Speeches
Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education, at the Graduation Ceremony and Presentation of Certificates (ITE Skills Certificate) for the Singapore Association for the Deaf, Mountbatten Vocational School, on Saturday, 12 July 2008 at Sheraton Towers Singapore
Mr. Gerard Francis, Chairman/Supervisor School Management Committee Mountbatten Vocational School
Members, Executive Council The Singapore Association for the Deaf
Parents and Graduands
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon.
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to be with you today at the Graduation of the tenth cohort of the ITE Skills Certificate training programme offered by Mountbatten Vocational School. Congratulations to all graduands and their parents on this happy occasion.
Developing a Knowledgeable and Skilled Workforce
I am heartened that institutions like Mountbatten Vocational School make learning relevant, fresh and engaging for their students. Such efforts are aligned with the objectives of the Continuing Education and Training (CET) Masterplan which aims to prepare Singaporean workers for the future.
Through the Continuing Education and Training Masterplan, the Government will work with various institutions to establish high quality CET Institutes that support the vision of creating a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Recognising that every individual has different capabilities, the CET ensures that learning can take place at many skill levels and that programmes are kept current and congruent with industry demands.
Building Exposure through Partnerships
In the same way, Special Education programmes are aimed at developing the potential of students to be independent and contributing members of society. Hence, programmes such as the ITE Skills Certificate form an essential part of pre-employment training. Such training needs are tailored to meet the requirements of employers. Recognising the importance of internship and attachment in the training process, Mountbatten Vocational School has incorporated a work-based training segment in the second year of its two-year programme. This allows trainees to gain familiarity of the workplace, to understand the expectations of employers, and to apply their skills in an actual working environment.
This exposure has been effective and it works both ways: it helps people with disabilities to be better prepared for work and vice versa, for the employer and colleagues to better understand the strengths and abilities of the trainees. I understand that the school has had many successful partnerships with organisations such as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Subway Restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Sheraton Towers. These corporations have partnered the school in its training for many years—some for as long as eleven years. I take this opportunity to thank the training partners for their support. Your role in providing encouragement and opportunities is important in motivating the students to realise their full potential.
Outstanding Students
To the graduating students here today, I congratulate you on your achievements. Each of you brings your own unique personality, strengths and abilities to the school and to your jobs in the future. Some of you have shown exceptional courage and determination and I would like to mention a few here. Gunaselan Jaykumaran overcame his initial apprehension at being enrolled in a special environment. Although vision impaired, he has shown that he can be effective on the job by varying the ordering process at NYDC. He does this by conversing with the customers while asking and affirming their food choices. Initially shy and timid, Grace Cho overcame her inhibitions by focusing on mastering the structure and sequence of the various tasks in Secret Recipe to become an effective team player. Muhammad Haziq conquered various personal obstacles and demonstrated determination during his attachment with ALJ Singapore where he did warehousing work.
I am certain that these outstanding individuals and their fellow graduands have worked hard to reach this point of their learning journey. The next step for you is exciting and I am confident that you will face it with great confidence. Everyone of you, including your parents and your loved ones, have every reason to be proud of yourselves. In your learning journey, your parents and your family members have played an important part in supporting you, taking care of you and loving you. Please remember to give your parents and family members a hug and thank them for all that they have done for you. Not forgetting the teachers who played a special role in the growth of the trainees, thank you for your patience and concern for them.
Thank you all.