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New programme for Singapore's mid-career switchers in energy sector

The Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) for the energy management sector was launched today by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS).

Administered by SEAS, this PCP offers mid-career professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) an opportunity to switch to the energy management sector.

Placed under WDA’s Adapt and Grow initiative, the PCP will run from 1 August 2016 till 31 May 2018 and is expected to benefit 40 PMETs over the next two years.

Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources & Health, Dr Amy Khor, announced this initiative, which is expected to create opportunities for PMETS to acquire skill sets such as technical knowledge on electrical and power system, the design and planning of solar system layout as well as project management.

For a start, five companies have committed to recruiting mid-career PMETs under this programme:

  1. Energetix
  2. REC Solar
  3. Saferay
  4. SinEnergy
  5. Sunseap Group.

Chief executive of WDA, Ng Cher Pong, strongly encouraged companies to tap on the PCP to build a Singaporean core of talent in this industry.

He said: "With the support provided by WDA and SEAS through the PCP, participating companies will be able to recruit and develop a pipeline of local project managers who are able to design, install and manage the solar system to support the increased adoption of solar energy use."

The PCP will comprise facilitated classroom training with a project component, which will lead to the award of two Statements of Attainment under the Process Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system issued by WDA.

ALSO READ: WDA allocates another $28 million to help local PMETs reskill

It also includes structured on-the-job training contextualised to the operations of the company. During the entire training period, SEAS will work with the company’s mentor to monitor the progress of the PMETs.

Edwin Khew, chairman of SEAS, commented on the importance of training existing talent as well as new entrants on the key aspects of the energy sector with a view to enhancing sustainability.

He added: "SEAS aims to be a flag bearer for training talent in this sector."

Key details about the new PCP:

  • Comprises 154 hours of facilitated classroom training-cum-project, and 320 hours of structured on-the-job training.
  • PMETs with at least two years of working experience can apply for this PCP.
  • Aims to help lower companies' cost of hiring PMETs by: providing salary support at 70% of participant’s salary capped at $2,000 per month for the 3-month training period + enhanced salary support of 90% of participant’s salary capped at $4,000 per month.
  • Will also help companies incur lower programme fees by: providing course fee support of up to 70% + SMEs can enjoy higher course fee support of up to 90%.

Beyond this PCP, SEAS will also be organising the Energy Efficiency Masterclass Series, a series of four masterclasses on energy efficiency and energy performance, with WDA's support. This is expected to benefit up to 75 PMETs from 62 companies.

Image: 123RF

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