Important to raise quality of early childhood educators: Chan Chun Sing
By Kimberly Spykerman, Channel NewsAsia, 31 May 2014
By Kimberly Spykerman, Channel NewsAsia, 31 May 2014
The government is committed to providing affordable, accessible and quality early childhood services, thus it is intent on raising the quality of professionals working in the sector.
In order to increase the number of professionals in the sector, it will target new and mid-career entrants.
The government will also ensure those currently working in the sector continue to find their work meaningful and challenging.
Singapore's early childhood education sector is growing fast, thus there is a need not just for more educators, but quality manpower.
Post by MSF Singapore.
Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said: "In 2008, perhaps only one in six of our children in that age group required early childhood services.
“Today, we are at one in three, and in a few years’ time, we will probably reach one in two, and for some of the new estates it could be even higher than that.
“So obviously there is a tremendous need not just for numbers, but also quality manpower in the sector."
Mr Chan was speaking at the inaugural Early Childhood Career and Education Fair held at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday.
The fair is not just a recruitment platform for preschool operators, but also a way for the public to find out more about the career opportunities and training that are available within the sector.
On Saturday, more than 500 positions were available for jobseekers.
A Traineeship Programme by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) was also launched, which will give jobseekers a taste of what they can expect as an early childhood educator.
They will get on-the-job training for up to two weeks, a training allowance, and incentives of up to S$500 if they complete the programme and stay on in the sector.
Ng Cher Pong, WDA’s chief executive, said: "We think that this will benefit particularly economically inactive Singaporeans, such as back-to-work women who are thinking of rejoining the workforce. And this will facilitate their re-entry into the labour market.
“For employers, they are operating against a very tight labour market. This will enable them to draw in groups that would perhaps be a bit hesitant to join the workforce."
Ng Cher Pong, WDA’s chief executive, said: "We think that this will benefit particularly economically inactive Singaporeans, such as back-to-work women who are thinking of rejoining the workforce. And this will facilitate their re-entry into the labour market.
“For employers, they are operating against a very tight labour market. This will enable them to draw in groups that would perhaps be a bit hesitant to join the workforce."
So far, 15 pre-school operators have joined the programme.
WDA said through the programme -- which is also supported by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) -- trainees get a better understanding of the position in a hands-on setting, while employers can better gauge whether the trainees are suitable before offering them jobs.
Judy Chan, a special education teacher, said: "I'm planning for my retirement, and for my retirement I would like to move on to help children of a younger age, so I came here to look for a workshop."
As for those already in the industry, Mr Chan said a minimum of four days a year should be set aside for them to train and upgrade their skills.
"This is the minimum we would hope to achieve. Over time we hope to do even more as we go along.
“At the same time, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has started a registry to build our pool of relief teachers --no different from the primary school and the formal education system -- so that when our early childhood professionals go for training, we need not worry about the manpower issues in the centre," added Mr Chan.
Mr Chan also launched an ECDA Career Guide for those interested in a career in the early childhood sector.
The guide provides information about the sector, various entry pathways, as well as training opportunities and support available.
Allowance for pre-school trainees too low
I was surprised to learn that trainees in pre-schools receive an hourly allowance that is as low as $4.50 ("Traineeship scheme for pre-schools"; last Sunday).
How can the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) attract good talent if it offers such a low allowance?
Most fast-food chains pay their part-time workers more than $4.50 an hour.
A pre-school worker should command higher pay than a fast-food worker, as the former has a wider job scope and greater responsibilities.
I hope the WDA will review the allowance of trainees to attract better talent.
Leong Kok Seng
ST Forum, 8 Jun 2014
ST Forum, 8 Jun 2014
Allowance for trainees: WDA replies
We thank Mr Leong Kok Seng forhis feedback on training allowance for pre-school trainees under the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) traineeship programme ("Allowance for pre-school trainees too low"; last Sunday).
The traineeship programme is a short-term on-the-job training arrangement with hiring companies to allow trainees to gain practical exposure in an actual work environment.
Job seekers such as back-to-work individuals or those looking to make a career switch are welcome to join this programme.
Apart from the early childhood sector, traineeships are also available to job seekers interested in the retail, hospitality, and food and beverage sectors.
Across the sectors, trainees will receive the same training allowance of $4.50 an hour, and a $200 completion allowance at the end of the programme. If these trainees remain employed in the sector or job relevant to the programme for three consecutive months, they will receive an additional retention incentive of $300.
Trainees who have completed the traineeship programme and are keen to undertake a career in the sector can access further training opportunities to be equipped with the required skill sets.
Overall, we hope that trainees will find the programme attractive and useful in their career journeys.
WDA will continue to work closely with our partners to develop and fine-tune programmes to strengthen the employability of job seekers.
Kenneth Wong
Director, Corporate and Marketing Communications
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
Director, Corporate and Marketing Communications
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
ST Forum, 15 Jun 2014
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