Friday, December 30, 2016

Tips on Surviving Your First Year in Polytechnic

Image Credit: nytimes.com
If you are reading this article, you may have gotten a scholarship or can afford to go into Polytechnic. You are raring to go to school and meet new people, but at the same time, you may be somewhat afraid of the challenges ahead.

Well, let’s take a look at some tips on how you can survive your first year in Polytechnic.

1) You will need a planner.

Don’t believe what some tipsters tell you that Polytechnic is more relaxed than your secondary school. The only reasons why the environment seems freer and relaxed is because you are supposed to be given sufficient time to study and do your assigned homework and projects. Once these things start piling up because you are always gallivanting around, you begin to feel the pressures.

Having a planner will help you to schedule other activities around your school time. Early on, set study times during breaks between classes or an hour or two before going to bed. Malling, hanging out with friends, and other recreational activities should be set Friday afternoon or early evening or Saturday. Make Sunday your rest day.

2) SkillsFuture is your best friend.

There will be times when you feel that you are not getting enough information out of a class. This is the time when you should use your SkillsFuture credit to good use. Check out a related part time or online course in the directory and apply for it with your SkillsFuture $500.

3) Start all projects immediately.

Procrastination has no place in Polytechnic. If you are assigned a project in one class, you need to start doing them immediately, so you can make significant headway before being given another project in another class. There is a tendency for homework, papers, and projects to pile up in Polytechnic. If you want to get things done early so you don’t scramble to finish them days before deadline, better start your projects as soon as they are assigned to you.

4) Make friends with both schoolmates and teachers.

No, this does not mean that you have to suck up to people to get better grades. But it will make your life in Polytechnic more comfortable if you don’t have enemies. Go out of your way to make friends with some of your classmates who share your interests. Remember that the friend you make in school will become your study buddy. Being on the good side of your teacher is also something to keep in mind especially if you are having problems understanding lectures. Teachers prefer that students take the initiative to ask them questions about topics they don’t understand.

5) Get into Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)

Joining CCAs will enable you develop skills like leadership and teamwork, which potential employers look for. Any achievements you make in a CCA will also add lustre to your career portfolio. If the CCA is an activity you enjoy, it will also help lessen your stress.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

How to Choose Among Multiple Scholarships

Image Credit: famu.edu
If you are thinking of getting full-time study Singapore has many courses available via the SkillsFuture programme. However, if these courses are still beyond your financial means, there are scholarships that you can apply for so that you can still get the education you desire. One good example is the scholarship in Singapore for ITE graduates.

If you are faced with many scholarships to choose from, here are some tips so that you will be able to determine which scholarship is right for you.

1) Determine your career goals

It is important that you already have a set of career goals in mind prior to choosing your scholarship. Is it your goal to zoom straight up the corporate ladder to an executive position? Do you want to contribute to the success of the company? Perhaps you want to empower the leadership and employees of the company toward more civic-oriented causes? These are just some examples of career goals that you might have.

2) Research on the scholarship provider

Scholarships may be provided by educational institutions, government agencies or even private companies. It is important that you do a thorough research on the background, vision and mission of the provider. Are the provider’s goals the same or similar to yours? Do they have an organisational structure, culture or values that will allow for the fulfilment of these goals? Make a list of all of the scholarship providers that share your career goals.

3) Consider opportunities for career advancement

All scholarship providers also give opportunities for career advancement in the form of internships, actual workplace training through a mentor, or job rotations. If you are not afraid of taking risks or challenges, you might want to choose an organisation with a wide variety of functions. Exposure to various tasks both within the organisation and through job rotations with other companies will enable you to develop skills outside of your field of study. In addition, you will also learn how to adjust your working pace depending upon the working environment. Skills, flexibility and adaptability are abilities that you need to develop before you enter the working force full time.

4) Get feedback from others

Some of the best information that you can get about a scholarship provider is through communicating with individuals who have had experience with the organisation. Your parents may recommend a provider because they themselves received a scholarship from them. For more updated information, you can ask your teachers and senior students. Ask about the things you will learn and if you still need to take part time courses to augment what is being taught in the organisation. Inquire about the challenges you are likely to face, both in the classroom and workplace.

When you have multiple scholarships to choose from, always weigh your decisions carefully to ensure that you will be matched with the best scholarship provider.

Friday, December 16, 2016

SkillsFuture: Reaching Out to Communities

The year 2016 has not been a good year economy-wise in Singapore. Because of the slowing down of the country’s economy, many leading companies saw it fit to lay off thousands of employees to cut down on costs. Now without jobs, these workers are in a haze of confusion, uncertain of which direction to take in their careers.

Thankfully, SkillsFuture Singapore is reaching of to these retrenched workers and other jobless individuals in the communities through two new initiatives, namely SkillsFuture Engage and SkillsFuture Network. And their message is simple – “There are many jobs out there; you only need to learn and develop new skills.”

What is SkillsFuture Engage?

SkillsFuture Engage is the initiative that seeks to reach out to Singaporeans in their various communities. It hopes to create Community Development Councils (CDCs) and Self-Help Groups with advisers who are trained in providing advice and various resources so that Singaporeans will be able to make well-informed decisions about education, training, their chosen career and possible alternative career opportunities.

Part of the SkillsFuture Engage initiative is to guide the public in the use of their SkillsFuture credit. Singaporeans will also be guided on how to access the SkillsFuture courses list and help them to determine which specific courses they will need to take in order to stay upgraded in their current jobs or start a new career entirely. Perhaps the most important of all, Singaporeans will be directed to job search resources so that they will be able to find the career they have long wanted.

What is SkillsFuture Network?

SkillsFuture Network is similar to Engage in that it is an advisory and guidance initiative. While Engage holds a supervisory position over all community groups in the country, SkillsFuture Network is specifically based within a single community alone.

The initiating community for the Network initiative is the South West Community Development Council. Called SkillsFuture Network @ South West, the group plans to reach out to all members in their community. Not only will they provide them with advice on education and career choices through the SkillsFuture programme. They will also direct individuals, particularly women and seniors who wish to be productive and earn a living, to work opportunities that are within reach of their own homes. Such an initiative is very helpful to people who see a large percentage of their salaries going to transportation and commuter costs.

But SkillsFuture Network has a much larger goal in mind. By providing residents with education and job opportunities within their respective neighbourhoods, they will essentially contribute to the progress and development of their communities, ensuring jobs for future generations.

Indeed, SkillsFuture’s community initiatives, Engage and Network, should be best emulated by the rest of the world who wish to see their citizens become productive, financially stable and happy in their chosen careers.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

4 Reasons You Need to Apply For a Personal Loan to Get An Education

For individuals who wish to study full-time courses in Singapore is a virtual paradise of education in the entire world. The reason for this is that Singapore is arguably the only country that offers an extensive variety of both full-time and part-time courses which citizen can avail of through the SkillsFuture programme.

However, getting a good education is not really cheap. While government subsidies are in place that will considerably reduce the costs of courses, most education opportunities are too expensive which would necessitate getting an education loan. The worst case scenario is your option is to get a personal loan.

What is an Education Loan?

As the term obviously denotes, an education loan is a loan used for purposes of getting an education. Upon approval of your loan, the money will not be given to you. Instead, it will be deposited in the account of the school or university that is providing the course/s you are going to take.

Compared to personal loans that have a 5 to 8 percent interest rate, education loans have interest rates of around 4 percent per year. It is because of the lower interest rate that individuals prefer to apply for education loans.

But what if you don’t qualify for an education loan?

4 Reasons You Need to Apply for a Personal Loan

Let us take a look at the 4 major reasons why you will need to apply for a personal loan to get an education in Singapore...

1) You don’t qualify for the education loan

Most individuals are unable to get an education loan because they don’t meet the eligibility requirements. Most education loans require applicants to be at least 21 years old. They should also not be studying full-time. In addition, the annual income of the family is should be between $24,000 and $30,000.

While a guarantor, such as an immediate family member or relative, can get the loan for you, they should also meet the above minimum criteria.

If you and your guarantor don’t meet these criteria, you need to get a personal loan.

2) The course you chose is not eligible for education loans

All education loans have lists of approved courses and course providers. If your chosen course and the institution that will be teaching it are not in the lists, your application for an education loan will be automatically rejected and you will need to take out a personal loan instead.

3) You’ve reached the limit of your education loan

Education loans have limits of between $80,000 and $200,000. If you exceed these limits, you have to get a personal loan especially if there are other courses that you would like to pursue.

4) Insufficient SkillsFuture credit

Although most SkillsFuture courses are reduced by government subsidies and your SkillsFuture $500 credit, some courses are just too expensive so that you need to get a personal loan.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Applying for Part Time Diploma Courses? Do A Skills Self-Assessment First

Applying for part time diploma courses is not something you automatically decide on. After all, you don’t want to end up depleting your SkillsFuture $500 on a crappy course. It requires assessing the current skills that you have, discovering skills that you have developed but are not aware of, and developing new ones to keep you upgraded at your job.

In order to perform a good skills self-assessment, get a pen and paper for jotting down notes and then ask yourself the following questions...

“What knowledge/skills do I have right now?”

First of all, think about what knowledge and skills you have been using that are enabling you to effectively perform your job. This does not include whatever skills you have learned throughout the years in school. Jot down all of these skills and rank them according to importance. If one skill has not been upgraded in some time, you might want to consider taking a training course.

“Did I develop additional skills while on the job?”

The next step is to examine how you have been performing at your job. Unless you look closely at your current skills, you wouldn’t realize that you have developed other useful skills as an offshoot. For example, if you are in the field of products and services, you may already be aware that you are good in explaining to suppliers and clients the various offerings of your company. What you don’t know is that in the process of communicating with various people in the supply chain, you have developed excellent negotiation skills which have enabled you to secure lucrative deals for your company. These offshoot skills increase your value to your employer, and it is important to hone them further by getting yourself an education.

“What do I want out of my job?”

Once you have your list of skills, determine what exactly you want out of your job. Obviously, everyone wants to get promoted and get a higher salary. You might also want to consider how satisfied you are at your job. Do you find yourself stuck at your desk all day, but deep inside you want to communicate with clients? Do you want to put greater input into improving the work environment for all? Perhaps there are unfair conditions in your company which you know you can change if you possess the skills to initiate such changes? Make a list of all the things you want changed or done in the future and rank them based on your personal priorities.

“Can you tell me more about myself?”

A part of self-assessment is knowing how your bosses and co-workers view your job performance. Get their feedback, both positive and negative. Ask for advice on how you can improve and what courses you can take.

Use the knowledge you have gained in your self-assessment to narrow down your choices of part time courses.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Continuing Education Through Part Time Diploma Courses

When you hear the term "continuing education", what immediately comes to mind are the various medical, nursing and related health fields wherein discoveries in diseases and advancements in diagnosis and treatment requires that doctors, nurses and health personnel acquire much needed training in order to be updated with the latest protocols and techniques. However, continuing education does not only apply to scientific fields. Because new technologies are being developed and existing ones are being upgraded, there is a consequent need for every working Singaporean to be updated as well.

This can be accomplished by taking part-time courses in Singapore.

Part Time Courses Explained


Part time courses consists of learning and training modules that an individual can take anytime he or she chooses, for as long as he/she is able to complete the course within the prescribed duration. Most courses require at least an hour or two’s attendance by the student and can take as long as 5 to 6 months or longer to complete, depending upon the complexity of the subject matter.

Because of their flexible schedules, these courses are particularly suited for working individuals who want to improve in their job skills but are confined to their place of work for 8 to 10 hours a day. Some modules may be studied by a person during his/her lunch break; longer ones require study during weekends.

A plus for part time courses is that you can go back to any past modules which you don’t understand. You can review previous modules many times as you can until you fully understand it and can apply it to your job.

SkillsFuture Credit and Part time Courses


With the implementation of the SkillsFuture Credit programme this year 2016, Singaporeans have full access to over 10,000 full time and part time diploma courses in Singapore from the best educational institutions.

To know which courses you need to take, simply consult with your supervisor and/or your company’s Human Resources Department. They are in the best position to discuss your strengths and weaknesses and offer suggestions on which courses can help you develop and/or improve in your career. Once you have your list of courses, you can learn more about them by visiting the SkillsFuture Course Directory. Just click the course you are interested in taking and you will be provided with additional details. Once you have decided upon a course, the next step is to log in to your SkillsFuture Credit Portal.

Now don’t be dismayed if your existing credit of $500 is not sufficient to pay for the course. You might want to look into the possibility that the course might be government subsidised, which means you will be paying only a small percentage of the fees.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

SkillsFuture Credit: How to Use Your Credits?

Singapore has launched its SkillsFuture campaign. This allows Singaporeans aged 25 years and above to be able to find new courses to learn to expand their skill sets. This also allows them to find new prospects for their careers.

When the programme was launched on January this year, more than two million Singaporeans have earned S$500 in SkillsFuture credit. Here is a quick quide on how to claim SkillsFuture credit and how to use them.

Singaporeans should register their SkillsFuture credit for their course. It depends on the institution they are filing for. Sometimes some courses require Singaporeans to apply directly from their website and then to their SkillsFuture portal, or vice versa. You may have to check your course provider for specific instructions, and always confirm the process.

The most important step is to claim the SkillsFuture credit. Singaporeans can do this through their SingPass ID. When they log in to the SkillsFuture Credit Portal, they can go to My SkillsFuture Credit and submit claims.

This allows them to choose courses they like and select a start date that they want. They may then have to search for the training provider they want to learn a specified course. Always make sure that you have enough credits in order to claim a certain course, and if you will pay the course with your credits or with your own money.

Claims are normally approved within a working day, and claims payable to users should be made between 30 days before and 90 days after the start of the course date.

By the time you are logged in the SkillsFuture Credit portal, you can check if your status for the claim is approved or denied. If the claim is rejected, you will be receiving an SMS with the reason for disqualification. Welcome e-mails from institutions will normally be sent two weeks before the course start date.

Although the process may seem rigid and hard to do, SkillsFuture as a programme in itself is handy for a lot of Singaporeans. This allows them to access the benefits of lifelong learning and enjoy the benefits of learning more for their job.

A lot of people praise SkillsFuture for having let them have the motivation to take up courses they could only dream of before.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

SkillsFuture: A Future Of Changing Careers

SkillsFuture is a recent initiative launched by Singapore to be able to help its citizens get access to more opportunities to learn and study. This allows Singaporeans aged 25 and above to get access to various courses through the SkillsFuture database, all approved courses by the workforce development agency, and learn.

With credit the government gave them. Yes, we can actually be paid to study.

However, one must look at the various repercussions and opportunities of such an initiative. One must understand that the Earth has a global economy that is constantly changing. This means SkillsFuture will have to help individuals adjust to the market that is constantly shifting.

How? We should understand that the world today is also running under the notion of lifelong learning. There are no real experts anywhere, and that everyone is in a constant state of learning and self-improvement.

This is important, because Singapore has put a lot of faith in its citizens to choose careers that will make them happy. Because happy employees have successful careers.

This is also considering that globalisation worldwide relies on the rapid developments in technology. Unfortunately, our dependence to such a system has removed the tradition of innovation and working hard.

Society now has citizens that are slowly becoming too dependent on machines. In the meantime, the fast-changing market needs smart and wise minds to help direct everyone to success.

This is a new world now, and a degree and a stable job are not the norm anymore. People will have to learn how to adapt and change - hence lifelong learning. SkillsFuture will give everyone the opportunity to switch careers and risk on something new because we all deserve that chance.

Learning after all can be a dynamic process as well. A new skill focusing on leisure can even have a lot of benefits on a professional level. We have to give credit to Singapore for such a brave move.

This movement is unexpected given Singapore's history of having tight fiscal policies in the use of its budget surpluses. The government is now expecting that using this to continue education and training for everyone will increase by S$600 million per annum, and will balloon to $1 billion a year from now to 2020.

This idea is gravely honest and innovative. The mere fact of learning once more can tackle issues on productivity and unemployment. Governments have had this problem for years, especially since a lot depend on cheap foreign labor. SkillsFuture lets everyone see that fiscal expenditure is not enough to solve these problems: it's a lifelong process.

The S$500 may appear small for some, but this is a big leap for Singaporeans in the realm of lifelong learning and constantly finding things to study. Singapore now needs to embrace SkillsFuture as a good way of making everyone appreciate the value of learning new things.

SkillsFuture is a good investment and taps on the potential of Singaporeans to become a productive member of the workplace.

SkillsFuture: A Future Of Changing Careers

SkillsFuture is a recent initiative launched by Singapore to be able to help its citizens get access to more opportunities to learn and study. This allows Singaporeans aged 25 and above to get access to various courses through the SkillsFuture database, all approved courses by the workforce development agency, and learn.

With credit the government gave them. Yes, we can actually be paid to study.

However, one must look at the various repercussions and opportunities of such an initiative. One must understand that the Earth has a global economy that is constantly changing. This means SkillsFuture will have to help individuals adjust to the market that is constantly shifting.

How? We should understand that the world today is also running under the notion of lifelong learning. There are no real experts anywhere, and that everyone is in a constant state of learning and self-improvement.

This is important, because Singapore has put a lot of faith in its citizens to choose careers that will make them happy. Because happy employees have successful careers.

This is also considering that globalisation worldwide relies on the rapid developments in technology. Unfortunately, our dependence to such a system has removed the tradition of innovation and working hard.

Society now has citizens that are slowly becoming too dependent on machines. In the meantime, the fast-changing market needs smart and wise minds to help direct everyone to success.

This is a new world now, and a degree and a stable job are not the norm anymore. People will have to learn how to adapt and change - hence lifelong learning. SkillsFuture will give everyone the opportunity to switch careers and risk on something new because we all deserve that chance.

Learning after all can be a dynamic process as well. A new skill focusing on leisure can even have a lot of benefits on a professional level. We have to give credit to Singapore for such a brave move.

This movement is unexpected given Singapore's history of having tight fiscal policies in the use of its budget surpluses. The government is now expecting that using this to continue education and training for everyone will increase by S$600 million per annum, and will balloon to $1 billion a year from now to 2020.

This idea is gravely honest and innovative. The mere fact of learning once more can tackle issues on productivity and unemployment. Governments have had this problem for years, especially since a lot depend on cheap foreign labor. SkillsFuture lets everyone see that fiscal expenditure is not enough to solve these problems: it's a lifelong process.

The S$500 may appear small for some, but this is a big leap for Singaporeans in the realm of lifelong learning and constantly finding things to study. Singapore now needs to embrace SkillsFuture as a good way of making everyone appreciate the value of learning new things.

SkillsFuture is a good investment and taps on the potential of Singaporeans to become a productive member of the workplace.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

SkillsFuture: What's In It For Employers

Singapore is back on track towards global lifelong learning. It recently launched its SkillsFuture Credit programme that aims to provide Singaporeans with a lot of opportunities to learn and enhance their skills. Singaporeans aged 25 and above will now get funds in the form of credits in order to study courses they like.

They can get a S$500 worth of SkillsFuture credit that they could use to study courses in various fields. This ranges from engineering to animation to design. This year marks the start of a worthwhile journey towards the revival of Singapore's economy and the flourishing of their learning.

However, this does seem like a little off especially towards employers. That is what others think. But did you know there are also a lot of benefits in store for employers as well?

Employers can avail of the iNnovative Learning 2020 or the iN.LEARN 2020 program. This is Singapore's scheme to innovate learning amongst employers and institutions that offer courses for professionals. This aims to make sure there is the usage of blended learning in Continuing Education and Training programmes to make sure the needs of businesses and individuals are met at the same time.

This will ensure that everyone has access to quality and effective learning.

Singapore's P-Max programme will also help small and medium enterprises in the country find suitable employees. SMEs that participate in the program will be trained in various areas such as innovative HR operating procedures, better communication, and how to work with new hires. Institutions participating in the P-Max will be even awarded an assistance grant of S$5,000 for completion and retain their newly-hires for half a year.

Meanwhile, companies will also be under Sectoral Manpower Plans to encourage employers and businesses to develop their employees. This will encourage industry and unions to motivate employees by providing them the means to expand their careers and master their skills. There will even be a central group of mentors to ensure SMEs can provide the right kind of learning to students.

Through the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme, fresh graduates from ITE and polytechnic schools can be placed to train under institutions. Employers who do this can receive up to S$15,000 just to make sure there is enough to provide and develop students.

Good employers and businesses can be recognised through the SkillsFuture Employer Awards.

This is a big leap of Singapore, especially since it is under a current time where markets and businesses are in tight competition. However, this is also a big opportunity for Singaporeans who wish to expand their careers and learn more about their interests.

SkillsFuture: What's In It For Employers

Singapore is back on track towards global lifelong learning. It recently launched its SkillsFuture Credit programme that aims to provide Singaporeans with a lot of opportunities to learn and enhance their skills. Singaporeans aged 25 and above will now get funds in the form of credits in order to study courses they like.

They can get a S$500 worth of SkillsFuture credit that they could use to study courses in various fields. This ranges from engineering to animation to design. This year marks the start of a worthwhile journey towards the revival of Singapore's economy and the flourishing of their learning.

However, this does seem like a little off especially towards employers. That is what others think. But did you know there are also a lot of benefits in store for employers as well?

Employers can avail of the iNnovative Learning 2020 or the iN.LEARN 2020 program. This is Singapore's scheme to innovate learning amongst employers and institutions that offer courses for professionals. This aims to make sure there is the usage of blended learning in Continuing Education and Training programmes to make sure the needs of businesses and individuals are met at the same time.

This will ensure that everyone has access to quality and effective learning.

Singapore's P-Max programme will also help small and medium enterprises in the country find suitable employees. SMEs that participate in the program will be trained in various areas such as innovative HR operating procedures, better communication, and how to work with new hires. Institutions participating in the P-Max will be even awarded an assistance grant of S$5,000 for completion and retain their newly-hires for half a year.

Meanwhile, companies will also be under Sectoral Manpower Plans to encourage employers and businesses to develop their employees. This will encourage industry and unions to motivate employees by providing them the means to expand their careers and master their skills. There will even be a central group of mentors to ensure SMEs can provide the right kind of learning to students.

Through the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme, fresh graduates from ITE and polytechnic schools can be placed to train under institutions. Employers who do this can receive up to S$15,000 just to make sure there is enough to provide and develop students.

Good employers and businesses can be recognised through the SkillsFuture Employer Awards.

This is a big leap of Singapore, especially since it is under a current time where markets and businesses are in tight competition. However, this is also a big opportunity for Singaporeans who wish to expand their careers and learn more about their interests.

Friday, September 2, 2016

SkillsFuture Credit in Engineering: What's In it For You?


Learning for about a quarter of our lives is a sign that education is indeed an investment we should all be concentrating on. But having a job and earning income makes the notion of taking part-time diploma courses in Singapore a bit... overwhelming.

But as the saying goes, life is always a learning process. Singapore makes sure Singaporeans are constantly a step closer to fulfill their potential through SkillsFuture credit. Singaporeans have S$500 in credit to help them reach their full potential.

This is especially helpful given Singapore's stance to be leaders in the slowing global economy. Companies that are able to reorganize themselves during these turbulent times will be able to ride the wave when the world economy boosts itself.

Singapore's new SkillsFuture campaign is a good way to show support to the ever-growing job market. This is also a good way to ensure that Singaporeans are equipped with the knowledge they need to thrive and grow in the constantly-shifting markets of their fields of interest.

Here are just some of the SkillsFuture credit-approved courses in the fields of engineering and environmental industries:

  • Advanced Certification in Construction Productivity
  • Advanced Concrete Design using Eurocode 2
  • Application for Extension of Time - Factors for Success
  • Approved Crane Erector for Approved Crane Contractors (Tower Crane)
  • ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Program on Integrated Design Modelling and Emerging ACMV Technology Efficient Healthy Buildings
  • Bachelor of Building and Project Management
  • Bachelor of Construction Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Facilities and Events Management
  • Basic Electrical Maintenance
  • Basic Plumbing Maintenance
  • Basic Powered Tools Usage
  • Behavioural Safety for the Construction Industry
  • BMSMA for Building Management Personnel
  • Bridging Course for Crane Operators
  • Builder Certificate in Plumbing & Pipe-fitting
  • Building Automation Concepts, Technologies and Practices for Green Buildings
  • Building Construction Supervisors Safety Course
  • Building Energy Modelling and Thermal Simulation
  • Certificate Course in Measurement & Verification of Central Chilled-Water Plant Efficiency
  • Certificate in Concrete Technology
  • Certificate in Construction Productivity Management
  • Certificate in Gas Technology
  • Certificate in Interior Finishing Co-ordination
  • Certificate in Levelling & Setting Out
  • Certificate in Pavement Construction & Maintenance
  • Certificate in Precast Concrete Construction Supervision
  • Certificate in Waterproofing Supervision
  • Certification Course for Green Mark Facilities Manager
  • Certification Course for Green Mark Facilities Professional Programme
  • Certification Course for Green Mark Manager
  • Certification Course for Green Mark Professional Programme
  • Certification Course for Site Investigation Supervisors
  • Certification Course for Universal Design Assessors
  • Certification Course in BIM Management
  • Certification Course in BIM Modelling (Architecture Track)
  • Certification Course in BIM Modelling (MEP Track)
  • Certification Course in BIM Modelling (Structural Track)
  • Certification Course in Design of Precast Concrete Structures for Engineers
  • Certification Course on Construction Law & Contracts
  • Certified QM/CONQUAS Managers Course
  • CET for CoreTrade Supervisor (Architectural)
  • CET for CoreTrade Supervisor (M&E)
  • CET for CoreTrade Supervisors (Structural)
  • CONQUAS Training for Builders
  • CONQUAS Training for Developers & Consultants
  • Construction Contract Administration
  • Construction Safety Orientation Course (CSOC)
  • Contract Drafting - The Technicalities and Legalities
  • Controlled Demolition of Building Structures
  • CORENET e-Submission System Training
  • Course on Project Management
  • Crawler Crane Operation (Operation)
  • Crawler Crane Operation (Theory)
  • Demolition Course for Renovation Contractors
  • Demolition Safety Course
  • CP5 on Low Voltage Electrical Installations (NEW)
  • CP88 on Temporary Electrical Installations (NEW)
  • Design and Simulation for Natural Ventilation
  • Design of Bolted and Welded Joints in Steel Buildings using Eurocode 3
  • Design of Lightning Protection System
  • Design of Precast Concrete Structures for Engineers
  • Design of Steel Structures using Eurocode 3
  • Design of Steel-Concrete Composite Structures using Eurocode 4
  • Develop A Risk Management Implementation Plan (BizSAFE Level 2)
  • Develop a Workplace Safety and Health Management System Implementation Plan (BizSAFE Level 4 )
  • Diploma in Construction Engineering
  • Diploma in Electrical Enginneering & Clean Energy
  • Diploma in Facilities Management
  • Diploma in Geo-Spatial Information and Technology
  • Ducting Installation for Air-Conditioning & Ventilation
  • Effective People Management for Construction Professionals
  • Efficient Building Envelope Design, ETTV and RETV
  • Efficient Central Air-Conditioning Design, Operation and Maintenance
  • Electrical Wiring Installation
  • Energy Efficiency for Electrical Systems
  • Energy Efficiency through Management and Audit
  • Essential Knowledge for Waterproofing Workers
  • Essential Knowledge in Building Legislation & Procedures for Building Plan Submission
  • Essential Knowledge in Construction Regulations & Management for Licensed Builders
  • Essential Knowledge in Local Regulations and Construction Practices
  • Explosive Power Tools Operation
  • Formwork Safety Course For Supervisors
  • Fundamentals of Air-Conditioning System
  • Fundamentals of Water System Design
  • Gas Basic Course
  • Gas Pipe Fitter Course
  • Gas Service Workers Course
  • Gas Supply Regulations & Practices
  • Geotechnical Instrumentation for Engineers
  • Good Governance for Management Corporation (with Enhancement)
  • Good Industry Practices (Aluminium Window)
  • Good Industry Practices (Marble/Granite/Ceramic Tiling)
  • Good Industry Practices (Painting)
  • Good Industry Practices (Timber Doors, Wardrobe & Kitchen Cabinet)
  • Good Industry Practices (Timber Flooring)
  • Good Industry Practices (Waterproofing for External Wall)
  • Good Industry Practices (Waterproofing for Internal Wet Areas)
  • Green Architecture & the Integrated Design Process
  • Hydraulic Excavator Operation
  • Indoor Air Quality Management for Buildings
  • Installation of Structural Supports for Air-con Condensing Units
  • Interior Drywall Installation
  • Internal Audit (QEHS) Course based on Quality ISO 9001, Environmental 14001 & Health & Safety OHSA
  • Introductory English for Construction Workers
  • Kitchen Exhaust Systems for Hawker Centres - Design and Maintenance
  • Lorry Crane Operator Course/Competency Test
  • Luffing Jib Tower Crane Operation
  • Management of Water and Environmental Services for Estate Managers
  • Managing Workflow and Achieving Plan Reliability
  • Metal Scaffold Erection
  • Mobile Crane (Truck Mounted) Operation - Module 1 (Theory)
  • Mobile Crane (Truck Mounted) Operation - Module 2 (Practical)
  • New Cable Colour Code for Electrical Installations
  • Opportunities and Pitfalls of Tendering for MRT Projects and Other Major Infrastructure Projects
  • Painting
  • Pile Foundations Design and Construction for Engineers
  • Planning & Management of Home Renovation
  • Planning, Design, Construction and Commissioning of Storey and Staircase Shelters
  • Plastering
  • Plumbering & Pipefitting
  • Preparing and Defending Loss and Expense Claims
  • Project Management
  • Project Management for Professionals in the Building and Construction Industry
  • Protection Against Lightning for Buildings
  • PSSOC Contract Administration Essentials
  • Recognising Hazards in Deep Excavation Temporary Retaining Structures for Workers
  • Refresher Course for Licensed Electrical Workers (Electricians)
  • Refresher Course for Licensed Electrical Workers (Technicians & Engineers)
  • Renovation for Public Housing
  • Requirements for Environmental Sustainability in Buildings and The Green Mark Scheme
  • Retro Commissioning and Performance Contracting
  • Retrofitting Orientation for Workers
  • Rigger & Signalman Course
  • Site Investigation for Engineers
  • Site Management of Precast Concrete Construction
  • Solar Modelling
  • Specialist Diploma in Architectural Technology
  • Specialist Diploma in Building Cost Management
  • Specialist Diploma in Building Information Modelling
  • Specialist Diploma in Construction Management
  • Specialist Diploma in Construction Productivity
  • Specialist Diploma in Design for Manufacturing & Assembly
  • Specialist Diploma in Facility & Energy Management
  • Specialist Diploma in Interior and Landscape Design
  • Specialist Diploma in Lean Construction
  • Specialist Diploma in M&E Co-ordination
  • Specialist Diploma in Virtual Design & Construction
  • Stanford CIFE-BCA Advanced Management Program in VDC
  • Steel Reinforcement Work
  • Supervision of Deep Underground Construction Works
  • Supervision of Piling Works for Engineers and Supervisory Personnel
  • Sustainable Acoustics
  • Sustainable Facility Management Solutions
  • Sustainable Hot Water and Heat Recovery Systems
  • Sustainable Lighting Design and Technology
  • Technical Use of Programmes To Control, Manage and Optimise The Project
  • Telescopic Handler Operation
  • Timber Form Work
  • Tower Crane Operation - Module 1 (Theory)
  • Tower Crane Operation - Module 2 (Practical)
  • TU Braunschweig - BCA Executive Development Programme
  • Understanding Obligations and Liabilities in Building and Construction Works with Focus on BC Act
  • Workshop on Design of Concrete Structures - Eurocodes Versus British Standards
  • Workshop on Geotechnical Design using Eurocode 7
  • Workshop on Parametric Design for BIM
  • Workshop on Performance-based Design on Fire Safety
  • Workshop on Seismic Design of Building Eurocode 8

BCA Academy in Singapore offers all these courses, as they specialize in technical engineering and environmental education. Interested students may jumpstart their careers in the business with the institution.

Applicants that are interested are free to check here if the courses they want are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit, or by contacting the BCA Academy at bca_academy@bca.gov.sg, or 62489999.

Applicants are suggested to apply in person at the academy's Customer Service Centre at 200 Braddell Road, Singapore 579700. You should bring your NRIC, payment and other supporting documents as said on the course brochure.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

The Best Fields for your SkillsFuture Credit

Learning is a good investment for anyone's future - this might be the reason why we study for about a quarter of our lives. This might also be the reason why a lot of working professionals refuse to be associated with books and other academic materials whatsoever.

But as the saying goes, life is always a learning process. Singapore makes sure its citizens are constantly a step closer to fulfill their potential through SkillsFuture Credit program. Singaporeans have S$500 in credit to help them reach their full potential.

Though some may already have fields they want to focus on, they can choose from a list of part-time diploma courses at BrightFuture.sg. Let me share some disciplines of education that you may want to spend your SkillsFuture Credit for.

Accountancy
Proper money management is best learned with techniques. Accounting professionals always have secret aces, and now you can learn them as well. Foundational courses from the ACCA are available for SkillsFuture credits. Taking a foundational course grants students access to file for a qualification to become a qualified professional accountant.

Finance
Earning money is one thing, investing is another. People interested in stocks and investing have some basic things to learn Luckily, SGX Academy and other training courses from CFA Singapore and polytechnic institutions have just the thing.

These courses do not cost more than S$200, and they can arm you with the skills such as calculating returns, observing potential growth of companies, and how movement affects certain markets.

Management
Management, particularly project management, is a must-have for every successful leader - and companies are always hungry for people striving for potential. Students of these courses learn just not how to run projects, but on how to boost soft skills as well.

Students will leave the course quick on their feet and mobile leaders. They will emerge as thinkers who can come up with solutions as soon as problems arrive. In a time where industries are frail and the market is very fragile, quick thinkers are an ace up every company's sleeve.

Information Technology
You don't have to call that one friend who is the local community's tech support. Google can make a run for its money with new technical courses on information technology.
These courses will arm students not just with skills to repair devices, but understand fundamental parts of device construction, networking devices and how applications work. Having a technical know-how in IT will surely boost your credentials.

Web Development
Have you ever wanted to build your own website? You can be tech neophyte to tech whiz in a few weeks! Singapore has a lot of institutions offering WordPress Website courses to jumpstart your career as a web developer. Though free online courses merit basic skills, signing up for classes grants you the same skill for two days.

Do compare prices and research on skills that are taught in other institutions as well. Web developers always tend to learn more than one way to make and manage websites, which is a plus in a lot of companies. Other academies also offer other rudimentary courses. Feel free to check them out and ensure these basic skills have add-ons to supplement them! Fundamental courses on online marketing, market analysis, SEO and social media optimization can grant you a lot of advantages in the corporate arena.