Recognition & Articulation

Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) Credentialing

More than 3,800 employers and training institutions in the tourism, F&B, retail, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and security sectors recognise the Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) credentials.

This is testimony to the success of the WPLN credentialing project, which is aimed at encouraging companies and training institutions to recognise WPLN credentials as alternative qualifications to GCE 'N' and 'O' levels for recruitment and admission purposes.

View a list of employers and training institutions who recognize WPLN.

How does the WPLN compare with the GCE 'N' and 'O' level, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and BULATS?

In 2007, WDA commissioned UK NARIC, an international agency responsible for providing advice and expert opinion on vocational, academic and professional skills and qualifications worldwide, to benchmark WPLN credentials against national and international standards.

View a summary of the NARIC report or view the full report.

More Information for Employers and Training Institutions

Employers and training institutions can contact WDA at 6883 5885, or email wda_es_enquiry@wda.gov.sg, or contact any of the ES Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres for enquiries.

View list of CET centres.

View the Employer Advisory Kit for WPLN Credentialing, designed to help employers work out credentials.

Mutual Recognition Arrangement between Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and WSQ Certification Systems

WDA and ITE have built a mutual recognition arrangement to accept and recognise both ITE and WSQ credentialing systems. This enhances the accessibility of continuing education and training for the workforce.

Through the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, individuals with ITE and/or WSQ qualifications would be able to access and pursue skills upgrading under either system with credit exemption.

The ITE-WSQ mutual recognition arrangement also means that employers and trainees have more options to select the training modules from either WSQ or ITE systems.

The competencies and certifications acquired through either system are both relevant and have strong industry endorsement.

WDA and ITE are also exploring greater collaboration in competency standards and training assessment development for the industry.

For more information on ITE-WSQ mutual recognition arrangement and the courses that are recognised by ITE and WDA, please email wda_enquiry@wda.gov.sg

Articulation Arrangement for WSQ Certifications to Higher Learning Systems

WDA has established articulation arrangements with Institutes of Higher Learning such as University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), SIM University, Kingston University (London) and other universities.

Individuals with the relevant WSQ certifications and qualifications will be considered for entry into these institutes for higher learning. Individuals who are successfully admitted into these institutes can also receive credit/module exemptions so as not to re-learn what was already acquired under WSQ.

For more information on WSQ articulation arrangements, please email wda_enquiry@wda.gov.sg