The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is prepared to spend S$5 million (US$2.9 million) in the next year on upgrading the skill sets of 3,500 infocomm professionals under its Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Program (CITREP).
The funds set aside for the next year will also support an expanded scope of skills areas covered by CITREP. The new areas of wireless communications and infocomm security technology will be added to the existing areas of focus on e-commerce, infocomm convergence, project management and business management (Infocomm).
“Despite the economic slowdown, we want to encourage organizations and individuals to continue with the important task of upgrading skill sets. With the enhancements made to the Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Program, the Government hopes that Singapore’s Infocomm professionals will seize this opportunity to upgrade and re-skill, if necessary, to catch the next wave of the economic and technological cycle,” said Yeo Cheow Tong, Singapore’s minister for Communications and Information Technology.
Since its launch in 1989, CITREP has provided more than 10,000 infocomm professionals with essential training for critical and emerging infocomm skills. These professionals, who were sponsored by their companies, had enjoyed a 50 percent subsidy under CITREP.
Beginning September 1 this year, however, such company sponsored applicants will be eligible for an increased 70 percent subsidy under the Program, covering course fees as well as exam fees. The subsidy amount will be capped at S$2,500 (US$1,400) per trainee, per course.
The CITREP subsidy will also be extended to self-sponsored individuals from next month, enabling them to apply for a 50 percent reimbursement of their course and exam fees. The funding limit for self-sponsored individuals will also be capped at S$2,500 per trainee, per year.
Every Singapore citizen and permanent resident holding at least an infocomm diploma can apply for the CITREP subsidy. Applications should be sent at least 10 days before the course starts to the IDA Web site. Information on the application procedure can also be found at the Web site from September 1.
