A Timely Partnership to Step-Up Covid-19 Testing in Singapore

Singapore 1 October, 2020 – COVID-19 has impacted many countries globally and Singapore is not spared. As our nation continues its battle with COVID-19, there remains an urgency to ensure that testing for the virus is available across the island. To support the demand for more specialised laboratory technicians, Temasek Foundation brought together Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to develop a two-week course called RNA Virus Molecular-based Testing-Training.

 

The course curriculum was developed by staff from TP’s School of Applied Science, and will train participants to do COVID-19 testing via blended learning and hands-on practical sessions. Lessons will cover basic knowledge and skills needed to work in a molecular diagnostic laboratory for virus detection. The training involves the use of automated commercial diagnostic equipment, contributed by Temasek Foundation.

 

“Temasek Foundation is glad to have the opportunity to support tertiary institutions like Temasek Polytechnic, e2i and the private medical sector to raise, train and sustain a larger pool of laboratory technologists. This will boost the bench strength of Singapore’s test labs, enabling such facilities to meet the demands of the broader national COVID-19 testing efforts, to make our communities safer. We also hope that such courses will provide the participants with in-demand, industry-relevant skill sets, enabling them to chart new exciting career paths as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Mr Ng Boon Heong, CEO Temasek Foundation.

 

The course saw its first run on 14 September. In the first week of training, lessons were conducted in TP, after which participants are attached to molecular diagnostic laboratories working with Temasek Foundation to support the COVID-19 testing efforts.

 

“While the work in test laboratories takes place unseen by the public, it is a crucial step in the fight against COVID-19 that demands accurate, timely and meticulous attention by laboratory staff. The two-week course curriculum is rigorous and relevant to the broader efforts to expand diagnostic testing capacity, and ultimately, to stem local transmission through proactive testing. Beyond the course of the pandemic, the curriculum also will lay a good foundation for people interested in charting new careers as laboratory technicians, as well as existing lab staff looking to refresh their skills and pick up the latest virus detection techniques,” said Dr Daniel Tan, CEO Parkway Health Laboratory.

 

This training is an opportunity for polytechnic and ITE graduates to upskill or reskill to support the job demands in the various hospital and testing laboratories nationwide. It is also a chance for current Laboratory Technologists and Medical Laboratory Assistants to learn more about how labs are handling COVID-19 testing. For a start, as course lead, TP hopes to train about 240 people by November 2020.

 

In the event of overwhelming demand for the training, TP will share all training materials with staff from Singapore Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic, who have kindly availed themselves and their labs to support the programme. TP will also conduct train-the-trainer courses for their staff.

 

"Temasek Polytechnic is honoured to play a lead role in training laboratory technologists help Singapore combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Our chemistry and biomedical teams from the School of Applied Science have put together a blended learning curriculum that offers hands-on opportunities for participants to learn the latest testing techniques for viruses, as the nation ramps up our testing efforts. We thank Temasek Foundation for donating the test equipment, and the laboratories for providing the attachment opportunities for our trainees,” said Mr Peter Lam, Principal & CEO.

 

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), Mr Gilbert Tan said: “NTUC’s e2i is pleased to partner Temasek Foundation and Temasek Polytechnic to put together a training course which enables workers and job seekers to be equipped with the relevant skills to help process COVID-19 laboratory testing. This will benefit our pool of local job seekers who are keen to enter the medical technology sector; or existing lab technicians who wish to upgrade their current skills, to tap on new job opportunities created by the laboratories.”

 

Subject to terms and conditions, Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents can enjoy up to 90% SSG funding for the course.

 

Please see Annex 1 for the stories of some course participants.

 

Media is kindly invited to write about this collaboration and the RNA Virus Molecular-based Testing-Training course.

 

For enquiries, or interviews, please contact the following:

 

Ms Vimala Christie

Corporate Communications

Temasek Polytechnic

Contact: 97900319

vimala_CHRISTIE@tp.edu.sg

 

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Annex 1 – Stories of Participants of the RNA Virus Molecular-based Testing-Training

 

Clement Chung (51)

 

After getting a diploma in Biotechnology some 30 years ago, Clement worked in a research institute lab for a little more than a year, then decided to change vocations. He studied Accountancy and went on to work for 25 years as an accountant. Five years ago, he started his own business, providing professional accountancy services. But when this didn’t work out, Clement took on ad hoc accountancy assignments, while looking for a job.

 

As Singapore grappled with COVID-19, Clement was interested to help in any way he could and called Singapore Healthcare Corps who suggested that he should sign up for the RNA Virus Molecular-based Testing Training course. “Since I have a life sciences background and have worked in a lab before, I was confident that I had the necessary skills knowledge and wanted to help,” said Clement who continued, “COVID-19 is not going to go away any time soon. There will be an increasing demand for testing, so if I could help, why not?”

 

Clement found the two-week course very comprehensive and relevant. It brought back fond memories of his first job, working in a lab. He is looking forward to his five days of attachment at a lab and hopes that it will open doors for him to eventually work in a hospital lab.

 

Nur Shazana Binte Sanif (28)

 

Married for a year, Shazana has a diploma in Chemical & Pharmaceutical Technology. She went on to get a degree in Biomedical Science from Bradford University, offered by the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). She was really looking forward to working in a lab as the work is hands-on. “I do not enjoy being deskbound and I enjoy learning new things each day, so I was eager to start working in a lab environment,” said Shazana. Unfortunately, being a fresh graduate, she lacked experience and could not find employment.

 

She turned to giving tuition while looking for a permanent job. Then a friend working at told her about a job opening for a medical secretary. She was working there until two weeks ago, when her contract ended and she wanted to do something more relevant to her degree. Interestingly, on the last day of her work, Shazana received an email telling her about the RNA Virus Molecular-based Testing Training course. “This was exactly the stepping stone I was looking for,” she said, as not only would she get an opportunity to be trained and work in a lab, this experience would open up a new pathway for her.

 

The two-week training has helped Shazana refresh her memory of what she learnt in university. She is looking forward to doing her bit in helping out during this critical time of COVID-19 and eventually hopes to work in a hospital or commercial lab. “I’d just like to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said. .

 

Wee Jun Xiang (23)

 

Upon graduating from TP’s Pharmaceutical Science diploma course in 2017, Jun Xiang served his national service, then pursued a degree in Biomedical Science with La Trobe University. He completed his degree in just one year, as a result of exemptions. A young man who wants to work in biosafety or forensics, Jun Xiang set his heart on a job in a lab. “I enjoy doing experiments, am very hands-on and I’ve always been so curious about science,” he said.

 

Fresh out of university, Jun Xiang decided to go for the RNA Virus Molecular-based Testing Training course as Singapore is in the thick of COVID-19 testing. “I want to be closer to what is happening – I enjoy the adrenalin rush!” says the young man, who found the two-week course interesting, in-depth and a good reminder of what he learnt in university. “I feel this course is good as it gives people connections to get a head-start for people like me who have just graduated and have no prior experience,” said Jun Xiang.

 

What a fairytale ending too for Jun Xiang – the lab he will be attached to next week, has also offered him a full-time job, as a Medical Technologist!

 

Jonathan Roy S/O Vijayan (27)

 

With a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Pharmaceutical Science from La Trobe University, Jonathan started looking for a job from June this year. He was adamant about working in a hospital or a medical lab because he wanted to better understand and see for himself how medical samples are processed and analysed. So imagine his elation when he was offered a job as a Medical Technologist with Parkway Pantai, last month.

 

Jonathan’s interest in the medical field is the result of two key factors – firstly, his mother was diagnosed with early stage Parkinson’s disease recently, and secondly, most of his family work in the medical line. His eldest sister is a senior nurse in Australia, his second sister is a senior social worker and his third sister is an organ transplant co-ordinator.

 

“As medical technologists, we process many samples every day, so it is very important to follow the right protocols to ensure our safety. This course is very thorough in teaching me the importance of doing lab tests properly and emphasises why these protocols are necessary, especially now during this pandemic,” said Jonathan, who went on to say, “I consider myself very fortunate to be attending this fully funded training within the first month of employment and am so happy to be part of Singapore’s fight against COVID-19!”