From the beginning of June this year, more than 700 traineeship positions will be set up for the next generation of research talent under the SGUnited Traineeships Programme.
These traineeships will give fresh graduates from universities and polytechnics an introduction to the Research & Development sector in Singapore through placements in universities, A*STAR research institutes, AI Singapore, and local deep-tech startups through SGInnovate.
Preparing Graduates for R&D careers post COVID-19
This initiative is supported by both the National Research Foundation and Workforce Singapore, and is very timely as it comes as Singapore prepares to enter a post-COVID19 world.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of investing in R&D to address existential challenges, such as managing pandemics, ensuring food security, and tackling climate change. It has also stressed the necessity of nurturing the next generation of R&D talent to cope with such challenges in the future.
“The new R&D traineeship positions in our universities, research institutes and companies will provide graduates with the opportunity to apply their technical knowledge to acquire industry-relevant research skills, and also develop soft skills and an entrepreneurial spirit, which better prepares them for high-technology roles when the economy recovers.”
“This is part of our effort to maintain our long-term competitiveness as a science and technology hub – by investing in our young and maintaining a strong core of talent ready to leverage opportunities in the technology and innovation sector.” said Professor Low Teck Seng, CEO of the National Research Foundation
Apprentices have opportunity to work on cutting edge Tech Projects
The apprentice positions in the R&D sector will last up to 12 months, and includes more than 500 Research Assistant and Research Fellow positions in universities and research institutes in the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), to provide graduates with training and exposure to research work, especially in projects with industry partners.
AI Singapore will also expand its AI Apprenticeship Programme and introduce a new AI Data Apprenticeship Programme. Collectively, both programmes will provide an additional 175 fresh graduates with industry training in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data engineering.
Graduates will also benefit from working in tech companies and startups in Singapore. For instance, 30 fresh graduates will be able to find placements in local deep-tech startups through SGInnovate’s expanded Summation programme, which provides apprentices with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge tech projects, and be mentored in business- and innovation-related skillsets.