50 Companies to work with Nanyang Polytechnic for its internship programme

SINGAPORE - Up to 50 companies from a wide range of industries will be providing structured internship programmes (SIP) for Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) students.

These companies will work with NYP to develop a structured programme with clear learning outcomes, job scopes and activities that balance the needs of the company with the objectives of the course of study to enable students to deepen their skills and acquire relevant work experience, NYP said in a statement today.

A Memoranda of Understanding was signed between NYP and its 50 partner in the presence of Education Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat today, just before the graduation of its Class of 2015.

Through the SIP, NYP's final-year students will be matched with industry mentors who will guide and advise them while they embark on purposeful real-world training and industry-relevant projects.

This initiative will enhance the integration between work and study, allowing polytechnic students to have a head-start in deepening their skills with industry-relevant training as part of SkillsFuture.

SkillsFuture is part of the government's efforts to to train workers better and improve the career prospects of polytechnic and technical institute's students. A SkillsFuture Council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, was formed in 2014 to meet these objectives.

Mr Chan Lee Mun, Principal/CEO of Nanyang Polytechnic said: "We are pleased to work with these companies, who are equally committed to the vision of SkillsFuture. We appreciate their strong support in setting aside resources and time to ensure that students have real-world work experience and a clearer view of their career and professional pathway."

"While we have had students from Nanyang Polytechnic intern with us since 2011, the extension of the internship from three to six months will allow the students to have an even more immersive work and learning experience," Ms Jessica Tan, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore said.

"During each internship, with the right support and clear learning objectives, balanced with business needs and outcomes, the programme is mutually beneficial and sustainable."

grongloh@sph.com.sg