Singapore: Precision engineering hub

Singapore's precision engineering activities began in the 1970s to support the first manufacturing investments. Today, there are some 2,700 companies, ranging from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational corporations (MNCs), in the precision engineering sector. Singapore also plays host to the headquarters and R&D functions of many of these companies.
 The precision engineering sector in Singapore comprises a range of companies from contract manufacturers to full solution providers, who offer design, prototyping, production and supply chain management capabilities. The sector's unique strengths are key reasons for Singapore's global leadership position in areas, such as aerospace, semiconductor equipment and oil & gas equipment. More importantly, Singapore's well-established research and development infrastructure allows companies to gain competitive advantages over their competitors.

Singapore remains focused on manufacturing
 Manufacturing is a key pillar of the Singapore economy. In 2010, the manufacturing sector contributed 22% of our GDP. Singapore manufacturing output grew 16% from 2009 to S$270 billion (US$213 billion) in 2010. The Government is committed to maintaining the contribution of manufacturing at between 20% to 25% of Singapore's GDP. The Precision Engineering industry is the backbone of their manufacturing sector. There are about 2,700 precision engineering companies in this sector employing over 90,000 workers, or about 22% of our manufacturing workforce. These companies are engaged in the design, development and manufacture of high-mix, low-volume equipment, as well as the production and supply of technology-intensive precision components. This strong manufacturing base has equipped us with the breadth and depth of capabilities and skills that are critical for complex manufacturing.

Developing engineering talent and capabilities
Building complex equipment requires specialised skills and knowledge. In consultation with industry and our institutions of higher learning, the Singapore Government has formulated a manpower development blueprint to further expand and deepen capabilities in the Precision Engineering industry. Specialist postgraduate programs, such as the Masters of Science in Lasers & Optics at the Nanyang Technological University, and specialist polytechnic programs, such as the Diploma in Precision Engineering at Nanyang Polytechnic, are available for engineers and technicians, respectively. In 2011, a new S$52 million (US$41 million) initiative, the Precision Engineering Vocational Continuing Education Training, was launched to build a pool of deeply skilled precision engineering Master Craftsmen to further strengthen our manufacturing foundation.
This initiative aims to train 2,800 master craftsmen over the next 10 years, with skill levels similar to those of advanced manufacturing countries such as Germany and Japan. Singapore needs to upgrade existing craftsmen, as well as attract new craftsmen to support the growth of complex manufacturing activities in the country.

Deepening and expanding supplier capabilities in Singapore
In addition to manpower development, the Government is also focused on deepening and expanding supplier capabilities in Singapore. As Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) engage, in more complex manufacturing with increasingly sophisticated technology, it is important that their suppliers are equipped with the right skill-sets to meet their needs. Their aim is to catalyse strategic partnerships between OEMs and critical suppliers to foster knowledge and technology transfer into the supply chain.
The Government has therefore set aside S$250 million (US$197 million) for the Partnership for Capability Transformation progrWomens Running Shoes & Running Clothes