A Breakthrough in Vocational and Technical Education

The Singapore Story

There has been much international effort to improve or transform Vocational and Technical Education (VTE). However, the outcomes often remain elusive. VTE continues to be largely shunned by society as a sector of education for low-achievers and academic failures.

A Breakthrough in VTE: The Singapore Story shares the Singapore experience that was made possible through strategic planning, organisational excellence, innovation and ingenuity. It is a compelling story of how the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) began to transform lives and change its image over a period of fifteen years (1992–2007). This book, based on a first-hand CEO account, vividly captures the sort of leadership, policy choices, fundamental principles and capabilities in the journey of transformation. The details of the "what, when, how and why" are a valuable guide for leaders and practitioners in building quality and sustainable VTE systems which are responsive to social and economic needs.

Contents:

• The Early Beginnings:

  • Historical Perspectives
  • Dynamics and Challenges
  • Aligning Education with Economic Development
  • Vocational Training under the former VITB

• Journey of Transformation:

  • Move Towards Organisational Excellence
  • The Three Waves of Transformation
  • Strategic Planning Makes a Difference
  • Changing the Image
  • ITE: A World-Class Educational Institution

• Implications for Developing Countries:

  • Some Lessons on Building Quality and Sustainability
  • Concluding Reflections

Readership: Leaders in governments, Ministries and related agencies overseeing vocational and technical education and training, skills development and manpower training; Professors, teaching staff and students in teacher education and training universities and colleges; Principals, heads of departments and senior staff in Vocational and Technical Education institutions and schools; General readers who have an interest in the transformation of organisations, including leadership, strategic planning, and organisational excellence.
Key Features:

• A compelling story based on a first-hand CEO account on how an educational institution was transformed into a global leader in vocational and technical education
• An acute analysis with an international perspective in understanding the dynamics and challenges in vocational and technical education
• A valuable source of fundamental principles, lessons and success factors underlying the "what, when, how and why" of transformation
• A useful guide towards building quality and sustainable vocational and technical education systems with implications for developing countries