Singapore, 26 July 2012 - New initiatives are available to boost training opportunities for some 140,000¹ CI professionals in 2012.  This was announced by Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Chief Executive (CE) of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) at the launch of its first online and interactive world, known as the CI Virtual World for creative professionals today.  The CI World is one of the two initiatives unveiled by WDA to strengthen the capabilities of CI professionals in the dynamic and competitive CI environment.

Training outlook for the Creative Industries

Since the introduction of the CI Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Framework in 2007, over 4,000 CI professionals have upgraded their skills via over 100 CI WSQ courses to date. Of this, more than 3,000 CI professionals underwent WSQ training in the past two years. This marks an upward trend in the number of CI professionals who benefited from WSQ training.  

WDA has also rolled out various new CI WSQ programmes such as WSQ Diploma in Creative Entrepreneurship and WSQ Diploma in Arts Management to develop T-shaped and versatile CI professionals and to raise the efficiency and productivity of the workforce. These programmes aim to equip them with a broad set of skills in areas such as project management, finance and marketing, and intellectual property law to complement the respective specialisations.

Training support for the freelancers in the Creative Industries

In addition, WDA has also extended the availability of WSQ training programmes to CI freelancers with the availability of the Creative Industries FReelancers Enhanced Support for WSQ Courses (CI FRESCO). Eligible freelancers will benefit from course fee funding of up to 90 per cent with effect from 1 July 2012.

CI FRESCO, which will benefit about 2,700 freelancers over the next three years, aims to enhance the productivity and quality standards of the pool of freelancers in the Creative Industries. 

Virtual platform offering training and career opportunities

To provide CI professionals with an easy and convenient avenue to seek training and upgrading opportunities within the industry, CI Virtual World, themed 'Explore CI WSQ 2012' will showcase the latest manpower and talent development opportunities in the Creative Industries.

As an online creative exchange hub, it aims to bring about interaction and engagement amongst the online community including CI professionals, new entrants, employers as well as training organisations in the industry.

Besides information on the programmes offered by WDA's Continuing Education and Training (CET) and programme providers, aspiring CI professionals to the virtual world will be able to find out about career opportunities in the creative industries. In addition, the virtual world will feature scheduled webinars, where industry professionals and training partners will share on topics such as career, courses and industry insights. The virtual world can be accessed at www.exploreciwsq.sg. The list of scheduled webinars may be found in the attached factsheet (kindly refer to Annex C).

Mr Wong Hong Kuan, CE, WDA, said: "The nature of the highly dynamic and sophisticated Creative Industries (CI) means that CI professionals need to be constantly on top of their game, to innovate or face obsolescence. Against this backdrop, WDA is pleased to unveil two initiatives to boost the capabilities of our CI professionals, who are then equipped with a myriad of skills and knowledge to produce creative and commercially successful works of value to the industry."

More details on the CI WSQ framework, CI FRESCO and the CI Virtual World may be found in the attached factsheets.

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¹Source: DOS; MICA Website; and Singapore Cultural Statistic 2011

Annex A: Overview of the CI WSQ framework
Annex B: Creative Industries FReelancers Enhanced Support for Courses (CI FRESCO)
Annex C: CI Virtual World