Employability Competency Development Program (ECDP)
The ECD Program supports a placement of between three to nine months for each trainee at an organisation, government department or a company. The aim is to promote the development of technical skills and competencies, collaborations and networks that will enhance successful integration into the world of work and self-employment; to explore the career option they have studied, fill their skills gaps, and test out the skills and competences acquired.
Once an intern transitions into the Alumni, opportunities for ongoing support of mentorship, collaboration, networking, career counselling and leadership is available. ECD Program empowers talented early-and mid-career professionals and graduates to:
- integrate the knowledge and skills learned with actual work experience in the chosen career path
- gain hands-on work experience within the chosen field
- develop a network of professionals
- acquire and refine/hone skills
- develop professionalism and nurture confidence
Currently, the Academy is the one-stop-shop for entrepreneurship and employability skills training for early-and mid-career professionals and young graduates. Employability skills are transferable skills needed by youth to make them employable. Besides, good technical understanding and subject knowledge, employers often look for employability skills (combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes) which are limited in the courses offered at the universities.
Among other valuable skills, employability skills include communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, critical thinking, using initiative and self-motivated, working under pressure and to deadlines, organizational skills, team working, ability to learn and adapt, numeracy, valuing diversity and difference and negotiation skills.