Extending Structured Internships for Students in Digital Technology Courses to Students in Other Programmes

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan, Pioneer

Question

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Education in light of recent efforts in strengthening internships and other structured workplace learning for students in digital technologies programmes as pathways into longer-term employment after graduation, whether the Ministry is planning similar initiatives for students in other programmes.

Response

1. The Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) are strengthening internships and structured workplace learning across a wide range of programmes and sectors, not only digital technologies. These opportunities provide a pathway to employment, help students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, and build work-relevant competencies.

2. Almost all IHL programmes require students to complete an internship as part of graduation requirements. IHLs work with sector agencies and companies to strengthen the quality of the internships. For example, companies in the built environment sector have worked with IHLs to introduce a longer internship programme with structured mentoring and clear learning outcomes to provide stronger pathways into the sector.

3. Beyond internships, IHLs offer other forms of workplace exposure, including industry projects, longer work attachments and Work-Study programmes. For example, through the Young Talent Programme for AI in Finance, the Institute of Banking and Finance and the Monetary Authority of Singapore are partnering with the Autonomous Universities to provide students hands-on industry knowledge. Through industry projects, mentorship, internships and traineeships, students gain practical experience and exposure to financial institutions, better preparing them to secure and succeed in future jobs in financial institutions. In addition, to provide students with longer work exposure, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is piloting a new “2+2” model where students from selected programmes spend almost two years of their degree programme in the workplace.

4. MOE and the IHLs welcome sector agencies and industry partners to work with us to strengthen or expand such opportunities. This will give students deeper exposure to the workplace, help them develop the sector-relevant skills, as well as familiarise and better prepare them for the sectors and companies they may join.