Is Part-Time Study Enough?

Singapore has just recently launched its SkillsFuture programme. This allows Singaporeans that are aged 25 and above - or basically in their ripe professional years - to take new courses and expand their skill sets. This is through taking full-time courses or part time studies in Singapore.

This allows them to improve on their current job, or look for opportunities in other fields. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has established a series of roadshows to demonstrate the wonders that is lifelong learning and the potential of SkillsFuture.

Singaporeans that are either new to the job market, someone who wants to get back to work, or a retiree looking for extra sources of income may finally avail the credits and embark on a new journey to learn.

However, some wonder about the true effectiveness of part-time learning and the SkillsFuture programme as a whole.

The entire S$1-billion programme rests on the objective of ensuring Singaporeans are always ready to take on the heavy responsibility of lifelong learning. This strengthens the workplace and provides more opportunities for Singapore's workforce to be powered by professionals.

The Online Citizen quote the Strait Times in saying that the SkillsFuture scheme will allow more to finally get the nudge to explore careers they want to try out.

Others are encouraged to try new courses due to the volatility of the market. After all, if anything happens to a primary job, it is always better to find something to fall back on.

The Online Citizen said that for instance a person has always wanted to be a web designer and wants to start a career as one. He takes a SkillsFuture credit course that only takes up a few days to complete.

Regardless of whether or not he completes the course, there are a ton of other requirements before being able to land a job. There are also other instructions under the law that have to be followed.

What is sad is that a lot of people do not get to study courses they want because institutions "postpone" the course due to the lack of participants.

Even if the said candidate finishes the course, the Jobs Bank mandates employers who want to recruit foreigners to advertise the job on Singaporeans first, and there is no guarantee that Singaporeans will be hired first. This means foreigners who have just become citizens have no guarantee that the SkillsFuture programme will help them either.

If this continues, a person that was previously inspired may simply give up. This means Singapore will have to check more measures to ensure institutions are ready to hand out courses that can be taught to few people.

Part-Time Education In Singapore: How it Works For Foreigners

SkillsFuture is a movement that seeks to help Singaporeans access opportunities to develop new skills, regardless of their status. This is part of Singapore's campaign towards a more productive economy.

SkillsFuture can help Singaporeans aged 25 and above access training. More than two million 25 years and above Singaporeans were given S$500 each in credit to pay for courses they want to pursue. The government will also provide extra credits periodically.

This might also be the reason why foreigners are also very much interested in studying for part time diploma courses in Singapore. For instance, its affordable education and international qualifications has earned it a favorable spot amongst Indians.

Its expenses are reasonable versus other countries such as the United States, and students can easily get part-time work to earn for their expenses. This means Singapore has a budding multicultural workforce that is already providing significant experience for them.

However, here are some things the prospective foreign student should know before studying in Singapore.

Full-time international students that are pursuing degrees in Singapore can work part-time for 16 hours a week maximum. They can only work full-time during vacation. While these students don't need to apply for permission (they can get this from the Ministry of Manpower), they should if their working hours exceed the limit. Regardless, they are only eligible for the work rights if they are studying in any of the institutions that are under the Ministry of Manpower.

This also means the student's pass they will obtain before entering will be good for use until they finish their course.

Regardless, most of Singaporean educational institutions also offer internships as part of their studies. These internships are normally tied up with corporations to help students get the necessary skills they need, and are at most times absorbed by these companies.

This means students have to apply for an employment pass, a work permit, or a service pass. This is based on a lot of factors such as skills, qualifications and experience.

International students can also apply for an employment pass eligibility certificate in order to allow them to stay in-country for up to a year to search for jobs. Successful applicants must apply for a one-year visit pass from the immigration authority as well for them to stay inside the country, and an employment pass once they are hired.

These may look like confusing regulations, but Singapore is very strict with its policies. Either way, if you are a foreign student, you are also sure that you are in good hands when you study in Singapore.

The Pros and Cons of Studying Part-Time

Having a degree has become all the more important in Singapore with the arrival of the SkillsFuture programme. This has allowed 2.5 million Singaporeans access to at least S$500 in credits to be able to find courses to study abroad.

This will now let them take full-time or part-time diploma courses in Singapore, regardless of their status and qualifications. This will in turn allow others to fully expand and grow in their chosen fields.

However, making career choices is just as hard as making big business decisions, and surely taking these courses in Singapore may have its own pros and cons. We've got you covered.

First, it is important to understand that studying part time will require students to be good at juggling their time. This is similar to taking a master's degree, but much more challenging given the courses that are needed to be completed.

Given SkillsFuture, taking part time courses may be the best option to juggle time. Not only does this let students fit their schedules with their own personal matters, but they have time to do extra work and rest, and have some of their time to themselves.
Much of the people who opt for this option are mid-career professions, those that are working full-time, or those with family responsibilities.

Part-time studying is also much more flexible, and this allows students regular, personal contact as well as online meetups with classmates and teachers.

This will also allow students to combine their part-time knowledge with how their job works. This can help others find more inspiration to work, or to innovate their flow. It is important to understand that part-time:

• Is flexible and allows students to fit it around schedules
• Allows online learning to be integrated into the learning experience
• Offers opportunities where employers that would like to fund your studies, and
• Makes future employers see it as evidence of good time-management skills
• In turn, can boost prospects and salary. It can even help you find direction in life, and your teachers are almost always aware of your problems. You will have access to a network of part-timers as well. Sadly, part-time also:
• Is not as intense as studying for a full-time degree.

Either way, staying focused for an extended period is hard as environments change.
Funding for your studies can be difficult

Regardless, being able to juggle these responsibilities and conflicts will surely make your studies worth it. SkillsFuture is on its way to make Singapore rise to the top as one of the most sought-out nations once again.

SkillsFuture Credit: 5 Hit Industries You Should Focus On Before 2020

The economy of any country is just as good as its workforce. This is why investing on human capital is a surefire win for any country and company, regardless of its size and variety.

Singapore's emergence as a global market in Asia is cemented further by its implementation of a new Continuing Education and Training Masterplan for 2020 (CET 2020). This helps enable Singaporeans expand their skills and fulfill their potential through the help of part time courses in Singapore.

SkillsFuture is the manifestation of this effort. The program provides Singaporeans 25 years old and above with at least S$500 in SkillsFuture Credit to spend on learning new courses to expand their skill-sets.

But how can you make the most out of it? It is generally a good decision to improve skills and invest in courses that will hone talents that a lot of employers look for. Here are 17 growth sectors (cascaded through five main categories) within the polytechnics and ITE schools that are in-line with SkillsFuture offerings.

Biomedical Sciences
Singapore has become the forefront of biomedical research in Asia through A*STAR. The institute also has public-private partnerships that created the foundation of some ground-breaking research, development and manufacturing efforts.

In fact, the country's biomedical industry boasts S$25-billion in output in 2014 alone - and is expected to grow exponentially through the years. Singapore is also home to at least 30 biomedical science firms.

Given the rise of biomedical sciences as an industry, professionals in the business will surely become a need by 2020. Republic Polytechnic offers courses on biomedical sciences to get jumpstarted on this career.

Aerospace Engineering
The fleet of Asia Pacific planes will get a three-fold increase by 2031 - this amounts to about 13,500 planes with barely enough manpower to support them. Singapore is very much aware of this need.

The country has dominated the aerospace market by owning around 25-percent of the region's output in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. In 2012 alone, the industry has about 20,000 people in its slate, all of them skilled at their jobs.

Singapore is also home to about 270 delegates from 76 countries, and over 1,000 leading aerospace companies worldwide. Interested students can kickstart their education in the industry through courses offered in Temasek Polytechnic.

Offshore and Marine Engineering
Singapore positions itself as one of the top global players for oil and gas drilling units, as well as in offshore support vessels. This is despite the fall of oil prices, and its major effects to the offshore and marine industries. The country knows better than to leave the industry behind. The global demand for energy will surely jumpstart the fire in the industry once again, and Singapore knows that she should be prepared for it. Singapore's undeniable qualification, skill and speed of delivery will see the rise of the industry - and you can be a part of it.

Most of offshore and marine engineering companies are striving to make their operations lean and seamless, and this will be a big part of 2020's learning scheme. You can pursue the industry through courses offered by Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Food Technology
Singapore is becoming an emerging hub for the fields of food science and nutrition. Professor Jeyakumar Henry of the Clinical Nutrition Research (CNRC) said Singapore's multiracial population allows multinational food companies to have a single research hub.

Given the rise of the food population and the sophistication of the food and beverage market, food manufacturing will need cutting-edge technology for tasks such as packaging, market testing, and shelf life evaluation. Luckily, Singapore has the Food Innovation and Resource Center to thank. Students interested in a career in perhaps the world's most important industry can avail a course from Singapore Polytechnic.

Digital Media
The emergence of the internet of things and social media as tools has never made life easier for broadcasters, editors, writers and artists - this is especially the case with the growing demand for instant content.

In ASEAN alone, 194-million new cyber entrants are expected to be introduced to the internet by 2020. Being the most network-ready country in Asia, it is up to Singapore to be at the forefront of this sudden change. The country is an ideal regional hub for digital media industries. Broadcasting industries such as BBC World, Lucas Films, Walt Disney and CNBC Asia is making Singapore part of their home, and you could be a part of them.

Studies show that creative and analytical professionals aren o easy finds for digital media companies. Being part of this workforce will surely grant you a good future in the media arts. Fortunately, a lot of new media courses are being offered in Singapore today. You can learn more through Nanyang Polytechnic.