Carpentry campus helping more carve out woodcrafting careers

SINGAPORE — A new carpentry campus in Yishun, which opened today (Nov 11), aims to introduce more young Singaporeans to the art of furniture craftsmanship.

Approved by the Polytechnic of Western Australia (PWA) in May this year, the training centre consists of two fully air-conditioned classrooms and a workshop equipped with woodworking machinery and tools. The campus was officially announced by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) Institute, National Trades Union Congress’ Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), according to the joint press release.

The campus will conduct the six-month Creative Craftsman Apprenticeship Programme that was introduced earlier in February. Upon completion, trainees will receive certificates by SFIC, WDA and PWA, it added.

Already, 18 craftsmen — aged between 24 and 66 — have completed their training since the introduction of the programme this year, and are now based at various local companies.

SFIC Institute Chairman Neo Sia Meng said: “Majority of the carpenters in Singapore are foreigners, and many practising masters are nearing retirement age. Singapore currently faces a shortage of skilled local carpenters, and the situation has become more challenging because of the absence of proper training facilities or curriculum in Singapore for such a craft.

“By providing a conducive learning environment and comprehensive education at the SFIC Institute Yishun Campus, we hope to introduce more young Singaporeans to the art of furniture craftsmanship, thus injecting fresh ideas and perspectives into the local furniture industry.”

The SFIC Institute Yishun Campus expects to have a total of 180 Singaporeans trained under the programme over the next one-and-a-half-years.

Additionally, SFIC Institute and e2i will introduce and co-host a one-day Creative Craftsmen Industry Preview (CCIP) for local job seekers to pick up interviewing tips and information on the Creative Craftsmen Apprenticeship Programme.

At the same time, they can learn about the industry and tour the campus for hands-on woodcraft experience. Interested local job seekers can call 6496 9458 to sign up with SFIC Institute. CHANNEL NEWSASIA