Published on : Friday, April 11, 2014
The SFIC Institute, National Trades Union Congress’ e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and The Polytechnic of Western Australia (PWA), with the support from the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), jointly launched a comprehensive apprenticeship programme to develop a pool of skilled local carpenters for the Singapore furniture industry.
Known as the Creative Craftsman Apprenticeship Programme, $3.5 million has been set aside to place and train 180 Singaporeans through a six -month structured apprenticeship programme. By helping employers to redesign the job from “Carpenter” to “Creative Craftsman” and putting in place a Progressive Wage Model for this profession, the apprenticeship programme aims to attract and grow a pool of local skilled workforce.
A total of seventeen employers have signed up to participate in this apprenticeship programme. They are mainly hospitality contract furniture manufacturers. The companies include Arthur Zaaro, Cathay Interiors, Cheng Meng, Complexart, Danovel, Design Studio, DH decor, Ewins, Facility Link, Home Fix, J-Plan, Kitchen & Kitchen, Mu-dian, Serrano, Sitra, Sunray Woodcraft Construction and Yang Ah Kang & Sons.
“As an institute supporting the Singapore furniture industry, we are proud to mark our 4th year of operations with this landmark partnership,” says Mr Neo Sia Meng, the Vice President of SFIC and Chairman of SFIC Institute. “We have received exceptional support from our partners, designers, and manufacturers and will continue working closely with them to facilitate the training and mentorship of potential craftsmen in Singapore. Through this tripartite effort, we hope to see more interested Singaporeans come forward to find out more about this incredibly fulfilling career path, allowing the local furniture industry to grow from strength to strength.”
The Creative Craftsman Apprenticeship Programme is designed for Singapore Citizens or
Permanent Residents who wish to pursue a career in the furniture industry. Eligible candidates are matched with participating employers and trainees will be paid a recommended starting salary of $1,500 per month during the six -month structured apprenticeship programme.
The syllabus comprises a 12 -day induction programme and a 10-week carpentryskills workshop interspersed with on -the-job training and mentorship sessions with their new employers, to ensure a seamless eventual transition to the workforce.
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive
•SFIC Institute’s Apprentice Certificate in Creative Craftsmanship;
•WDA’s WSQ Certified Operations Specialist; and
•PWA’s Record of Result and Certificate of Participation.
Tags: Apprenticeship Programme, Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), National Trades Union Congress’ e2i, SFIC, Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
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