Singapore, 29 November 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 subsidised 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 are 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.

For Media Interviews and Enquiries, please contact:

Samuel Seah

Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communications

Singapore Workforce Development Agency

DID: 6512 1046

Email: samuel_seah@wda.gov.sg 

About Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) enhances the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life, and advance with skills. This will in turn help our companies compete, and strengthen our economy.

In today's workplace, most jobs require knowledge as well as skills, which include the right attitude for the job, foundational and technical competencies. Many employers therefore look for and value workers with the right skills to do the job. Hence, WDA's role is to develop and strengthen skills-based training for adult workers to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives, over and above academic upgrading pathways.

To achieve this, WDA is developing a Continuing Education and Training (CET) infrastructure under the CET Masterplan, announced by the Prime Minister in Feb 2008. We work with many partners, including employers, industry associations, the Union and training organisations, to develop skills-based training that are relevant to industries, accessible and open to all in the workforce - young and old, from rank and file to professionals and executives.

A key initiative under the Masterplan is to continue to strengthen the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system as a national credentialling system for skills. WSQ is relevant to and recognised by industry, embraces adult learning principles, and provides means and pathway to help all workers learn for life, and advance with skills.

For more information, please visit http://www.wda.gov.sg

About Singapore Media Academy
Singapore Media Academy is an academy offering training, educational and consultancy services to address the needs of the local and regional media industries. Incorporated since November 2005, Singapore Media Academy consolidates over 40 years of expertise in Broadcasting and Managing Media in Singapore to provide training and qualification to media professionals, mid-career switchers and new industry talents through accredited, practical-based and market-relevant programs.

Singapore Media Academy embraces partnerships with international partners who share its mission of enhancing the professional competencies of media companies and industry talents through developmental and knowledge exchange opportunities. In addition, Singapore Media Academy actively seeks out collaboration with government agencies to nurture the formation of MediaHubs in Asia.

Enhancing the media competencies of non-media organizations and professionals is another key objective of Singapore Media Academy. Thus, Singapore Media Academy‘s training programs are also available to lay people who aspire to nurture their creative and artistic potentials, or improve their media savviness quotient through media-based training.

For more information, please visit http://www.eSMA.sg

About Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Ngee Ann Polytechnic is one of Singapore’s leading institutions of higher learning. The polytechnic offers both business-related and technology-based diploma and advanced diploma programmes. The polytechnic aims to provide relevant, balanced and value-added curricula by creating an effective teaching and learning environment. A key thrust for the polytechnic is forging partnerships with industry and other institutions in order to keep students close to current industry and market practices.

For more information, please visit http://www.np.edu.sg