Temasek Polytechnic has launched a new through-train programme which assigns diploma holders a place in a local university, allows them to graduate with a degree up to one year earlier than their peers, and assures them of a full-time job thereafter.  What more can a diploma student ask for?

The first such programme in Singapore, this new pathway to getting a degree is offered to selected final year students from 3 diploma courses in TP’s School of Engineering, namely, the Diploma in Mechatronics (MTN), Diploma in Green Building & Sustainability (GBS), and Diploma in Integrated Facility Management (IFM).  It will start in April 2020.

MTN diploma holders will be placed in the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Design & Manufacturing) Honours programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), while those from GBS and IFM will do the Bachelor of Science (Facilities & Events Management) degree course at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

Students who are selected for this through-train route will study 3 or more university modules during their final year at polytechnic, do their internship with a sponsoring company, and graduate with a diploma.  They then move on to university, where they will  study and work concurrently for the same company, and then join the company as a full-time employee after getting their degree.

Students are selected for this scheme not just based on their academic performance but also through interviews with the respective university and employer.  They must also maintain an academic grade point average (GPA) during their studies, to continue in the programme.

Unlike existing Earn & Learn Programmes (ELP) which start after a student completes his or  her diploma course, this new through-train scheme allows students to join the programme in their 3rd year at polytechnic, thereby giving them a longer and more effective workplace learning stint with the same employer.

This new through-train programme, announced by Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung at a work-learn carnival held on 12 Jul 2019, may be extended to other polytechnics and courses later on.