A*STAR’s research institute SIMTech initiates technology consortia with Precision Engineering (PE) companies and launches inaugural PE WSQ Graduate Diploma courses with WDA in the areas of High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing and Precision Measurements and Characterisation to uplift the local Precision Engineering (PE) industry
1. Singapore, 10 June 2009: The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), announced two new initiatives today involving the formation of technology consortia and development of manpower to boost the local Precision Engineering (PE) industry. These initiatives are significant to propel the industry’s capabilities to handle more complex manufacturing processes.
2. The two new initiatives will focus in the areas of High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing and Precision Measurements and Characterisation. In each of these areas, a technology consortium will be formed with SIMTech and PE companies to develop technologies required. Complementing these consortia are new Precision Engineering Workforce Skills Qualifications (PE WSQ) Graduate Diploma Programmes jointly organised by SIMTech and the Singapore For Immediate Release Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to equip Professionals, Managers and Engineers (PMEs) with relevant skills in these niche and specialised areas. Upon completion of their training, the skilled professionals will be channelled to the consortia to further advance the R&D work.
3. The High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing Consortium comprises 8 companies to develop a software system to better track and manage the production process and maximise resource. This software system is expected to boost manufacturing capacity utilisation by between 10% to 40% and cycle time reduction by between 20% to 80%.This is especially useful to manage the dynamism of customers’ orders in an increasingly complex manufacturing environment. Companies are challenged to keep costs down and meet customers’ production deadlines at the same time. High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing hence provides competitive advantage over low cost manufacturing as it is more agile, able to meet complex and conflicting needs of diverse small-batch manufacturing. The corresponding training programme is the new Graduate Diploma Programme in Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM). (Refer to Annex A for more information on High-Mix Low-Volume Consortium and WSQ Graduate Diploma in MOM)
4. Said Mr Michael Oxborrow, Chief Executive Officer of ACP Metal Finishing Pte Ltd, “Most of the orders we receive from our customers are of high-mix, lowvolume production which is the focus of the High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing consortium. In joining the consortium, the cost to develop the planning and scheduling system is shared among the participants. ACP Metal Finishing will also benefit from the attachment of trainees to help improve its current production planning and scheduling system with the expert guidance and supervision from SIMTech staff through the PE WSQ Graduate Diploma Programme.” 5. “The collaboration with SIMTech is a step forward to upgrade ourselves and keep us on the competitive edge. By tapping into the talents and expertise from outside resources we build a knowledge base from which to grow our foundation of technical know-how and business model. We are excited to see the benefits to our company from various aspects starting from the practical day-today increase in productivity and increased efficiencies in our production flow process”, said Mr Lim Sim Tiong, Director of Riso Seki Singapore
5. The second consortium formed is in the area of Precision Measurements and Characterisation. It pulls together five companies to address the challenges of the PE industry in manufacturing parts with increasing miniaturisation, transparent surfaces, high accuracy, high resolution and high speed manufacturing. Similarly, the professionals in this sector can look to the PE WSQ Graduate Diploma in Precision Measurements and Characterisation (PMC) to acquire the necessary skills sets in the methods and techniques of precision measurements, metrology, measurement instruments operation, measurement result analysis, error transfer and control, and material characterisation. (Refer to Annex B for more details on the Precision Measurements and Characterisation Consortium and PE WSQ Graduate Diploma in PMC.)
6. Said Dr Li Xiaomin, Managing Director of Wintech Nanotechnology Services,” Our company is currently expanding to provide full analysis capability in nano-metric measurement and characterisation for the semiconductor industry and nano-material development. The future R&D development of Wintech Nanotechnology Services is to transform our business from service-based into a product-based manufacturing company. This collaboration will help our company to achieve this and help to broaden our customer base to the world-wide market.
7. “As an expanding company, we need highly-skilled staff with experience in precision dimensional measurements, metrology and precision instruments. The PE WSQ Graduate Diploma Programme provides the opportunities to identify suitable candidates,” commented Dr Zhu Chuanggui, General Manager, Sunny Instruments Singapore.
8. Both training programmes are the first available locally to equip PMEs with relevant skills in these niche areas. SIMTech and WDA have developed the programme based on employers’ feedback there is a demand for professionals with higher focus on knowledge to fill positions such as Industrial Engineers, Production Managers, Operations Managers, Planners, Schedulers, QA and QC Managers. The Programmes will provide opportunities for existing professionals involved in production, inventory and supply chain management, and engineers in automatic inspection systems and machine vision systems to enhance their knowledge for career progression. Professionals from other industries can also undergo the programme as conversion training to embark on careers in these emerging areas.
9. “This is the first time that WDA is offering WSQ Graduate Diploma Programmes for the Manufacturing sector.” Said Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief Executive of WDA: “These WSQ Graduate Diploma Programmes reflect our commitment to build a pool of highly skilled professionals in the Precision Engineering industry and move towards higher value-added skills. I am encouraged by the good response from employers and industry partners who have pledged their support for the Programmes. Over the next 2 years, WDA will invest a total of $6 million to groom and up-skill more than 400 professionals in these niche areas”.
10. Commented Dr Lim Ser Yong, SIMTech Executive Director,” SIMTech research scientists and engineers with vast advanced technical knowledge and industrial experience have regularly conducted specialist upgrading courses to improve technical expertise of industry through hands-on training. The PE technology consortia and PE WSQ Graduate Diploma Programmes are extensions of our engagement with the industry with a unique R&D and on-thejob manpower training component to help the industry develop new technology and at the same time train the professionals with the new skills and knowledge.”
