Numbers of Graduates from ITE's Full-time Technical Diploma Courses and Their Starting Salaries

29 Mr Abdul Samad asked the Minister for Education with regard to the three full-time Technical Diploma courses offered by the Institute of Technical Education (a) to date, how many students have graduated from these courses; (b) whether the starting salaries of these graduates are equivalent to that of diploma holders from the local Polytechnics; and (c) if not, what are the latest starting salary ranges in respect of these graduates.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), in partnership with leading international Vocational and Technical Education providers, offers Technical Diplomas (TDs) to provide students with industry-recognised skills training. ITE currently offers three Technical Diplomas in Machine Technology, Automotive Engineering, and Culinary Arts.

Since the first TD was launched in 2008, ITE has trained around 800 TD graduates. Based on the annual Graduate Employment Survey, the median gross monthly starting salaries of TD graduates in full-time permanent employment are comparable to that of polytechnic diploma graduates in the last five years.