Built Environment SkillsFuture Tripartite (BEST) Taskforce Recommendations for Building Key Competencies

Pre-employment training (PET)

Enhanced curricula with transformation areas

• Curriculum of BE-related courses to incorporate the new industry transformation areas. 
• 3 recommended approaches: (1) weaving in updates to existing core modules (2) developing new electives modules, and (3) incorporate supplementary curricula, e.g. learning journeys, project site visits or industry sharing sessions.
• Trade associations, industry firms and iBuildSG can provide training resources to make the curriculum more relevant to the industry’s needs. 
• Long term collaboration between trade associations and schools in curriculum development can be facilitated through trade association representation in the schools’ Academic Advisory Panels. 

Develop BE specialisations for Mechanical and Electrical engineering courses

• To encourage students in broad-based courses such as Mechanical & Electrical Engineering to take up BE electives, the Taskforce has recommended developing BE specialisations.
• Some schools are broadening the scope of their current specialisation to include BE transformation areas. The iBuildSG TC will partner schools to pilot more BE specialisations.

Inter-Disciplinary Training

• Exposure to multiple disciplines better prepares graduates for real work conditions.
• This can be done by incorporating inter-disciplinary problem definitions and team requirements in design projects and project competitions.
• IHLs without the full suite of disciplines can start by partnering other IHLs for project competitions.
• The iBuildSG TC will facilitate partnerships between schools, and BCA Academy can provide support in conducting inter-disciplinary projects.

Internships

Structured internships

• Based on industry feedback, a duration of at least 6 months is recommended for a meaningful internship.
• Internships should have pre-defined learning outcomes and effective industry mentorship. A set of desired learning outcomes and internship guidelines have been developed to help firms and students achieve a more enriching internship experience.

BE Formation programme

• A 4-day BE Formation programme helps to prepare students for internship.
• The programme helps students understand the industry and ITM transformation areas via training workshops, industry sharings and site visits.

Continuing education and training (CET)

Encouraging continuing education

• BE personnel should continually upskill themselves to stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments.
• For iBuildSG scholarship and sponsorship recipients, sponsoring firms should provide continuing education and on-the-job training during the bond period for the scholarship and sponsorship recipients.
• The Taskforce has partnered with professional boards to encourage BE personnel to upskill themselves through CET by including BE transformation areas in the registration framework for Professional Engineers and Architects.