JOINT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES (Courses and Entry Requirements)

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry if he will report on the progress of the German-Singapore, French-Singapore and Japanese-Singapore joint industrial training centres, stating the types of courses available, entry requirements, methods of application for entry, and the allocation of training places that will be offered by these centres.

Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe: Question No. 7, Sir.

The Minister for Trade and Industry (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Speaker, Sir, both the German-Singapore Institute of Production Technology (GSI) and the Japan-Singapore Institute of Software Technology (JSIST) have been in operation since February 1982. The French-Singapore Institute (FSI) will take in its first batch of students in August this year.

Courses Available

The GSI offers a two-year diploma course in production technology with emphasis on cutting technology and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) techniques, design (i.e. tool and die, jigs and fixtures), production processes and industrial engineering.

The JSIST offers a two-year diploma course in programming and systems analysis. From January 1984, it will also offer advanced three- and six-month courses in systems analysis.

The FSI will be offering a two-year diploma course in electro-technology with emphasis on control engineering, instrumentation, electronics, robotics, Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing or CAD/CAM, micro-processor and computer applications.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to the above courses must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents. In addition, they must possess passes in at least two 'A' level subjects, one of which must be Mathematics, and General Paper or English at 'O' level. However, the GSI and FSI will accept applicants without such passes if they possess the relevant National Trade Certificate (NTC) 2 or EDB's Craftsmen Certificate with a minimum of two years' relevant working experience and a GCE 'O' level. For the more advanced systems analysis courses at JSIST, only applicants with tertiary educational qualifications beyond 'A' level will be accepted.

Method of Application

The Economic Development Board (EDB) normally advertises in the local press three months in advance before the commencement of the diploma courses for the three Institutes. Applicants are invited to apply for the various courses through the EDB.

Allocation of Training Places

Applicants are required to sit for an aptitude test and attend an interview before a panel comprising members from the EDB and the Institutes.

Progress Report

The GSI has recruited three batches of students since February 1982. The intakes are scheduled six-monthly, in February and August. 50 students are accepted per intake and this will increase to 100 from August 1983 onwards. There are 151 students currently undergoing training at the Institute. It will reach its maximum enrolment capacity of 450 by February 1985.

The JSIST has recruited two batches of students since February 1982. Current student enrolment is 100. Another batch of 50 students will be recruited in August 1983. From 1984 onwards, a systems analysis course will be offered to graduates of tertiary institutions. JSIST is expected to reach its maximum enrolment capacity of 250 by August 1984.

The construction of the FSI will be completed by April 1983. The Institute will take in the first batch of 50 students in August 1983. The intake of students is scheduled six monthly. The number of students per intake will increase to 100 from August 1984 onwards. The Institute will reach its maximum enrolment capacity of 400 by February 1986.