Energy management sector gets scheme to re-skill mid-career PMETs

A NEW programme to help mid-career professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) with career switches has been extended to Singapore's energy management sector.

The three-month Professional Conversion Programme (PCP), part of the Adapt and Grow initiative by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), will re-skill mid-career professionals with the necessary competencies to take on new jobs in the fast-growing sector.

To be administered by the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS), the programme comprises classroom training and a project, and will lead to two Statements of Attainment under the Workforce Skills Qualifications system issued by WDA.

It will run from Aug 1, 2016, to May 31, 2018, and is expected to benefit 40 applicants over this period, said Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources & Health Amy Khor on Thursday.

Five companies have committed to recruiting mid-career PMETs under the programme. They are: Energetix Pte Ltd, REC Solar Pte Ltd, Saferay Pte Ltd, SinEnergy Pte Ltd and Sunseap Group.

WDA chief executive Ng Cher Pong said there is a need to build up the talent pool of Singaporeans with skills to design sustainable solutions as the focus on smart and sustainable urban practices around the world grows.

"With the support provided by WDA and SEAS through the PCP, participating companies will be able to recruit and develop a pipeline of local project managers who are able to design, install and manage the solar system to support the increased adoption of solar energy use," he said.