Question
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the
Minister for Trade and Industry what has been the progress on the precision
engineering industry transformation map and the electronics industry
transformation map since their launch in 2017.
Oral Answer (to be attributed
to Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr Chee Hong Tat)
- The Precision Engineering Industry Transformation Map
(ITM) and the Electronics ITM were launched in October 2016 and September 2017
respectively. Both ITMs were developed and are being implemented in close
collaboration with industry, unions, institutes of higher learning (IHLs), and
trade associations and chambers, such as the Singapore Precision Engineering
& Technology Association (SPETA) and the Singapore Semiconductor Industry
Association (SSIA). The Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead government
agency coordinating both ITMs. Both ITMs aim to transform their industries by
strengthening existing growth sub-sectors, diversifying into new growth
opportunities, and deepening the capabilities of our Precision Engineering and
Electronics companies.
- The Precision Engineering industry is characterised by a
large number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). To help these SMEs grow,
we will need to lower their barriers to innovation and technology adoption. One
specific initiative aimed at doing so is the development of model factories,
which allow SMEs to experience and experiment with advanced manufacturing
technologies in a real-life production environment, before deciding whether to
implement them in their own premises. As part of the Precision Engineering ITM,
the Model Factory @ SIMTech was launched in October 2017. Another Model Factory
will be launched by the end of this year.
- For the Electronics ITM, one area of focus is
strengthening our innovation eco-system to enable our companies to harness new
growth opportunities. The ITM has outlined a few strategies that are being
implemented, such as fostering “one-to-one” collaborations between
multi-national companies (MNCs) and SMEs, and building up structures to groom
Electronics SMEs and startups. Since the launch of the ITM, EDB has worked with
Enterprise Singapore (ESG) to support and grow more than fifteen Electronics
startups through accelerators and incubators. ESG
also supported seven startups in featuring their solutions at the Consumer Electronics
Show (CES) 2018 in Las Vegas.
- As we shift the Precision Engineering and Electronics
industries towards higher value-added and innovation-intensive activities, both
industries will also see the creation of jobs that require greater depth of
knowledge. EDB has worked with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), unions and
industry stakeholders to roll out Skills Frameworks to help our people identify
the key skills, competencies and training programmes that they will need to
capitalise on new job opportunities and advance in their careers. We have also
put in place programmes to attract young talent, and support the leadership
development of our people. For example, with the support of EDB, the SSIA
launched the Semiconductor Leadership Accelerator in October 2017 and has since
trained about 40 Singaporean professionals over the course of two runs.
- In addition to the ITM initiatives, EDB has worked with
TÜV SÜD to develop the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness
Index, a comprehensive tool to help companies identify challenges in adopting
Industry 4.0 technology. EDB, in partnership with six trade associations and
ESG, has targeted 300 funded assessments of the Index. To date, more than 170
funded assessments have been awarded, and of which 40% were to SMEs. More than
a third of the assessments were awarded to Precision Engineering and
Electronics companies. Industry feedback has been positive, with several
companies sharing their experience at industry seminars.
- Thus far, the Precision Engineering and Electronics
ITMs, as ‘live’ roadmaps of transformation, are supporting our companies in
harnessing advanced manufacturing technologies, and our people through skills
deepening and upgrading efforts. The ITMs will be reviewed continually to take
into account industry feedback and prevailing economic conditions. We will
continue to work with our tripartite partners in this joint transformation
journey.