The Institute of Systems Science (ISS, www.iss.nus.edu.sg ) has been appointed by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) as Singapore's first Infocomm Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre.

Infocomm leaders take part in a panel discussion at the official announcement of ISS' appointment as Singapore's first Continuing Education and Training Centre.

As an Infocomm CET Centre, the National University of Singapore's ISS provides training courses accredited under the National Infocomm Competency Framework (NICF) , offering professionals an avenue to continually upgrade and enhance their skills and knowledge. "We are confident that ISS will help Singapore build up a globally competitive infocomm workforce," said Ms Christina Gan, Senior Director (Infocomm Security and Manpower Development) of IDA.

ISS will provide industry-relevant NICF training accredited under WDA's Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system, as well as a holistic suite of value-added services such as career advisory and industry networking opportunities to help infocomm professionals and aspiring new entrants, said Ms Lynn Ng, Director (Community and Professional Services) of WDA.

Nine of ISS' NICF programmes are currently accredited under WSQ. The goal is to run 26 accredited programmes to train 3,000 infocomm professionals over three years.

Mr Foong Sew Bun, Chairperson of the NICF Steering Committee, who is also the Chief Technology Officer at IBM Singapore, and an IBM Distinguished Engineer, said the NICF sets the benchmark for the high value-added skills that the infocomm industry needs to deliver quality solutions, products and services. "This will help Singapore maintain our highly skilled infocomm talent pool as well as our competitive edge," he added.

Some of the organisations that have sent their staff for training at ISS include Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Neptune Orient Lines Limited (NOL) and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC Bank).

Ms Wu Choy Peng, Group Chief Information Officer, NOL, said adopting the NICF enables the NOL to advance the competency levels of its IT organisation and helps ensure that its IT staff remain proficient and effective in their jobs.

IRAS also adopts the NICF as a benchmark to assess skill competency along the respective training and career pathways, said its Assistant Commissioner (Infocomm Division) and Chief Information Officer Ms Tang Wai Yee. "At IRAS, we believe our staff are our greatest asset. We send our staff for training and certification to enable them to attain skill proficiency to do their job well," she said.

One of the courses accredited under NICF is the ISS' Certified IT Project Management (CITPM). Ms Ho Shou Kwang, Senior Vice President, Information Technology, OCBC, said, "The CITPM training has enhanced our overall project management competency. Our project managers are now equipped with a better appreciation of project management processes. The training has definitely contributed to the success of OCBC Bank's IT projects."