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Specialist Diploma: A Strategy for Life-Long-Learners (L3) Segment of

Singapore

By

Dr. Sein Min Thames Business School

Singapore

Working Paper*

March 2007

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*This is unpublished working paper. All rights are reserved. For the permission, please

contact drseinmin@hotmail.com.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 5

What is specialist diploma? ......................................................................................................... 6

Essential Features of Specialist Diplomas .............................................................................. 10

Aims ...................................................................................................................... 10 Modules ................................................................................................................. 11 Assessment ........................................................................................................... 11 Pre-requisites ........................................................................................................ 12 Course Fees .......................................................................................................... 12 Collaboration and Alliance ..................................................................................... 12

Design and Development of New Specialist Diplomas ................................................................. 13

Exploring the markets for specialist diplomas ............................................................................... 14

Demand for Specialist Diplomas in Singapore Market ........................................... 15 Potential areas of skills development and specialization for existing diploma students ................................................................................................................. 16

Internal Factors .............................................................................................................................. 18

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix 1. List of Specialist Diplomas offered by Polytechnics in Singapore ............................. 20

Appendix 2: Employment in Singapore ......................................................................................... 21

Appendix 3: The change of employment by sectors ..................................................................... 22

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Executive Summary

The changing landscape of education market is observed by analysing the specialist diplomas offered by the education institutions. It was found that polytechnics of Singapore have developed specialist diplomas in the selected areas and are offering these courses to the students, especially part-time, life-long learners. The analysis was made upon the existing specialist diplomas in Singapore and it was found that the designs and features vary among them. The pathways to a specialist diploma can be distinguished into five types: supplementary, complementary, ancillary, post-graduate and extraordinary. Mostly, courses are offered in five modules plus final project, and total study hours amount mostly to 300 hours and the study period is one year in average.

The paper has noted the need of skill development center and its roles in designing, development and operation of the courses. It was found that most polytechnics have affiliation and collaboration with government agencies or industrial association to run a particular specialist diploma.

The paper has reviewed and anlaysed the manpower development and changes, so as to identify the potential areas and type of skills development for employees. Based on the market trend, the skills development in some service segments is thinkable. The major areas called for the attention are personal services, retailing, hospitality, and administration and support services.

The development of the new programmes is also necessary to base on own strength and capability. The paper suggested capitalizing the positioning of “IT-plus” and hence to offer the specialist diploma built around IT and business.

The paper has also suggested considering some specialist programmes for existing full-time students. Two programmes are proposed: Specialist Diploma in Global Business Environment and Specialist Diploma in Application of ICT (Information and Communication Technology).

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Introduction

The changing landscape of education market calls for all educational organizations to

adapt constantly their programmes to the market needs. The increased competition both

by the state and private education providers pushes the educational market to the higher

level and the higher expectations. This development can be seen more clearly in these

days, as Singapore has chosen the education sector as one of key strategic areas of the

national economy. For instance, currently 80,000 foreign students are studying in

Singapore and it is expected to increase to 150,000 in 2015 (The Straits Times,

24/3/07).

Among the changes and strategic moves in the higher education sector, the

development and offer of the specialist diploma is one of ten. Many diplomas are being

offered in Singapore and among them the (undergraduate) diploma overwhelms, as the

polytechnics play major role in the tertiary education. The original type of these diplomas

is general diploma; that means they are not in the category of professional or specialist

diploma. For examples, the Diploma in Business Administration and the Diploma in

Computing offer basic and general knowledge and skills to the students in respective

subject areas. The general category of diploma is undoubtedly useful and suitable to

students to enter the job market and begin their careers. Nevertheless, the increased

competition among the new job seekers as well as overall intense competition among

the business organizations has emerged the demand for the specific skill in a

specialized area. In other words, the specialists are being demanded in the market.

Since then, the educational institutions introduced new specialist-type courses in

addition to the offer of general diplomas. We can find that the polytechnics in Singapore

are actively designing and offering specialist diplomas.

Informatics, a private education organization, needs to look at the market development

and trends, particularly the new curriculum designs, including the specialist diplomas.

This will help Informatics to develop new courses and to realign its courses with the

market needs and expectations.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of the specialist diploma in the

market and to determine the necessary features of a proper specialist diploma, which

will be required in developing new specialist programmes.

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What is specialist diploma?

The term, specialist diploma, is not widely used in other parts of the world, except

Singapore. But, all polytechnics (except Republic Polytechnics) have developed and

offered their own specialist diplomas. The term, specialist diploma, can be generally

understood as the diploma, which has the special emphasis on a particular area within

an established subject or field. For instance, the specialist diploma, Retail Management,

is a specific and specialized area of a broader and general area of study, business

administration. Similarly, the specialist diploma, Digital Media and Film Production, is a

specialized study of mass communication.

The following table shows the umber and areas of specialist diplomas being offered by

the polytechnics in Singapore. (The list of specialist diplomas offered by polytechnics in

Singapore can be seen in the Appendix 1.)

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Fig. 1: Number of Specialist Diplomas offered by Polytechnics in Singapore

Business Administration

Mass Communication

IT/Computer Science

Others

Ngee Ann 4

(Organizational Excellence, Franchise Management, Facility Management, and International Business)

Nil 3

( 3D Animation and VFX, Data Communications & Networking, and Web Technology)

2

(Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biotechnology)

Singapore 1

(Applied Business Psychology)

1

(Digital Film and TV)

Nil 5

(Statistics and Data Mining, e-Learning Design and Development, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture, CNC Application, and Ship Operation and Management)

Nanyang 2

(Strategic Brand Management, and Supply Chain Management)

Nil 1

( IT Security)

Nil

Temasek 2

(Accounting and Finance, and Sales and Marketing)

Nil 3

(Publishing, Infocomm Security, and Enterprise Networking)

2

(Semiconductor Technology, Arts and Events Management).

Source: Observation of websites of polytechnics

The study on the brochure of the above listed courses offered by the polytechnics has

found that the specialist diploma is mostly an extended programme after obtaining a

diploma from polytechnics. The extension can be found in the form of post-diploma study

or in parallel with existing study programme, i.e. diploma and the latter is also described

as “Diploma Plus”. The specialist diploma has the aim to build knowledge and skills in

one specialized area after the foundation work (i.e. first diploma or degree). After

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reviewing the pathways of specialist diplomas, it was found that there are multiple

pathways to specialist diplomas as depicted in the following diagram.

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Fig. 2 Model of Pathways to Specialist Diploma

Source: Developed by the author

In the diagram, five pathways to the specialist diploma can be seen. They are (a)

supplementary pathway, (b) complementary pathway, (c) the postgraduate pathway, (d)

the ancillary pathway and (e) extraordinary pathway. (The alphabets are used to indicate

respective pathway in the diagram.)

(a) Supplementary Pathway – This pathway allows a student to extend the

knowledge of the subject which has been studied before at the diploma level. An

example is that a student takes the specialist diploma in digital film and TV after

attaining the diploma in mass communication.

(b) Complementary Pathway – This pathway allows a student who has completed

a diploma in different area, to take the specialist diploma in a new field which will

strengthen the candidate‟s position by acquiring related knowledge essential to

his or her career. For example, a student with diploma in engineering will study

the specialist diploma in sales and marketing.

Second Year

(Field A)

Second Year

(Field B)

Diploma (Field A)

Diploma (Field B)

Degree (Field B)

Specialist Diploma (Field A)

Degree (Field A)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(c)

(d)

(d)

Experience

(e)

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(c) Postgraduate pathway – This pathway allows graduates to pursue a diploma in

a specialized area. The specialist diploma is however not to be considered as

„postgraduate diploma‟, as the course is also targeted to the post-diploma

students as seen in two previous pathways. An example is that a graduate in IT

will further study the specialist diploma in Infocomm security.

(d) Ancillary (Diploma Plus) pathway – This pathway allows an existing diploma

student attending a second year course to take an additional course offered in

the form of specialist diploma. This pathway thus renders the opportunity to earn

„double diplomas‟ simultaneously. The course will add new benefits and

strengths on the student. An example is the Singapore Polytechnic‟s Specialist

Diploma in Applied Business Psychology. There, a second year student can opt

to take an extra diploma, whist studying in the original diploma programme.

(e) Extra-ordinary (Experience-based) pathway – this pathway to specialist

diploma allows the matured candidate with experience, but in lack of degree or

even diploma to attend the course. For instance, the specialist diploma in

strategic brand management of Nanyang polytechnics will accept the candidate

who has significant managerial experience despite of not possessing polytechnic

diploma or university degree. But this entry is on the case-by-case basis.

Based on the existing specialist diplomas in the market, we can interpret the specialist

diploma as either a post-diploma or a so-called post-graduate diploma. And we do not

find the specialist diploma which is designed in single diploma at the undergraduate

level.

Now, we will look at some essential features of specialist diplomas shown earlier in the

Fig. 1. The chosen characteristics are aim pf the course, modules (number, study hours

and credits, duration), assessment methods, prerequisite, course fees, etc.

Essential Features of Specialist Diplomas

Aims

The specialist diplomas aim to meet the needs of those who are keen to keep abreast of

the latest developments in the respective areas such as business administration, IT,

engineering, life sciences, etc. Therefore, the courses target mostly to professionals,

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managers and executives and they are offered as part-time programmes. On the other

hand, the specialist diplomas designed to add the value to existing full-time students aim

to enhance the students‟ personal lives and overall career performance as well as their

employability.

Modules

The number of modules in a specialist diploma varies significantly among the

programmes. This programme with large number of modules is the Specialist Diploma in

Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (SMENA) in Singapore Polytechnics which

has 14 modules with total contact hours of 410. The programme is delivered in part-time

and over three semesters. This course is collaboration with the Universities of Glasgow

and Strathclyde (UGS). A graduate who has achieved an overall mark of 60% will only

need to complete a year of study in Singapore or UK to qualify for the award of a BEng

Honours degree.

On the other hand, the smallest number of modules was found in Temasek Polytechnics‟

Special Diploma in Semiconductor in which a student is required to take 2 compulsory

modules and 2 elective modules. Another small number of modules was found in the

„Diploma Plus‟ programme of Singapore Polytechnics. A student is required to take 1

module in the second year semester 1, 2 modules in the second year – semester 2, and

1 module and 1 paper in the Year 3 – semester 1.

In average specialist diplomas have 5 modules plus project, as found in Nanyang

Polytechnics and Temasek Polytechnics. The contact hours are approximately 300

hours. The lectures are being offered once a week and the duration of one module is 15

weeks, thus the total contact hours amount to 45 hours. The final paper or project is

rated as 75 hours work. The duration of the whole programme is approximately one

year.

Assessment

The specialist diplomas use the examination to assess the candidate‟s success after the

course. An interesting point is found in some programmes that the candidates can sing

up for individual module without registering for the examination and they are awarded a

Certificate of Attendance, if they meet at least 75% attendance. An example is the

Specialist Diploma in Arts and Events Management offered by Temasek Polytechnics.

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Pre-requisites

The specialist diplomas differ in the pre-requisites of the course. In general, the

supplementary type of specialist diplomas claim that candidates have specific prior

knowledge and qualification, whereas the complementary type of specialist diplomas

does not ask pre-requisites. An example of the first case is Nanyang‟s Specialist

Diploma in IT Security in which the candidates must possess either polytechnic diploma

or degree in IT. The second example is the Specialist Diploma in Accounting and

Finance offered by the Temasek Polytechnics; no prior knowledge in accounting is

required.

Specialist diplomas can set the working experience as a requirement for the application.

When the courses are to be built around the practical knowledge and maturity, the

minimum number of working experience needs to be met by the candidates. For

instance, the Specialist Diploma of Enterprise Networking offered by Temasek

Polytechnics demands at least one year working experience in information system or

networking.

Course Fees

The course fees are strongly relating to the number of modules and duration of course.

For instance, SMENA, the programme with large number of modules, charges

approximately S$9000. The lowest fees was found in the “Doploma-Plus‟ programme of

Singapore Polytechnics which charges the students merely S$1500. In average the

course fee per module amounts to S$500 and the entire course is payable

approximately S$2700. The courses differ also in the availability of funding or subsidy

from the government or a particular agency. For example, in the Specialist Diploma in

Semiconductor, funding is available from MOE subsidy.

Collaboration and Alliance

When we look at the existing specialist programmes in Singapore, It could be noticed

that the Polytechnics are offering the courses in collaboration with the government

agencies or industrial associations such as Inforcomm Development Authority of

Singapore (iDA), Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) of Singapore, etc. It was

also found that a foreign academic institution from abroad involves in delivering the

designed course to meet the required international and industrial standards, e.g.

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Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde (UGS) in the Specialist Diploma of Maritime

Engineering and Naval Architectures.

Moreover, the support and funding by the government (Ministries and Agencies) are

crucial to run the programmes and to attract the students. It can be also noticed that

polytechnics in Singapore could move themselves along with the government‟s policy

such as hub of the service, life-long learning, etc., and hence gain some supports from

the government as well as industrial associations.

Design and Development of New Specialist Diplomas

After reviewing the characteristics of existing specialist diplomas in Singapore market,

we can understand that the specialist diplomas need to have a strong orientation

towards the chosen target market. The design and development of the new specialist

diplomas are required to be in line with the markets trend and expectations. In addition

to these factors, it is also necessary to have a strong support and collaboration with

external parties which can provide either technical expertise or financial supports like

funding and subsidy.

From the perspective of the curriculum development, it is necessary to design the course

in such a way that the offered modules are strongly relating and focusing on the subject

in specialization. The effectiveness of the course in terms of meeting the learning

objectives depends largely on the design and structure of the course as well as the

delivery. The practical aspects and the application orientation are essential in a

specialist programmes.

In the development of the courses and implementation of the programmes, the

educational organization needs to have a central unit that will play a vital roles linking

and integrating all the parties concerned. In some polytechnics, the centre for the skills

development or professional skills development unit has been set up and it oversees the

development of the programme and well functioning of the programmes. In the following

diagram, we can see the possible relationships among the parties involved to carry out

the specialist diploma programmes.

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Fig. 2 The pivotal role of the Skills Development Centre

Exploring the markets for specialist diplomas

The review on specialist diploma revealed that specialist diplomas are mainly demanded

by the life-long learners to enhance their skills and to upgrade their education level in

line with advancements in the environment. Therefore the market of specialist diplomas

lies in the domestic arena, namely Singapore domestic employment market. However, it

is also relevant to consider the general market trend and development in all markets.

Here in this paper, the focus will be however the local market and we like to analyse the

demand of specialist diplomas by the life-long learners (called as L3 in Informatics). After

this, an attention will be paid towards general trend in the market and the appropriate

specialist diplomas which can be offered in all market segments both life-long learners

(L3) as well as existing students (called in Informatics as CGS – College Going

Students).

Skills

Development

Centre

Ex-

Students

Ex-

Students

Potential

Students

(Life-long

Learners)

Employers

Affiliated

Bodies

Governments

And

Sponsors

Faculties

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Demand for Specialist Diplomas in Singapore Market

The required skills and their development are determined by various environmental

factors. Among others, the government can play an important force behind the

development process. Singapore government has made some crucial changes in the

economy to cope with the changing landscape in the international investment and

globalization process which is taking place around the world.

The government‟s major shift in the policy after realizing some strategic change of

MNCs to the new locations such as China, Malaysia and Vietnam, was to divert the

economy from traditional sectors such as electronics to the biomedical industry. The new

industry is however not easy to gain momentum due to the need of long-term

development of the skills and resources, e.g. scientists. The another bold move made by

the government is the set up of integrated resort (IR) by which the foreign casinos will be

allowed to operate in Singapore, with the expectation to boost the number of tourists and

their spending. Similar to the new drives in the tourist sector, the government‟s basic

economic strategy is to create Singapore into service hub of all kinds of businesses, e.g.

education, health, financial, etc.

To reflect the policy changes and the development in the labor market, we can review

the employment statistics. First and foremost, we can clearly see that the employment of

Singapore increased steadily in the past. In the year, 2006, the number of total

employment reached to 2.5 millions. (See Appendix I.) The employment statistics of

Singapore indicate a high proportion of the service sector, employing 68% of total

workforce, while the manufacturing and construction sectors hired only 21 % and 10%

respectively. The statistics show also that the service sector was employing increasingly

since 1997 up to 2004. After 2004, the manufacturing sector increased its quota slightly.

The changes in the number of employees in each sector for the period 2002-2006 show

that the service sector has a largest increase. (See the Appendix 3.) In 2006, the total

number of increase in employment was approximately 176,000 and the service sector

had contributed the increase of approximately 113,000. The increase of employment in

the service sector can be further analysed by the sub-sectors as shown below:

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Tab. 1: The changes in the employment within the service sector in 2006

Source: Appendix 3

As found in the above table, the top three sectors are community, social and personal

services, wholesale and retail trade, and administrative and support services. The top

services which grew consistently during the period, 2002-2006, are the first and the third

sector plus the hotels and restaurants; the other sectors showed at least a drop in one

year during the period. From this result, it is advisable to consider the following sub-

sectors as potential market areas of providing specialist diplomas:

a) Personal services (e.g. personal financial planning, career consultants)

b) Wholesale and Retail Trade (e.g. channel design, channel relationship,

logistics, supply chain, JIT, industrial marketing, merchandizing, business

negotiation, retail advertising and promotion, etc.)

c) Administrative and support services (e.g. risk management, office

automation, operations management, IT specialists, etc.)

d) Hotel and restaurants (e.g. event management, customer relationship

management, security management, etc.)

Potential areas of skills development and specialization for existing diploma students

Specialist diplomas can be designed and offered to the existing diploma students. The

aims of the new specialized diploma will enhance their abilities and skills not only in their

Sub-sector

Increase in Employment

(‘000)

1 Community, Social and Personal Services 23.7

2 Wholesale and Retail Trade 18.5

3 Administrative and Support Services 15.8

4 Professional Services 13.8

5 Hotels and Restaurants 12.6

6 Financial Services 11.3

7 Information and Communication 6.5

8 Transport and Storage 6.0

9 Real estates and leasing services 4.5

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field of study, but also to the relevant and associated areas. This will increase also the

opportunity to enter to wider fields and to be competitive among the new carriers. For

this, it is necessary to consider the general trend and developments in the work

environment and job markets. At least two important dimensions can be taken into

account for the development of specialized courses/

1) The accelerating process of globalization and emergence of global businesses as

well as increased international relationships and communication are to be considered

as important factor and inputs for the design of specialist diplomas for young

generations. They should prepare the required qualifications and skills to work in

such new environment and systems. So there should be new areas of study and

subjects which will make familiar with global economy and global business

environment. Understanding of the key institutions in the global system is essential to

them. The new generation of students should possess strong communication skills

with those in other parts of the world.

2) In the same trend of globalization, the important area of knowledge and skills

development is how to catch up with the technological advances and developments.

The advanced information and communication technology has changed the scope

and the methods of operations by all kinds of working people. The skillful and

effective use of the technology in the daily life and work environment is certainly an

advantage to everyone. So, the technology development should be designed into a

new area of study for undergraduate students.

For the globalization and international dimension, we like to recommend designing the

course which will give knowledge of global economy and business. The course will bear

a sort of title such as Specialist Diploma in Global Environment.

For the second dimension, i.e. technology, a specialized course can be developed with

the aim to equip the students with advanced technologies which are generally applicable

in all areas of works. The title of the course can be like Specialist Diploma in Application

of ICT (Information and Communication Technology).

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Internal Factors

Not only the external (market) trends and developments are essential, the design,

development and offer of specialized diplomas need to consider the internal factors as

well. The match or fit between the external (market) factors and the internal strength is

essential to create successful programme from the beginning to the end. The

organization must possess the expertise in the areas of new courses and the necessary

resources (staff, experts, facilities0 must be available.

Particularly for Informatics, the organization‟s positioning in the market or industry is very

important. Informatics has its root in the computer or IT education. Currently, two main

areas of higher education are being handled by the organization, namely compute and

business studies. The positioning of it in the market is described as “IT-Plus‟. Based on

this, the design and development of new specialist courses should use an

„interdisciplinary‟ approach; that means the new courses should pool the resources and

expertise in these two areas.

Informatics can develop the following interdisciplinary courses in specialization:

(a) Specialized Diploma in Computerized Accounting

(b) Specialized Diploma in Database Marketing

(c) Specialized Diploma in Internet Marketing

(d) Specialized Diploma in e-Commerce

(e) Specialized Diploma in Online Marketing Research

(f) Specialized Diploma in Internet Banking

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Conclusion

Specialist diplomas are well developed and offered in the market, especially by

polytechnics. It is a well-designed programme with the aim to enhance and to develop

the skills of candidates which are essential and required in workplaces or practical field.

The specialist diplomas are mainly targeted to life-long learners and hence the courses

are being offered as part-time programme. However, it is also possible to design and to

offer specialist diplomas to existing full-time students with the aim to learn more and to

earn additional diplomas within a regular study period.

We have reviewed existing specialist diplomas and found that there are possibility of

creating different pathways and different features in the programmes. At the same time,

we could generalize that specialist diplomas need to focus strongly the selected specific

subject areas with average 5 modules plus the project. The strong orientation towards

the skill development and application in the field are essential in these programmes. A

successful development and offer of a specialist diploma is required to have an affiliation

and collaboration with an agency or industrial association concerned. The specialist

diploma should be also developed in accordance with the demand and changes in the

labour market. Singapore manpower statistics indicate that the service sector is

constituting the largest proportion and growing as well. So, the skills development can

be considered in such service areas as personal services, retailing, hospitality industry,

etc. The Informatics can capture these market opportunities by capitalizing its market

position as IT-plus, having both IT and business education programmes.

Although the specialist diploma is a subprogramme of overall education programme

offered by high education entities, it can be a powerful programme to attract the adult

(life-long learners) students. These students are seeking the (specialist) programme

which will meet their requirements and learning objectives. Thus, we like to finally

recommend the specialist diplomas as a suitable programme to tap the growing market

of skill developments by life-long learners.

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Appendix 1:

List of Specialist Diplomas offered by Polytechnics in Singapore

Source: Websites of polytechnics

Ngee Ann Polytechnics

Specialist Diploma in Organizational Excellence (in collaboration with iDA (Inforcomm Development Authority)

Specialist Diploma in Franchise Management (in collaboration with the Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) Singapore)

Specialist Diploma in Facility Management (in collaboration with PREMAS International, a real estate asset and facility management company) (ITIS)

Specialist Diploma in 3D Animation and VFX (ANIVFX)

Specialist Diploma in Data Communications & Networking (DCN)

Specialist Diploma in Web Technology Specialist Diploma in Applied Microbiology

Specialist Diploma in Molecular Biotechnology

Singapore Polytechnics

Specialist Diploma in Applied Business Psychology

Specialist Diploma in Digital Film and TV (SDFTV)

Specialist Diploma in Statistics and Data MiningSpecialist Diploma in e-Learning Design and Development (SEDD)

Specialist Diploma in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (SMENA) (in collaboration with Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde (UGS)

Specialist Diploma in CNC Application (PSCNC)

Specialist Diploma in ship Operation and Management, organized by Singapore Maritime Academy - SMA)

Nanyang Polytechnics

Specialist Diploma in Strategic Brand Management

Specialist diploma in IT Security

Temasek Polytechnics

Specialist diploma in Accounting and Finance,

Specialist diploma in Sales and Marketing

Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management Specialist Diploma in International Business (in collaboration with the International Trade

Institute of Singapore

Specialist Diploma in Publishing

Specialist diploma in Infocomm Security

Specialist diploma in Enterprise Networking

Specialist diploma in Semiconductor Technology

Specialist diploma in Arts and Events Management

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Appendix 2: Employment in Singapore

Source: Ministry of Manpower

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Employment as at Year-end ('000)

1,823.2 1,925.8 2,046.1 2,022.7 2,062.6 2,171.1 2,171.0 2,148.1 2,135.2 2,206.6 2,319.9 2,495.9

Employment by Sector as at Year-end (%)

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Manufacturing 24.5 22.8 21.6 20.5 20.3 20.5 19.8 19.8 19.7 20.2 20.5 20.7

Construction 12.7 14.7 16.1 16.0 14.9 14.2 13.2 11.8 11.0 10.3 10.1 10.2

Services 62.1 61.7 61.5 62.7 64.0 64.5 66.3 67.7 68.6 68.9 68.7 68.4

Others 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7

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Appendix 3: The change of employment by sectors (in ‘000)

Industry 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

TOTAL -22.9 -12.9 71.4 113.3 176.0

MANUFACTURING -5.4 -5.0 27.0 29.1 41.6

Food, Beverages & Tobacco 1.1 0.3 0.9 2.5 2.3

Paper Products & Printing -0.6 -0.4 0.5 1.0 0.7

Petroleum, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Products

0.8 4.2 1.2 1.6 3.5

Rubber & Plastic Products -1.1 0.9 0.3 -0.9 0.1

Fabricated Metal Products -0.9 0.1 1.1 1.5 2.0

Machinery & Equipment -0.1 0.8 5.4 5.2 6.3

Electrical Products -1.2 -0.5 -0.2 - 0.8

Electronic Products -5.0 -2.8 7.8 2.7 3.3

Medical & Precision Instruments 0.4 -1.0 1.2 0.5 -1.2

Transport Equipment 4.3 -5.2 8.3 14.2 21.8

Other Manufacturing Industries -3.1 -1.3 0.6 0.7 2.1

CONSTRUCTION -34.3 -17.5 -9.1 8.7 20.5

SERVICES 16.5 9.9 54.9 73.8 112.7

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE -0.1 -2.3 11.0 12.6 18.5

Wholesale Trade -0.4 -1.9 8.3 7.6 15.3

Retail Trade 0.3 -0.3 2.7 5.1 3.3

TRANSPORT AND STORAGE 3.6 -0.7 2.7 6.4 6.0

Land Transport & Supporting Services 2.8 -1.9 1.0 1.4 1.6

Water Transport & Supporting Services 0.2 0.7 0.5 2.6 1.5

Air Transport & Supporting Services 0.2 -1.2 -0.6 -0.6 0.1

Other Transport & Storage Services 0.3 1.7 1.8 3.0 1.9

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS 3.3 1.9 4.1 5.7 12.6

Hotels -1.1 -1.1 -0.1 0.7 0.5

Restaurants 4.4 3.0 4.3 5.0 12.1

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS -2.1 -2.5 2.8 3.7 6.5

Broadcasting & Publishing -0.8 -1.5 0.7 0.2 0.5

Telecommunications -0.1 -0.5 -0.2 -0.5 0.2

IT & Other Information Services -1.1 -0.5 2.3 3.9 5.8

FINANCIAL SERVICES -2.0 2.2 6.2 7.7 11.3

Financial Institutions -3.0 1.5 4.8 6.1 9.7

Insurance 0.9 0.7 1.3 1.6 1.6

REAL ESTATE AND LEASING SERVICES 0.4 -0.8 -0.2 2.5 4.5

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES -3.8 -0.1 4.6 7.7 13.8

Legal, Accounting & Management Services -1.2 0.6 2.9 3.5 5.8

Architectural & Engineering Services -1.9 -1.1 0.3 2.0 4.8

Other Professional Services -0.7 0.4 1.3 2.2 3.3

ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES

4.9 5.0 10.9 10.1 15.8

23 | P a g e

COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES**

12.4 7.1 12.8 17.5 23.7

Education & Public Administration 4.2 4.3 1.3 4.1 6.1

Health & Social Services 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.4 3.0

Other Community, Social & Personal Services

6.2 1.1 9.6 11.9 14.6

OTHERS* 0.3 -0.4 -1.3 1.7 1.1

Source: Ministry of Manpower