Building New Horizons

Singapore is a distinctive global city with a worldclass built environment. International surveys consistently ranked Singapore as one of the most liveable citiesa great place to live, work, play and learn. The BCA Academya leading institution in education

and research on the built environmentis proud to be a part of this achievement. Through its comprehensive range of training, education and research programmes, the Academy plays an important role in supporting the development of an excellent built environment.

Message from MANAGING DIRECTOR

MR BENEDICT TAN Welcome to the BCA Academy. The building and construction industry is a key pillar of the Singapore economy. It delivers the world-class buildings and infrastructure necessary to sustain our economic development and growth. The industry also provides employment for a large number of people in a wide range of jobs, professions and businesses. Thus, it is imperative for us to nurture and develop a professional, progressive and productive industry, capable of delivering good quality projects at competitive prices, in a timely and safe manner. As the education and research arm of the Building and Construction Authority, the BCA Academy plays a leading role helping the industry to acquire new skills and capabilities. The BCA Academy offers a wide range of programmes for the training of personnel in the industry at all levels, from construction craftsmen and supervisors to technicians, managers and professionals. To support the national agenda for sustainable development, the Academy has also developed a framework on training green professionals and workers. These green training programmes include Masters and Undergraduate Programmes (in collaboration with reputable universities), Diploma and Specialist Diploma Programmes, and Certification Courses. With the completion of the Zero Energy Building @ BCA Academy, the Academy aspires to be the centre for green building education and research for the tropics. The BCA Academy has seen strong growth over the last few years. To cater to the increasing student population and to provide a more conducive learning experience, the campus will be re-developed and expanded over the next few years. Some pictures of the new Academy are featured elsewhere in this brochure. The manifold activities of the Academy as captured in this publication reflect a progressive and dynamic organisation. We look forward to the challenging and exciting times ahead with optimism. To all our readers, we invite you to visit us at the BCA Academy.

THE BEST BUILT

OUR MISSION
To provide quality training, learning and research programmes for the development of an excellent built environment.

ENVIRONMENT FOR SINGAPORE, OUR DISTINCTIVE GLOBAL CITY

OUR VISION
To be a leader in education and research on the built environment.

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Advisory
Panel Members

The development and direction of the BCA Academy is guided by an Advisory Panel consisting of distinguished persons from the industry and academia.

The BCA Academy of the Built Environment is the education and

research arm of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore. The mission of BCA is to shape a safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly built environment. Founded in 1984 as the Construction Industry Training Centre (CITC), its main role was the training of craft workers for the rapidly growing construction industry. In 1994, the Centre was renamed as the Construction Industry Training Institute (CITI) and was moved to its purpose-built campus at Braddell Road. CITI was restructured and transformed to become the BCA Academy in 2007. Whilst the training of craftsmen for the construction industry remains a key focus, the BCA Academy now takes on the new challenge to equip professionals, managers, executives and technicians with the knowledge, skills and competency to operate effectively in a technologically advanced and modern built environment sector. Today, the BCA Academy, possibly, the only institution in the world that provides a full range of training and education programmes tailored to meet the diverse needs of the building industry at all levels. The programmes and activities of the Academy are captured in the ensuing pages.

CHAIRMAN
Prof Cheong Hee Kiat
President, SIM University

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
Mr Kevin Wong King Cheung
Group CEO, Keppel Land Limited Board Member, Building and Construction Authority

MEMBERS
Mr Chia Ngiang Hong
Group General Manager, City Developments Ltd

Mr Seah Choo Meng

Director, Davis Langdon & Seah Singapore Pte Ltd

Mr Pek Lian Guan

Executive Director and CEO, Tiong Seng Holdings Ltd

Mr Jeffrey Chua
Managing Director, CPG Facilities Management Pte Ltd

Mr Tai Lee Siang

Group Managing Director (Designate), Ong & Ong Architects Pte Ltd

A/Prof Tseng King Jet

Head of Division of Power Engineering, Director of Centre for Smart Energy Systems, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technology University

Mr Tan Kiat Leong

Executive Director, Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner (SEA) Pte Ltd

Prof Tan Thiam Soon

Vice Provost (Education), National University of Singapore

Introducing the BCA Academy

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A Lifelong Learning Journey

At the BCA Academy, we offer a life-long learning journey for individuals
who want to establish a career in the built environment. The academic progression chart shows the different educational pathways for individuals who wish to acquire or upgrade their skills and qualifications for their academic and career progression.

Diploma Programmes
For school leavers who wish to pursue a career in the built environment, the BCA Academy offers a wide choice of diploma programmes. The curricula for these diploma programmes are practiceoriented and tailored specifically to the needs of the construction industry. The courses are taught by experienced in-house lecturers, supplemented by guest lecturers with years of experience in their respective specialised fields. With its wide contacts in the industry, the Academy is also able to offer its students appropriate and useful placements with industry firms for their industrial attachments. Currently, the Academy offers six full-time three-year diploma programmes for school leavers. Working adults may opt to study for the diplomas on a part-time basis. The Diploma Programmes offered by the Academy are:
Diploma in Construction Engineering Diploma in Design (Interior and Landscape) Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Green Building Technology) Diploma in Strategic Facilities Management Diploma in Construction Information Technology Diploma in Electrical Engineering and Clean Energy

Academic Progression & Career Development

Masters Degree Post Graduate Diploma Degree Specialist Diploma Diploma Supervisory Certi cates National Building Quali cation Trade Diploma Skills Certi cation

Specialist Diploma Programmes

Executive Programmes Specialist Certi cates (Professional) Specialist Certi cates (Associate Professional)
Targeted at executives and managers working in the industry, the curricula of the Specialist Diploma Programmes focus on specialist knowledge in niche areas. The aim is to help industry practitioners acquire new capabilities and competencies, and keep abreast with new developments and changes in the industry. The Specialist Diploma Programmes offered by the Academy are: Specialist Diploma in Facility & Energy Management
Specialist Diploma in Interior & Landscape Design Specialist Diploma in Building Cost Management Specialist Diploma in Construction Management Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health Specialist Diploma in M&E Co-ordination

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COURSES IN GREEN BUILDINGS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Climate change is an issue that has been pre-occupying the minds of policy makers for years and will continue to be for decades to come. The building sector is responsible for over one-third of the carbon emission in Singapore. Many studies have shown that tremendous opportunities exist for reducing carbon emission in the construction and use of buildings. The BCA Academy has developed a comprehensive training framework to nurture a green collar workforce, at all levels, to support the national objective of reducing carbon emission from the sector through more sustainable building design, construction and operation of buildings.

Masters and Bachelor Programmes

MSc in Sustainable Building Design (University of Nottingham) MSc in Facility and Environment Management (University College London) BSc in Sustainable Facilities and Events Management (UniSIM and Singapore Polytechnic)

Diploma and Specialist Diploma Programmes

Diplomas in Strategic Facilities Management, Mechanical Engineering (Green Building Technology), and Electrical Engineering and Clean Energy Specialist Diplomas in M&E Co-ordination and Facilities & Energy Management

Certification Courses
Green Mark Manager, Green Mark Facility Manager, and Green Mark Professional

Seminars and Executive Development Programmes

BCA Green Mark Seminar BCA-REDAS Green Seminar Leadership in Green Building Lecture Series BCA Academy-HFT Stuttgart Executive Development Programme on Innovations in Sustainable Design & Technology BCA Academy-Carnegie Mellon University Executive Development Programme on Leadership in Environmental Sustainability, conducted in Pittsburgh, USA

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ADVANCED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES

To nurture and develop managerial and leadership capabilities, the BCA Academy organises executive and management training courses for professionals, managers and leaders of the construction industry. The Academy collaborates with Singapore Management University (SMU) to offer the SMU-BCA Advanced Management Programme for Leaders of the Building and Construction Industry. Using industry-specific case studies as learning points, the SMU-BCA AMP aims to impart a greater understanding of the complex market and process-oriented issues driving the industry. It also serves as a useful forum for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of experiences on organisational growth and achieving performance excellence.

To enable local firms and entrepreneurs intending to venture overseas to keep abreast with the developments and opportunities in regional countries, the Academy has two advanced management programmes with foreign universitiesTsinghua University in China and National Vietnam University. These two programmes help to equip participants with market-specific information and knowledge of the practices, culture, operating environment and risk in regional countries, and provide them a platform for networking and business development.

Artist impression of the new Centre for Construction IT

CUSTOMISED TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR OVERSEAS DELEGATES

Over the years, the BCA Academy has developed many customised training programmes for overseas delegates. These programmes include courses on green building design, building control, sustainable development practices, urban solutions and construction skills training. The Academy is proud to share Singapores experience in developing a safe, high quality, sustainable and friendly built environment with other countries. In recent years, many professionals, executives and technicians as well as workers from over 20 countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Rwanda and Malaysia have attended customised training programmes at the Academy.

Image source: Courtesy of Tay and Wong Associates Image source: Courtesy of LSW Consulting Engineers Pte Ltd

This course helps me to confront reality and change values, habits, practices and priorities, in order to deal with the real threat or the real opportunity to maximise performance, profitability and sustainable growth.
Mr Lee Chin Leong VP, Ascendas Services Pte Ltd, on the BCA-SMU AMP

CONSTRUCTION IT
Greater use of Information Technology (IT) to facilitate project collaboration and coordination across the construction value chain has been identified as one of the key enablers to improve construction productivity. In Singapore, to support companies in embracing advanced IT solutions, BCA Academy has set up a Centre for Construction IT (CCIT). The Centre will test-bed advanced IT solutions for the construction industry, conduct outreach programmes and support companies in their quest to tap on IT to enhance productivity. One of the key focuses for CCIT is to help construction companies to incorporate Building Information Modelling (BIM) into their key business processes to perform digital modelling, analysis and visualisation before the start of construction work. This helps to eliminate design conflicts and reduce costly rework on site.
Building New Horizons

Centre for

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Centre for WSH TRAINING IN CONSTRUCTION

Working safely will not only prevent accidents, but also improve work productivity. From the CEO to the construction workers of a company, it is everyones responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Training and education is paramount in cultivating a safety culture among all working personnel and fostering a safe environment for everyone. The BCA Academy has been playing a key role in catering to the specific training needs of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) personnel in the construction industry ranging from workers and supervisors to managers and CEOs. It currently conducts over 20 WSH related courses for all levels of working personnel. As one of the Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centres accredited by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Academy conducts training programmes for all the four levels (Certificate, Advanced Certificate, Specialist Diploma and Graduate Certificate) of the WSH professional qualifications which are aimed at training construction personnel to perform effectively the duties of WSH representatives, WSH co-ordinators, WSH officers and WSH auditors respectively. The BCA Academy also conducts courses that have been prescribed mandatory for the building industry by the Ministry of Manpower such as Construction Safety Orientation & Metal Scaffold Erection courses for construction workers and Building Construction Supervisors Safety, Formwork Safety & Supervision of Metal Scaffold Erection courses for supervisors. The Academy also conducts bizSAFE courses for CEOs and top management of companies.

Training and Certification

OF CRAFTSMEN AND PLANT OPERATORS

The BCA Academy is the only institution in Singapore equipped with the resources to train and test workers in a wide range of construction trades and in the operation of construction plants and equipment. The BCA Academy through its Centre for Construction Skills Training offers more than 30 trade training courses such as electrical installation, plumbing, painting, scaffolding, crane operation, excavator operation, etc. The quality of our skills training and certification courses is well-recognised, both locally and overseas. Construction workers form the backbone of the construction industry. A skillful and competent workforce is a pre-requisite for an advanced, productive and professional industry. The Academy is proud to be the national centre for the training and certification of construction workers.

Pathways for Career

Progression for Craftsmen

To make a career in construction more attractive to Singaporeans, the Academy has a training framework for the career development of skilled workers. By taking a trade diploma, the skilled worker will acquire additional knowledge and competency to qualify him as a construction supervisor. If he meets the minimum qualifying criteria, he may enrol for the National Building Qualification which will also prepare him to work in the industry at the supervisory level.

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Artist impression of the new BCA Academy building

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

With its excellent infrastructure, facilities and institutional resources, the BCA Academy is the place of learning, education, discourse and research on the built environment.

A Hub for the

Learning Journey @

BCA ACADEMY
The BCA Gallery, Sensory Garden and the Zero Energy Building at the BCA Academy provide a captivating learning experience for school children, the general public and foreign visitors. The Gallery showcases the achievements of the building and construction industry and its contribution in making Singapore into a global city of distinction. The Zero Energy Building with its state-of-the-art technologies, energysaving features and innovative designs continues to attract a large number of visitors, both local and foreign.

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A Vibrant Learning Environment

for Students

At the BCA Academy, we strive to provide our students with a holistic and well-rounded education. Students who pass through our portals are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge, and the confidence, to make a success of their careers. The large number of international students makes studying at the BCA Academy more interesting and engaging.

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What OUR STUDENTS SAY

Ms Chaw Suu Hlaing

Currently a 3rd year student in the Civil Engineering Faculty at NTU. Completed Diploma in Construction Engineering 2008.

Our PARTNERS
Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore Autodesk Asia Pte Ltd Carnegie Mellon University, USA Central Singapore Community Development Council Centre for Liveable Cities Civil Defence Academy Construction Industry Joint Committee Energy Market Authority Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Germany Housing and Development Board Institution of Engineers Singapore International Facility Management Association Jurong International Holdings Pte Ltd LTA Academy Ministry of Education Ministry of Manpower Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanyang Technological University National Environment Agency National Parks Board National University of Singapore Ngee Ann Polytechnic PUB, the National Water Agency Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore SIM University Singapore Armed Forces Singapore Cooperation Enterprise Singapore Contractors Association Limited Singapore Institute of Architects Singapore Institute of Surveyors Singapore Polytechnic Singapore Power Ltd Singapore Management University Singapore Structural Steel Society Singapore Workforce Development Agency Society of Project Managers Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, Germany The Glasgow School of Art, Scotland Tsinghua University, Beijing, China University College London, UK University of Freiburg, Germany University of Nottingham, UK Vietnam National University Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Council Wuhu Institute of Technology

My love for plants and trees has sparked off my interest to study landscape design. It is my ambition to become a landscape designer who actively applies her knowledge to the fullest at work. I believe that both indoor and outdoor aspects of design are very interesting and will be extremely useful for my future career. This is why I have chosen to study in the BCA Academy. The combination of Interior and Landscape Design makes it interesting and allows me to grasp both skills fully. My learning experience in the BCA Academy is enjoyable and certainly a treasured one. The software knowledge and soft skills I learnt at the Academy were very useful at work. The Academy offers a life-long learning journey for individuals who want to establish a career in the built environment. I would definitely consider upgrading myself at the BCA Academy in the near future.

Ms Nant Saw Thandar

Currently a Landscape Supervisor at Changi Airport, Terminal 3. Graduate of Diploma in Design (Interior and Landscape) 2009.

I wish to convey my deepest appreciation and gratitude to everyone at the BCA Academy, whose dedication and commitment have helped me progress in my education and gain admission into Nanyang Technological University. I spent a fruitful three years at the BCA Academy where invaluable knowledge was imparted by the lecturers. The Academy is indeed an institution that provides quality learning and training for the development of an excellent built environment. As an appreciation for my alma mater, I will strive to do my best at NTU and contribute to shaping the built environment.

Mr Quah Wee Keong

An NTU graduand in Bachelor of Civil Engineering 2010. Completed Diploma in Construction Engineering 2007.

My diploma from the BCA Academy was a stepping stone to university studies, and a large stride taken to meet my aspirations. The course provided me an in-depth knowledge of construction engineering and prepared me for the possible challenges in the field of civil engineering. The curriculum was also very useful and practical. The lecturers in the Academy were very friendly and approachable and they presented the course materials in a clear and logical sequence. There was always much enthusiasm in their delivery as they generated curiosity about the lecture materials right at the start of the lecture. All the lecturers were experts and authorities on their subjects. My learning experience was very challenging and interesting.

BCA Academy of the Built Environment

No. 200 Braddell Road Singapore 579700 Main Line: +65 6248 9999 Fax: +65 6258 0558 Email: bca_academy@bca.gov.sg
Information in this brochure is correct at the time of print (Aug 2010)