Press Releases
More Hands-On Learning at Assumption Pathway School
Minister Ng Eng Hen unveils artist’s impression of the new APS campus—School inks 5 industry partnerships to enhance vocational education programme
Students at Assumption Pathway School (APS) can look forward to more hands-on learning in a variety of career areas in the new year, as the school inked five new industry partnerships today. The strategic partnerships with Ascendas Services Pte Ltd, Singapore Food Industries Ltd, NTUC Foodfare Co-operative Ltd, Royal Plaza on Scotts and Zingrills Holdings Pte Ltd, will offer a variety of training opportunities, providing training for real world jobs.
Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen witnessed the signings of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) during a visit to the school today, where he also unveiled the artist’s impression of the new APS campus.
“A comprehensive vocational education programme will go a long way in preparing the students for employment or further education at the ITE. This is a good model of how the school and the private sector can work together to provide viable, real-life learning experience that will give the students an advantage when it comes to starting a job. It shows how an alternative approach to education can benefit our young people who may learn better in a different pathway”, said Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Mr Wee Tat Chuen, APS Principal, said, “We have been very excited in preparing the new curriculum and enhancing the existing programmes this year. Besides learning in the classroom setting, the school also looks to provide different opportunities and will take a pro-active approach to seek out more vocational partnerships for our pupils. Whether they go on to higher education or straight into the world of work, we want our pupils to be equipped with essential skills that will prepare them well for life”.
Vocational Education Programme (Skills Training)
APS will offer different types of vocational education and training both in and outside of the school environment. Through the MOUs, students will be exposed to real-world jobs via work attachments. For example, the industry partners will provide industrial training for students in service, food preparation, baking practices, and mechanical and electrical maintenance.
Students will go through 250 hours of a structured Industrial Attachment Programme (I-LEAP) over a period of four years. Through practical and experiential learning, the programme focuses on the important skills that students should acquire. The companies will also assign mentors to track the progress of the students and provide guidance to them during their work attachments.
Besides the industrial attachments, the other two components of the new Vocational Education Programme are: the Skills Induction Programme (SIP) in the first year, followed by the ITE Skills Certificate (ISC) Training Courses from the second year onwards. The SIP will expose students to different vocational areas to help them discover their interests, e.g. Basic Baking Skills, Basic Electrical Application, Junior Hairdressing. This will assist students in selecting the appropriate ISC course in their second year. In addition to the current ISC courses (Electrical Servicing, Mechanical Servicing and Food Preparation & Service), APS will introduce a new course in Baking Practices.
Students who spend four years in APS could specialise in more than one vocational area, to provide them with more skills and choices for progression to Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and for future employment.
Foundation Education Programme and Character Education Programme
Besides vocational training, the other key thrusts of APS’ enhanced programme are the Foundation Education Programme and Character Education Programme. The Foundation Education Programme will place greater emphasis on core competencies in English, Mathematics and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The school will adopt an experiential and hands-on approach to learning, which will also build on the experience and best practices of NorthLight School.
In terms of character development, APS will offer the Montfort Development Programme, which focuses on service to the community. This programme, together with exposure to sports, outdoor activities and the arts, aims to help students build confidence and teamwork. In addition, all students will participate in the school’s residential programme for two weeks each year, where they will be able to acquire life-skills through the experience of independent and communal living.