Ngee Ann poly to help students take up multiple internships

SINGAPORE — A structured system that helps students take up multiple internships, should they wish to do so, is on the cards for Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

This, after results from a survey show over 60 per cent of students who have completed internship are game for a second internship experience.

Currently, students who want a second internship source for one on their own, then submit it for the school’s approval.

The polytechnic is also considering assigning alumni as industry mentors to students from the first day they join the school. This allows students to be exposed to the industry through, say, arranged visits to the mentor’s workplace, said the polytechnic’s deputy principal Mah Wee Beng.

These initiatives are in line with the SkillsFuture initiatives introduced during this year’s Budget, including enhancing internship experiences at the post-secondary education level. Under SkillsFuture, the internship curriculum will be enhanced, including requiring learning outcomes and structured activities to be defined. The scheme is expected to be extended to all Institute of Technical Education and polytechnic courses by 2020.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at Ngee Ann Polytechnic today (May 18), Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who until recently helmed the manpower portfolio, reiterated the importance of SkillsFuture.

Lifelong learning has become integral because of the rapid changes in the world, said Mr Tan, adding that SkillsFuture can help Singaporeans stay relevant in their jobs through constantly upgrading of one’s skills.