O-level students to start Nitec course in ITE three months earlier, in January

Currently, ITE offers two intakes for Nitec courses annually - one in January for N-level graduates, and another in April for O-level students. With O-level results being released in January now, it will allow these graduates to begin their Nitec courses earlier, alongside the N-level students, ITE said in a media release on Wednesday.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the media release from ITE in full:

Starting 2014, GCE 'O' Level holders will start their Nitec courses in January instead of April under the new Synchronised Nitec Intake (SNI) exercise.

ITE currently offers two intakes for Nitec courses annually - one in January for GCE 'N' level school leavers, and one in April for GCE 'O' Level school leavers. With GCE 'O' Level examination results being released in January in recent years, a SNI exercise in January will allow GCE 'O' Level holders to begin and graduate from their Nitec courses three months earlier.

New Display Technology Course to Support Demand for Digital Displays

Come 2014, GCE 'N' and 'O' Level holders will be able to choose from among 123 fulltime and traineeship courses offered for post-secondary education in ITE. This includes a new Nitec in Electronics (Display Technology) course and four revamped Nitec courses.

Demand for digital signage and digital display systems has been growing in recent years, and more skilled professionals will be needed to support the industry's growth. The new course will produce graduates who are able to install, operate, troubleshoot and maintain various Video Display Systems for the next-generation digital displays.

Said Mr Andy Sim, General Manager, Samsung Singapore Enterprise & SMB, "Samsung is a leader in OLED display research and in AMOLED production in particular. Currently, the display market is undergoing rapid changes with OLED panels expected to fast replace LCD panels to become the mainstream.

"ITE's launch of the Nitec in Electronics (Display Technology) course is especially timely to prepare students for the display revolution. We congratulate ITE on the launch and the foresight to ensure that your graduates stay abreast of industry trends and be able to contribute effectively to the workforce"

The new Nitec in Electronics (Display Technology) course will be offered at ITE College East and will take in 40 students in Jan 2014.

Four Courses Revamped to Offer Students More Opportunities in Service Trades

ITE's three one-year Nitec courses in Service Skills (Office), Service Skills (Retail) and Service Skills (Tourism) will be phased out in 2014. These will be replaced with four new two-year Nitec courses in Business Services, Finance Services, Retail Services and Travel & Tourism Services. In line with the new Career Cluster-based Curriculum Framework, these four courses are designed to better prepare students for employability, flexibility and career advancement opportunities.

These courses are among the 57 Nitec, 41 Higher Nitec and 25 traineeship courses offered by ITE for post-secondary education and training in 2014.

Application will be open as follows:

GCE 'N' Level holders

Full-time Courses

19 Dec 2013, 2:30 pm to 23 Dec 2013, 5 pm

Traineeship Courses

20 Dec 2013, 9 am to 5 pm

21 Dec 2013, 8:30 am to 12 noon

23 Dec 2013, 9 am to 5 pm

GCE 'O' Level holders

2nd week of January 2014 following the release of GCE ‘O’ Level examination results.

Secondary school leavers who have taken their GCE 'N' and 'O' Level examinations in 2013 can submit their applications for full-time Nitec courses via the ITE website: www.ite.edu.sg. For Traineeship Courses, applicants are required to apply personally at ITE Headquarters Customer & Visitor Centre, Level 2, Block A, 2 Ang Mo Kio Drive, Singapore 567720. 2nd week of January 2014 following the release of GCE 'O' Level examination results.