YOUR GUIDE TO THE NATIONAL PRECISION ENGINEERING STUDY AWARD NPESA
CONTENTS WHY PRECISION ENGINEERING (PE)? HOW CAN THE NPESA HELP YOU? IS THE NPESA RIGHT FOR YOU? JOIN THE NPESA COMMUNITY HOW DO I APPLY? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS NPESA APPLICATION FORM PAGE 04 04 05 06 06 07/08/09 10/11/12
01 WHY PRECISION ENGINEERING (PE)? PE Specialists help to solve some of the world s biggest problems and play an important role in creating the next technological breakthrough. PE Specialists can build their careers in industries as diverse as Oil and Gas, Marine and Offshore, Medical Technology and Aerospace Machining. Their expertise is crucial in creating a diverse range of products from the smallest semiconductor chips, to the most cuttingedge of medical devices, and the largest drill bits used in oil exploration. 02 HOW CAN THE NPESA HELP YOU? The National Precision Engineering Study Award (NPESA) was introduced by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to grow the talent pipeline that is needed to support advanced engineering and manufacturing businesses. Established in 2012, the NPESA is offered to eligible Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students enrolled fulltime in one of the following PE courses: NITEC in Aerospace Machining Technology NITEC in Laser & Tooling Technology NITEC in Medical Manufacturing Technology To support ITE students who wish to explore a career in PE, the NPESA provides: Full sponsorship of ITE fees S$500 monthly allowance for the duration of the NITEC course, amounting to S$12,000 over two years Option to defer the twoyear work commitment (up to twice) to pursue higher education Opportunity to apply for overseas postings to complete industry attachment 04 DID YOU KNOW? Singapore accounts for about 10% of global output for compressors for refrigerators used in millions of kitchens, 30% of global output for hearing aids, 70% of wire bonders used in the semiconductor industry and 70% of jack up oil rigs used for deep sea oil extraction. In 2009, the PE industry employed more than 91,300 people in Singapore, making up 22% of the total manufacturing workforce, and this number is set to grow. Singapore is a global leader in the PE industry and we supply to nine of the top 10 wafer fabrication equipment companies in the world.
03 IS THE NPESA RIGHT FOR YOU? I have achieved one of the following*: ITE GPA 2.5 and above N Level B grade and above in Mathematics OR Science O Level C grade and above in Mathematics OR Science I wish to be financially independent while I study I would like the chance to go overseas for my industry attachment I want to work in the PE industry I wish to have more career growth opportunities *Latest results apply. All applicants will also be required to pass an interview. 05
04 JOIN THE NPESA COMMUNITY ATIQAH HAMZAH Draftsmen, Makino Asia The industry connections and exposure I received as an NPESA holder helped me to secure an industry attachment at Makino Asia, a reputable integrated manufacturing company with a regional presence. Upon graduation, I was offered a fulltime position where I continued to grow and develop my expertise. My previous supervisor, who guided me through the early days on the job, was hugely inspiring. She has now moved on to another PE role in the gaming industry, which makes me really excited for the many possibilities the future holds. MUHAMMAD IRSHAD NOORHALIM Technician, Coherent Singapore I signed up for the NPESA with my twin brother Irfan. Coming from a large family, the financial freedom the NPESA gave us was much welcomed. Receiving a monthly allowance of S$500 each meant that we were able to cover our own expenses and help our parents out. I was also fortunate enough to secure a three month allexpensespaid industry attachment with Coherent to visit their American headquarters in Santa Clara, California. It was my first time to America; I learnt a lot, had the opportunity to travel and made many friends. It was a memorable experience that gave me both valuable skills training and a meaningful perspective on working in PE that I am sure will come in handy when I start work. 05 HOW DO I APPLY? REQUEST FOR AN APPLICATION FORM Call, text or WhatsApp the NPESA hotline at +65 9613 7175 Email npesa@edb.gov.sg Or speak to your class advisor 06
06 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PRECISION ENGINEERING (PE) 1. WHAT IS PE? The PE sector supports advanced manufacturing businesses in Singapore across many industries PE is the crucial enabler for industries as diverse as Oil and Gas, Marine and Offshore, Medical Technology and Aerospace Machining PE education and training will arm individuals with skills to design and build complex components and equipment such as: complicated aircraft engines medical equipment that will improve the lives of people with physical disabilities or injuries the tiniest semiconductor chips that will be used in millions of devices around the world 2. WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS OF THE PE INDUSTRY IN SINGAPORE? Today, there are some 2,700 companies in the PE sector, ranging from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational corporations (MNCs) By 2020, PE Specialists will fill 90% of the jobs in the industry NATIONAL PRECISION ENGINEERING STUDY AWARD (NPESA) 1. WHY SHOULD I SIGN UP FOR THE NPESA? GET AHEAD Land the best internships and job opportunities in the PE industry Students with exemplary performance will have the opportunity to do an overseas internship of up to three months, with paid airfare and allowance Be part of an exclusive community with fellow NPESA awardees and get invited to workshops, camps and events where you can network with people from the industry (including your potential future employer!) BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT Receive a monthly allowance of S$500 for the duration of the course (two years) Receive a full sponsorship of NITEC school fees for the duration of the course (two years) 2. WHAT IF I WANT TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AFTER GETTING MY NITEC CERTIFICATE? NPESA holders are welcome to complete their Higher NITEC and/or a Diploma course in a PErelated field, before fulfilling the twoyear work commitment in the PE industry Deferments are capped at Diploma level 07
3. WILL I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE IF I TAKE A PE COURSE IN A POLYTECHNIC? No, the monthly allowance of S$500 is only effective for the twoyear duration of your fulltime NITEC course in ITE 4. IF I NEED TO SERVE MY NATIONAL SERVICE, WHEN WILL I HAVE TO START WORKING? You will join the PE industry after National Service or upon completing your Higher NITEC and/or a Diploma course if you choose to pursue higher education (Note: Enlistment for National Service is not considered a deferment.) 5. CAN I TAKE A NON PERELATED DIPLOMA COURSE IN POLYTECHNIC? NPESA awardees who are interested in furthering their studies are expected to deepen their expertise in PE to better equip themselves to work in the industry Thus, only relevant Diploma courses (listed in table below) are permitted INSTITUTION Institute of Technical Education College Central Nanyang Polytechnic Republic Polytechnic Singapore Polytechnic Temasek Polytechnic COURSE Technical Engineer Diploma in Machine Technology 1. Diploma in Digital and Precision Engineering 2. Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1. Diploma in Engineering Systems 2. Diploma in Mechanical Engineering 3. Diploma in Mechatronics & Robotics Diploma in Mechatronics 6. DO I HAVE TO FIND MY OWN COMPANY TO FULFILL MY BOND? Yes, you can choose the company you wish to work for This is typical of noncompany specific study awards NPESA awardees should not face difficulties finding a job in a relevant industry, and can approach the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) should such difficulties arise 7. MUST I COMPLETE THE TWOYEAR WORK COMMITMENT IN THE SAME COMPANY? It is recommended that you do, as the work experience will encompass onthejob training and you will acquire deep industryspecific knowledge You will also improve your rate of progression and career growth potential 8. DO I NEED TO MAINTAIN A GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)? You will need to obtain a GPA of more than 2.5 at the end of your twoyear NITEC course If your GPA falls to 2.5 or below at any point of time, continue to work harder as only the final grade will be taken into account Feel free to speak to your class advisors any time during your school year if you require help with your studies 08
9. CAN FEMALES APPLY FOR THE NPESA? Of course they can! The NPESA recognises all students with good attitudes, who display outstanding calibre and show a keen interest in PE 10. HOW/WHEN CAN I APPLY? To request for an application form: call, text or WhatsApp the NPESA hotline at +65 9613 7175 email npesa@edb.gov.sg or speak to your class advisor MY CAREER IN PRECISION ENGINEERING (PE) 1. CAN I JOIN ANOTHER INDUSTRY AFTER COMPLETING MY EDUCATION? NPESA holders are expected to work for two years in PErelated industries upon completing their studies and National Service (where applicable) Examples of related industries are Marine and Offshore, Oil and Gas, Medical Technology and Aerospace Machining 2. WHAT CAN I EXPECT MY STARTING SALARY TO BE? Starting salaries for fresh NITEC graduates will differ from company to company A typical starting salary for a fresh PE NITEC graduate is approximately S$1,600 per month 3. WHAT IS A MASTER CRAFTSMAN? In line with the government s focus on deepening skills and knowledge, the Precision Engineering Master Craftsman (PeMC) Programme was launched by Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) with support from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), SPRING Singapore and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency PeMC is a twoyear, parttime course conducted by NYP. Upon completion of the course, participants are awarded two Diplomas: WSQ Diploma in Precision Engineering (Master Craftsmen Skills) and the WSQ Specialist Diploma in Precision Engineering (Master Craftsmen Skills) Graduates of the PeMC programme may be nominated by their companies to be certified by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation as Master Craftsmen at least one year after graduation More information can be found at the NYP website: http://www.nyp.edu.sg/seg/continuingeducationntrainingcet/wsqdiplomainprecisionengineeringmastercraftsmanskills 4. WHAT CAN I EXPECT MY SALARY TO BE AS A MASTER CRAFTSMAN? Salaries will differ from company to company A typical starting salary for a Master Craftsman after obtaining industry certification is minimally S$3,500 per month 09