Poly, ITE grads need societal buy-in to climb corporate ladder

The 10 recommendations of the Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (ASPIRE) Committee deserve praise. (“Better prospects for poly, ITE grads as S’pore adopts ‘cultural shift’”; Aug 26)

Polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education graduates require more opportunities for career advancement, skills training and further studies, without which they cannot showcase their talents and capabilities to climb the corporate ladder.

The new place-and-train programme is thus a good way to allow them to work and upgrade their skills simultaneously.

It allows one to apply the knowledge learnt to the workplace and apply the expertise gained to case studies in school.

It is timely and works hand in hand with the Education Ministry’s initiatives to steer away from focusing on academic results. However, a cultural shift requires buy-in from employers, parents and students.

Our society must change its mindset that polytechnic and ITE graduates are not as qualified as degree holders. Some students are late bloomers, and it does not mean they would be unable to excel in the workplace.

Parents must also recognise that going to university is only a stepping stone, not a pathway to success. Instead of pressurising their children to ace their examinations, they should focus on their children’s holistic development and talents.

Some children do well in academic institutions; others are better off developing their vocational skills. Instilling this mindset is important so that when our children graduate, they would not judge those in the workplace who do not have high qualifications.

While I welcome the ministry’s new moves for polytechnic and ITE students, I hope it also considers similar schemes for non-degree holders who are already in the workforce, but would face difficulty financing further studies.