great deal of stress when it comes to securing a place in any of Singapore’s universities.
For polytechnic students, in particular, their 3-year programme puts them a year behind their peers from junior colleges.
However, some poly students need not worry about ‘lagging behind’ with the new through-train programme which allows them to finish university a year earlier and secure a job after that.
“Through-train” programme will start early 2020
On Friday (12 July), Education Minister Ong Ye Kung announced the launch of the 5-year “Work Study Degree Programme” that will commence early 2020.
Poly students under this programme will have to take at least 3 university modules in the final year. They will also have to undergo an internship with their sponsoring company.
After their diplomas programmes, students will pursue their undergraduate degrees while working simultaneously for the same company.
Once they graduate from university, students will return to the same company as full-time employees.
Win-win situation for undergrads and employer
For starters, Temasek Polytechnic (TP) has collaborated with 2 Singapore universities to offer this new pathway to 40 students from the building services and mechatronics sectors.
Given that certain sectors in Singapore are facing a shortage of manpower, this programme caters not only to the needs of poly students seeking university degrees but also employers’ needs of trained manpower.
Students will be ‘scouted
Students chosen for this pathway will be assessed based on their interest in the industry and their overall academic performance.
They will only be offered the programme only after making it through interviews with the selected universities.
Hopefully, this programme will help elevate poly students stress’s stemming from uncertainties about securing a place in a university and a job later on.
If the programme turns out to be successful, both students and employers can benefit greatly.
Featured image from The Straits Times.Â
