Despite the adverse impact from the regional economic crisis, the information technology (IT) industry continues to require an additional 1000 IT manpower till end of this year, followed by another 2000 and 2500 in 1999 and year ...
Singapore, 15 September 1998 | For Immediate Release
Continuous Acquisition of Critical IT Skills Still Key to Remain Competitive
Despite the adverse impact from the regional economic crisis, the information technology (IT) industry continues to require an additional 1000 IT manpower till end of this year, followed by another 2000 and 2500 in 1999 and year 2000 respectively. These estimates were derived from the IT Manpower Snapshot Survey* conducted in August 98 by the National Computer Board (NCB) to mirror the impact of the economic slowdown on IT manpower growth in Singapore.
IT Investments
In addition, the IT investments already in the pipeline will further create 1,500 IT employment over the next three years. The NCB believes these potential businesses will bring in a Total Business Spending (TBS) of more than S$380 million into Singapore, and create a value-add (VA) of over S$800 million for the industry.
Continuous Upgrading in Critical IT Skills
Although there are still growth areas in IT jobs, the current IT professionals have to continuously upgrade, especially in high- demand specialised IT skills, to remain employable and competitive in the long term.
To ensure that development of emerging and critical IT skills is in pace with the demand by the IT industry and user organisations, the Critical IT Resource Programme (CITREP)* has further expanded its support of critical IT skills training programmes to include three new emerging skills, namely Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Database Application Development and Year 2000 programming, over and above the existing CITREP-endorsed programmes that train IT manpower in client-server, networking, multimedia, object-oriented development and project management skills.
To date, about 2200 IT manpower have been supported under CITREP.
Upgrading of non-IT Workers
For non-IT workers who have been retrenched, are facing retrenchment danger, or have intentions to take on high value-added IT jobs, the Skills Redevelopment Programme (SRP)* does provide training for IT jobs such as computer operators, technicians and systems analysts.
"The NCB, National Trades Union Congress and the Ministry of Manpower will continue to work closely to re-train and re-deploy workers to address the manpower needs in the IT industry," said Mr Thomas Yeoh, NCB's
Assistant Chief Executive (Industry).
Notes to the Editor:
a) The projected IT manpower demand of 11% over the next two years according to the IT Manpower Survey 97 findings (released by the NCB in April 98) was prior to the impact of the economic crisis. Hence the NCB conducted the Snapshot Survey in August 98 to better reflect the IT manpower trends thereafter.
b) Companies that send their staff to attend CITREP-endorsed IT training programmes will receive 50% financial support of the course and examination fees per trainee.
c) The Skills Redevelopment Programme (SRP) supports 80% of the training course, and 70% of allowance per trainee. The SRP was started by the NTUC in December 1996 with the aim to upgrade workers to help them remain employable for life.
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