Career Counselling for Polytechnic Students

72 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) whether polytechnic students are getting sufficient information about the wide range of careers in Singapore.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: In the polytechnics, there is a structured ECG curriculum in place, delivered by the lecturers with the support of the ECG Counsellors on campus. This is complemented by a wide range of resources made available to students, such as labour market information and information on upgrading opportunities. Students will also be able to access the MySkillsFuture portal, once it becomes available later this year, where they can easily retrieve information on courses, job opportunities and the latest industry developments.

To enable students to find out more about their industries of interest, the polytechnics also organise career fairs, company visits and talks by alumni or industry practitioners regularly. These events ensure that students are updated on the growth prospects of the industry and aware of what working in the industry will be like and the requirements to join the industry.

There are also opportunities for deeper exposure to specific companies and industries through internships and mentorships. Internships are an integral component of polytechnic education, which allow students to experience realistic work conditions, develop relevant skillsets and better assess their career options and preferences.