Republic Poly's talent scheme with biopharma firms better prepares students for jobs

From April, nearly 360 Republic Polytechnic (RP) students will get an early edge for jobs in the biopharmaceutical sector through a new talent programme.

- Tay Hong Yi

The Talent Advancement Programme, which is headlined by a 36-week in-depth internship, was unveiled on Jan 9 as a joint effort between RP and 16 out of 18 companies in the Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer's Advisory Council, with the support of the Economic Development Board.

Industry giants Pfizer, GSK, Novartis and equipment manufacturer Thermo Fisher Scientific are among the participating members of the council, which is an industry body that aims to drive home Singapore's advantage in biopharma manufacturing.

The programme comes off the back of numerous investments into new and expanded plants in recent years by major pharma players, including Pfizer and Novartis, which have staked their chips on Singapore as an advanced manufacturing and research hub, creating skilled jobs to fill.

Under the programme, first-year students will get to take part in site visits and career talks, while second-year students can attempt job shadowing and short-term attachments before deciding if they wish to apply for the extended internship in their final year.

The scheme was launched at the RP campus in Woodlands at an event during the poly's open house, which runs from Jan 9 to 11.