The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech),a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) jointly launched the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Graduate Diploma in Process Technology (Sustainable Manufacturing) programme today. The programme aims to help companies and professionals in the manufacturing sector acquire the expertise to put in place sustainable manufacturing practices.
2. Sustainable manufacturing encompasses the integrated development of manufacturing processes and practices to optimise usage of resources, energy and capital over the entire lifecycle of a product so as to achieve sustainability in the long run. Through the new WSQ Graduate Diploma programme, managers, engineers and technical staff in the manufacturing industry will gain critical know-how to address important issues including carbon footprint quantification & reduction, renewable energy & energy efficiency, evaluation and processing of sustainable materials, resource recovery from waste, product eco-design and green supply chain management.
3. Application is now open for the first intake commencing in June 2010 with a cohort of up to 30 participants. Participants will benefit from a combination of lectures, hands-on exercises and case studies conducted by experienced industry specialists and SIMTech scientists, and will be able to apply the skills and knowledge gained at the workplace.
4. The programme will be carried out in a modular manner. A Statement of Attainment will be issued upon the successful completion of each module. On completion of all six modules, participants will be awarded the WSQ Graduate Diploma in Process Technology (Sustainable Manufacturing). The nett course fee, after funding from WDA, is S$ 1,500 for the WSQ Graduate Diploma qualification or S$250 for each module.
5. Said Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director of SIMTech, “Enterprises, big and small, have become more environmentally aware and socially responsible. The consequences of environmental pollution and climate change are inevitably causing manufacturers to rethink their strategies in terms of production processes, resource utilisation and disposal as well as marketing. The WSQ Graduate Diploma in Process Technology (Sustainable Manufacturing) programme is specially designed to cover relevant and key aspects of sustainable manufacturing to assist manufacturers to be environmentally sustainable in their manufacturing processes and acquire competitive advantage.”
6. “This new programme equips professionals in the manufacturing sector with up-to-date skills and knowledge to embark on sustainable manufacturing practices in their organisations. Given the rising importance of environmental sustainability worldwide, the development of such know-how will help our companies extend their competitive edge in the global market.” said Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief Executive of WDA.
7. The WSQ Graduate Diploma in Process Technology (Sustainable Manufacturing) is one of the several Workforce Skills Qualifications Programmes that SIMTech developed with WDA. Four other programmes launched in the areas of medtech manufacturing, precision engineering, manufacturing operations management and precision measurements and characterisation are targeted at the medtech and precision engineering industries. These aim to equip professionals, managers, executives and technicians as well as new entrants with relevant skills to migrate into high-value manufacturing in the respective industries.
8. In addition to this programme in sustainable manufacturing, SIMTech is developing the Singapore Carbon Label with the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). This is a Singapore initiative to support our country’s transition to a recognised low carbon economy. A memorandum of understanding is signed today to initiate the collaboration.
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