For anyone who wants to take full-time courses Singapore is one of the leading Asian countries providing high quality education. Unfortunately, because it is “high quality”, these courses tend to be costly even with the deductions from government subsidies and the $500 SkillsFuture.
Individuals who have good grades and other winning criteria can apply for an ITE scholarship in Singapore. However, it is a sad fact that many graduates don’t get the scholarship because of a poorly written essay. Here are some tips on writing that great scholarship essay... 1) Know your scholarship provider Get information about the scholarship provider. This will help you to align your essay toward their goals and thus make you look attractive to them. If you can get it, look for the criteria by which the provider judges essays. 2) Identify the keywords in the assigned essay topic and understand what they mean to you. Every scholarship essay has a topic which may seem broad in scope. For example, with the topic “Share with us your career and personal development aspirations”, it is so broad that you may be tempted to ramble past your 50 to 100 word limit. As you read this topic, the keywords here are “career”, “personal development” and “aspirations”. Internalize these words and determine what they mean to you. It may be that you can see an inter-connection between career and personal development goals in order to achieve a better future. If you have a list of your goals, it will be easy for you to write your essay. 3) Use positive words that are directly related to the topic keywords. Identify positive words that are related to the topic keywords and make a list of them for you to use in your essay. Examples of words that you can use in the above topic are “leadership”, “upgrading skills”, “innovation”, and “community service”. 4) Start your essay with a strong opening statement. It is important that you get the scholarship judges’ engagement in your essay with your opening statement. What better way to do this than by starting with a sentence on the course that you want to take and adding a personal touch. For example, if you want to get into aviation maintenance, you can write “While I’ve always dreamed of becoming a pilot, the field of aviation maintenance has captured my interest because of the growing need for flight safety.” Use the statement as your guide for the rest of your essay, emphasising the need for innovations in the field and your planned contributions. 5) Close your essay on your end goal. Finish your essay by stating your desired end goal and what it would mean to the organisation and/or community. In our above example, conclude your essay with “It is my hope that my education in aviation maintenance will preserve the high standards of repair and maintenance in the field and ensure the safety and well being of our frequent flyers.”
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Scholarships are seen by most people as a means by which they can acquire a good education at zero to minimum expense. With the high cost of full-time courses Singapore is offering a number of excellent scholarships that excelling students can apply. A scholarship for ITE graduates – like the Kaplan BrightFuture Scholarship – is among the most sought after by graduates and students alike.
If you are planning to apply for a scholarship, there are a number of important things that you need to prepare prior to submitting your application. 1) Have a copy of the scholarship provider’s profile It is important to know more about the institution or company that will be providing the scholarship. Their vision and mission will give you an idea on their goals, so that you will be able to re-structure your own goals and aspirations to mirror that of the provider’s. This is especially important when you are asked to submit a scholarship essay. Also, from the provider’s beliefs, you can already determine if your goals are aligned. If the provider’s beliefs are strongly contradictory to yours, you can choose not to apply for a scholarship with them. 2) Prepare all personal information You will be required to submit personal information and other relevant documents. These documents may include the following...
3) Prepare your scholarship resume Your full scholarship resume should include the following documents:
4) Prepare supporting documents Some scholarship providers may ask you to submit other supporting documents. These may include character references, testimonials from teachers and co-students, and copy of your NRIC. Don’t forget to submit your scholarship essay. 5) Have a nice studio photo made It is important that you project a good image with your application and part of that image is the photo of yourself that you will attach to the form. Don’t just take a quick selfie and stick it to your application. Instead, wear professional looking clothes, have a neat hairstyle, and/or make up (for the ladies) and have your picture taken at a photo studio. If you are reading this article, you are probably wondering what other part-time diploma courses you can take in the SkillsFuture Course Directory. Perhaps you have grown tired of taking courses related to your career and would like to expand your knowledge to certain subjects that interest you.
You'll be surprised but there are a number of courses in the course directory that will definitely spark your interest. See if you would like to use your SkillsFuture $500 in applying to the unique courses listed below... 1) My Favourite Universe by Neil Degrasse Tyson This online science course from Udemy is actually being conducted by popular American astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson. The course covers a wide range of science topics, including biology, astronomy, and cosmology, all focusing on the origins and evolution of the universe. This 7 hour course costs $180. 2) Analyzing The Universe If you're not into discussing evolution theories and prefer to study hard facts, the Analyzing The Universe course from Coursera is definitely for you. In this 39 hour course, you will be provided with public satellite data from NASA so that you will be able to analyse such celestial bodies as supernovae, quasars and black holes. The 39 hour course costs only $49. 3) Beauty, Form & Function: An Exploration of Symmetry This 52 hour, $29 course from Coursera explores the beauty of all things symmetrical as they occur in nature, art, architecture, technology and in geology, particularly crystals. Take note though that this is not an easy course and would require knowledge in mathematics. 4) Sculpture 2 - Sculpting The Human Head Whether you are artistically inclined or you see yourself becoming a forensic investigator dealing with dead bodies, Sculpture 2 – Sculpting The Human Head from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts may be of interest to you. What makes this course interesting on a forensic standpoint is that enables students to understand and appreciate the human skull. You will be able to sculpt and reconstruct human heads based upon the skull’s planes and proportions. The 30 hour course costs $540. 5) 1 Day Basic Hydroponics Course If you are into all things organic, you might want to look into the 1 Day Basic Hydroponics Course from Tertiary Infotech. This course teaches how you can grow organic crops on soil-less culture. Aside from teaching you the basic techniques, you will even be given a Beginner’s Kit which you can take home and practice with. The course costs $198. 6) Animal Behaviour and Welfare Do you picture yourself becoming the next Cesar Millan or Jackson Galaxy? If so, the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Course from Coursera is definitely for you. The course not only teaches the various aspects of animal behaviour and emotion, you will also learn about the scientific, legal and ethical aspects of animal welfare. This 32 1/2 hour course costs only $49. For individuals who are looking for part time diploma courses in Singapore, going through over the list of 10,000 courses in the SkillsFuture Course Directory can be tedious, mind-numbing task. With so many courses to choose from, how would you know which one will give you a potentially lucrative career in the future?
Prior to the launch of the SkillsFuture Programme, the Singapore Workforce Development Authority (WDA) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have identified the professions/courses that show a promising outlook starting from 2015 to the year 2020. If you want to apply for SkillsFuture approved courses, make sure that they are in the following fields... 1) Digital Media Without a doubt, digital media continues to be at the forefront of prospective fields, largely because of the numerous technologies that are being developed, introduced and upgraded on a nearly daily basis. In fact, Singapore is considered to be the “most network-ready country in Asia”, compared to its closest neighbours. To enrol in digital media courses means that you have a strong chance of getting hired in leading Internet and broadcasting companies, including Channel News Asia, CNBC, BBC World, the Disney Company and Lucas Films, which have already set up shop in the country. Check out the digital media courses being offered by Nanyang Polytechnic. 2) Offshore and Marine Engineering There is an ongoing search for energy sources outside of the Middle East. Despite the drops in oil prices, Singapore continues to be a major regional player in offshore oil and gas drilling. In addition, the country has been working on finding alternative and sustainable energy sources. Since people in these fields are in high demand, you might want to consider taking courses on offshore and marine engineering at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 3) Biomedical Sciences Without a doubt, Singapore has established itself at the frontlines of biomedical research in Asia. Through partnerships with public and private medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies, they have developed innovative medical and surgical techniques and new drugs that particularly target diseases among Asians. The biomedical sciences will remain a very strong field as the search for cures, treatments and good health continues. Republic Polytechnic offers the courses in this field. 4) Food Technology Singapore has not only emerged as a market for food and beverages, it has also become a leader in high tech food manufacturing and packaging. Having a multiracial population enables researchers to develop foods and nutritional plans among various races. If you are interested in food technology, you can apply for courses at the Food Innovation and Resource Centre. 5) Aerospace Engineering Singapore continues to be a dominant player in the aerospace market. In Asia alone, the country provides an output of over 25 percent in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). The fleet expansion of Asia Pacific, Singapore Airlines and other airline companies means an increase in job opportunities. Temasek Polytechnic is offering aerospace engineering courses for those who want to get into the field. When it comes to part-time courses, Singapore has numerous offerings via the SkillsFuture Course Directory. However, before you can even use the directory, you first need to have a clear idea of the path you want your career to take.
The Steps to Planning Your Career Path The first step in planning your career path is by KNOWING YOURSELF. Take into account where you are in your career at present. Have you just started in your job and found that you are lacking in some skills? Or have you worked in the company for years and yet that promotion continues to be elusive? Once you have figured out the “now” in your career, visualise what you want to be in the future. It could be something as simple as a promotion. If you have grander ambitions, you may want to envision yourself climbing up the company hierarchy – from a lowly manager to a department head to company executive (perhaps even chairman). Determine your strengths and the skills you have at present. Make a list of them. Alongside of these strengths/skills, indicate as your learning goals the ones you want to develop further or to upgrade. Although it may be unpleasant, think about your weaknesses as well and list them down. If you personally cannot see your weak points, consult with your colleagues, supervisors and/your Human Resources Department that monitor your performance on the job. Next, DEVELOP A LEARNING PLAN. Whether solo or with the help of a company supervisor, come up with a definite learning plan. Taking your lists of strengths, skills and weaknesses into consideration, look for courses that will address your learning goals. Let’s say that you work in a bank, but while you possess the basic knowledge of finance and other pertinent skills, you need to learn more about devising financial strategies and analysis. Through your supervisor’s recommendation, you check out what is available in the SkillsFuture courses list and you discover the part time course entitled “Advanced Diploma in Finance” being offered by BrightFuture.sg which is the best match for your needs. The third step is that you must not be content with courses that address your immediate learning needs. You must also include courses that ENABLE SKILLS UPGRADES. For example, after having completed your Advanced Diploma in Finance, you might want to consider taking the course, “Global Diploma – Diploma in Commerce (Finance & Banking).” Of course, the FINAL STEP is to apply for the courses you want to take by taking advantage of the SkillsFuture Credit. Always prioritise those courses that will improve your strengths and counteract your weaknesses. Take note that since there will be periodic top ups of your credit, schedule upgrade courses once or twice a years to keep your skills in the loop of the latest employment and technological advancements. Singapore has recently launched its SkillsFuture programme and it's making waves in the field of lifetime learning. The programme will allow Singaporeans to tap into their hidden potentials and learn brand new skills - both related and unrelated to their professional field.
This means Singaporeans aged 25 and above will also receive S$500 SkillsFuture credit in order to spend in these courses. Yes, the government will actually pay! Singaporeans will now be able to enjoy once more the joy of studying and learning regardless of their age and qualifications. But already knowing how busy work life could get, others would opt for part-time diploma courses. Question is, is Singapore the best place for them? Short answer, yes it is! Singapore is already emerging as a popular destination for international and foreign students. Nowadays, knowledge is not pursued alone but with others. Singapore is advancing as a global community of experts in various fields, and can provide very competitive educational opportunities for everyone. Its schools are also already known for their ideas on innovation, and Singaporeans know the value of good education. The strength of Singapore's educational system lies in its bilingual policy, where the curriculum is based on the idea that students can also learn English, as well as Malay, Mandarin or Tamil. Students are also give opportunity to innovate and become entrepreneurs in their own field. Students will surely get the opportunity to survive in the competitive market, and to be equipped for a brighter tomorrow. For more specific reasons: • Hub for Educational Excellence: Singapore has become one of the best in providing British-based educational systems to its students. This means courses in Singapore earn just as much distinction in the United Kingdom. • Economic Stability: Singapore persists to be one of the best global economies worldwide. It ranks third of 145 countries in the World Bank's 2005 report, and it continues to do so today. It is one of the most competitive countries worldwide. • Multi-Cultural: Singapore is home to a lot of Asian heritages, including Chinese, Indians, Malays and Eurasians. • Accessibility: Singapore is connected to a lot of media, such as sea, air and telecommunications. This makes the country one of the easiest to access areas worldwide. Its internet penetration rate of 42-percent provides almost instantaneous connection with others. These all fit the various needs of Singaporeans when it comes to lifelong learning. Singapore's history as a hub of cultural uniqueness, innovation and excellence makes the SkillsFuture programme an apt fit for Singapore's next step to greatness. SkillsFuture is doing a lot of good work for Singapore right now. This is especially since the recently-launched programme has just allowed two million Singaporeans aged 25 and above to gain access to a myriad of courses that will help them expand their skill sets and even introduce them to new fields.
They can use an initial top up of S$500 in order to gain access to more than 10,000 courses in a lot of universities, institutions and schools that can help them expand their fields. A lot of Singaporeans have now considered taking up part time diploma courses in order to increase their value in the job market. And studying part time sure has a lot of perks! Surely, returning to the field of part-time studying may be nerve-wracking considering the age and the time needed to manage your work and priorities. You may have to consider that meeting new friends is fun. There are opportunities for coffee, exchanging notes and just chatting with everyone. The diversity in Singapore's schools and environment will allow a lot of interaction and learning. If you are lucky enough to be working, you can even be better at the job you have. If your course is related to your current work, you can apply your new knowledge and improve your performance. This can increase your skills and help you learn on the job. Your being capable of studying, committing to your family and an improved social life is challenging but it is also stimulating. Just think of the challenges you're slowly conquering, and how this can increase your self work. You will be better at researching, presenting and writing reports - you will win in life in general! There will also be financial benefits along the way. Of course, post-graduate study is expensive as there are a lot of requirements. However, tackling this the part-time way means you can control just how much time and money you are willing to dedicate for your studies. This can spread the costs and help you mitigate the risks. You still get student perks as well! Lastly, you will expand your mind and soul in the process. Never forget that studying will open you to new prospects and grow your perspective on a lot of things. This will not only be applicable to work, but to life as well. SkillsFuture is surely doing a lot to benefit Singapore's workforce. Singapore is definitely back in track to become a powerhouse in experts in various fields. Singapore is known as a hub for a lot of foreign universities, schools in businesses, and specialised institutions. This is primarily because Singapore is the home to a lot of businesses, and is the central hub for the global market. Given it is also one of the safest cities in the world, it is obvious why students go to Singapore to study and work.
However, the launching of SkillsFuture changed the landscape of the learning field. Students and professionals alike are now reevaluating their options and career paths. This is a new initiative that centralises on the concept of lifelong learning. Anyone aged 25 up can receive S$500 SkillsFuture credit they can spend in courses they want to learn and master. This doesn't even have to have anything to do with their field! This can completely change the life of anyone with a hidden dream or talent. But of course, nowadays, a career shift is a huge risk. And a lot of times it has to be practical. A bachelor's degree from accredited universities are surely important to make sure people start their careers right. A bachelor's degree is one of the most popular undergraduate programs, as this is pursued by students who want to gain knowledge in a lot of areas of studies. Sadly, not all students have to time to pursue degrees in their areas of choosing. Money and time constraints can limit their opportunities to study. Luckily, Singapore is also home to a lot of universities offering part-time courses. This allows them to take their time to study and take breaks for more important matters. With SkillsFuture, Singaporeans how have access to a plethora of courses at their disposal. But this is the time to think smart. Luckily, these are the 20 most-needed and most-anticipated part-time courses in Singapore. • Bachelor of Aviation Management SINGAPORE AVIATION ACADEMY • Bachelor of Business (Accounting) JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (Awarded by Northumbria University, UK) MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE (MDIS) • Bachelor in Software Engineering (Hons) FTMS GLOBAL ACADEMY • Bachelor in Business Information Systems (Hons) FTMS GLOBAL ACADEMY • Bachelor in Accounting and Finance (Hons) FTMS GLOBAL ACADEMY • Bachelor of Psychological Science JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE • Bachelor of Computer Science in Digital Systems Security SIM GLOBAL EDUCATION • Bachelor of Business in Marketing SIM GLOBAL EDUCATION • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE • Bachelor of Business in Logistics and Supply Chain Management SIM GLOBAL EDUCATION • Bachelor of Theology TCA COLLEGE • Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Awarded by Northumbria University, UK) MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE (MDIS) • Bachelor in Business Management (Hons) FTMS GLOBAL ACADEMY • Bachelor of Business in Management SIM GLOBAL EDUCATION • Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE • Bachelor of Business (Marketing) JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Mechanical Design Engineering (Top-up) (Awarded by Northumbria University, UK) MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE (MDIS) • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electronic Design Engineering (Top-up) (Awarded by Northumbria University, UK) MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE (MDIS) • Bachelor of Communication in Professional Communication SIM GLOBAL EDUCATION Much of these degrees are a lot like some of the degrees we encounter from day-to-day schools. But the mere fact that they are available for part-time takers mean a lot of Singaporeans will still have the chance to excel in their own pace in their own time. SkillsFuture will be able to equip Singaporeans with the skills needed to tackle the growing landscape of modern-day markets and the fast-changing arena of businesses. Here are 5 Things You Should CheckStudying is a commitment, and anyone who has been (and is) in a relationship knows it is hard to promise something. But now that Singapore is at the forefront of lifelong learning, it seems education is now highly encouraged for everyone.
SklllsFuture credit allows students, newcomers to the job market, and even professionals and retirees to take up part-time studies in Singapore to boost their talents - and the government encourages it! More than 2.5 million Singaporeans have been given S$500 in credit to spend on courses to expand their skills. But why should you take a part time course? Discover if part-time course is for you. (1) Responsibilities We cannot avoid being obliged to prioritize other things, as much as we want to continue our education. This is the number one predicament of part-time students as well - maybe they don't have the free time to get to class, or complete homeworks of a full-time program. They need a lighter school work load because they need to spend time with their families, or to work to pay the bills. Students who have a lot of responsibilities can opt for a part-time program and work their way - no matter how slow - towards completing their terms. (2) Pressure Pressure is a very unhealthy opponent, especially for students who want to aim high. Stress is a lot especially in full-time courses. There are just so many classes to juggle at any one time, and the number of homeworks and papers to be made can be ridiculously too much to bear. Studies show that pressure can lead to heart and mental complications, and it is not healthy for the emotions as well. If you can't handle pressure very well, you can use a part-time course to help you manage stress better. (3) Program Choices Maybe the programs you like are really offered as part-time courses. This is not new for some fields that are really specialized to some degree. Some of the best programs in Singapore offer part-time versions of their best full-time programs. This is largely for students who need part-time hours to return to school. You may also think that choosing a part-time program is the best for your schedule so far because of other commitments. (4) Schedule A lot of schoolwork and classes take place during mornings and afternoons. This is the normal trend for a lot of schools worldwide. But you may not have the time and the schedule to study on mornings, and fill eight-hour classes. For example, working students or perky students may take advantage of courses that take place in the evening. This can be due to sleeping schedule, or maybe they are simply more energized to study at night. (5) Getting More You may just want to make the most out of your subjects. This means taking more part-time courses and taking the slow route to complete your desired degree, but this also means having more time to spend on certain specializations and will give you an edge against other competitors. Before you choose a part-time course under the SkillsFuture credit program, be sure to check whether its schedule and scope fits your desired outcome. It's still your opinion on the matter that counts, but it sure is a lot better to know that the government is supporting us in our desire to learn! Today is an exciting time to be a student - again!
Learning for about a quarter of our lives is a sign that education is indeed an investment we should all be concentrating on. But having a job and earning income makes the notion of taking part-time diploma courses in Singapore a bit... overwhelming. However, with the government providing credit to take new courses--it may invigorate new desires to learn new skills! This is especially if your companies do not offer training in fields of interest. Singapore's recently-launched SkillsFuture campaign provides Singaporeans aged 25 and above with S$500 in credit to spend learning on courses - be it on their hobbies or their careers. Although it seems now is also a great time to expand our knowledge on financial literacy. This can help investors (or even hopeful investors) equip themselves with industry-grade knowledge on the basics and flow of money in various markets. You can see a list of part-time diploma courses in BrightFuture SG website. To answer the question in the title, here are a few considerations before taking up a course on finance and investing: Check the requirements first Double-check the list of courses on finance and investing (you can check them here, and here) with the course you want to take in a certain academy, university or institution. Make sure you understand the requirements and the price for each course. Not all courses fit the S$500 subsidy and may require you to spend a little more - but this is worth it considering the amount of investment that returns to you when you use this knowledge in the future. Make sure to supplement your knowledge These courses are not instant knowledge courses. These are only basic courses to give you a basic look on how finances and investments work in the modern marketing field. This means it is also up to you to take supplementary courses and update yourself on the trends that are happening in the market. Apply these skills on your personal life The best way to check if you have truly learned from your experience is to apply your knowledge in your daily life. You can invest on something, or even start a new business. Check the results for yourself before applying this knowledge to your company or teaching this to friends. It is much fun to see your own work flourish with your hardwork and perseverance. This is not meant to be used alone These courses are not stand-alone either. These investing and finance courses only work for the most fundamental of aspects, and are only introductory courses at best. It is always good to match certain concepts you learned through these courses with your chosen fields of interest - this gives you an idea what kind of market to assess and the kind of information you have to obtain to get your investments right. |
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