Project IMDD focuses on enhancing the logistics skills of young talents through mentorship and a hands-on approach by providing skills-based knowledge, it aims to empower individuals in the field. The project leverages on Digitalization, Sustainability, and Generative Artificial Intelligence to address geopolitical challenges in Supply Chain Management
In Focus
"Young Singaporeans entering the workforce are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills from school, but will still need to sharpen their skills based on their work requirements"
— PM Lawrence WongSource: Ng Wei Kai, Straits Times, November 19 2024"
I had no experience in logistics when I joined my current company that took me onboard for work study diploma under a pilot program called Project IMDD. My mentor vigorously trained me in control tower supply chain management. Subsequently progressing into airfreight operations and vaccines management. Over the course of training that I received, my GPA went from 2.4 to current 3.8.
Jovi Ng
ITE Graduate in Higher Nitec Events Management
"
During interview, i was informed about project IMDD and was glad that the company took me onboard for work study diploma despite not having any prior knowledge about logistics. Over the course of 2 years, I was mentored on pharma cold chain management for air export and import. I now have a clear understanding of air operations and I'm able to execute and manage critical pharmaceutical shipments confidently. Also my GPA prior to joining the company was 1.8 to currently 4. A grade that I thought was not achievable. Thank you Project IMDD
Thomas Ting
ITE Graduate in Human Resource
"
I was an intern with my current company and heard about a pilot program called project IMDD. I decided to participate and after completing my internship, the company offered me a full-time employment. For the first 2 months, i was mentored on how to manage e-commerce shipments and learn about air freight operations. My GPA is 3.8. However, embarking on project IMDD, i realized that the skills i received is worth more than grades.
Dylan Ang
ITE Graduate in Nitec International Logistics
"
I was initially skeptical about a pilot program called Project IMDD as my role was a driver in 2023. Unbeknownst to me, the training was stringent as the job requires me to comply to Standard Operating Procedures as i am collecting and delivering life saving pharmaceutical shipments using technology for real-time temperature monitoring. Today, as a highly trained and experienced supervisor, I'm mentoring the younger talents. This is beyond just a typical driver's role, the soft skills, employment of technology, technical know-how and meeting customers on the ground is beyond my comprehension. I realized that the starting role of the driver in project IMDD is more than meets the eye.
Syauqii
ITE Graduate in Higher Nitec International Logistics
"
I was 6 months into my work-study diploma with a company that suddenly decided not to continue with the program. I contacted my previous company that I had internship with when I was still a student, and found out about project IMDD. One month into my new company, I'm already meeting customers packing high valued shipments at customer's premise, and lodging the shipment to the airline terminal. On top of that, I'm being mentored to manage a fulfilment warehouse for thermal packaging solutions. I live in the west and the company is located in the east, I realized that distance should never be considered when applying for jobs. Project IMDD is living to its standards!
Kerwin
ITE Graduate in Nitec Logistics Services
"
I had no experience in logistics when I joined my current company that took me onboard for work study diploma under a pilot program called Project IMDD. My mentor vigorously trained me in control tower supply chain management. Subsequently progressing into airfreight operations and vaccines management. Over the course of training that I received, my GPA went from 2.4 to current 3.8.
Jovi Ng
ITE Graduate in Higher Nitec Events Management
"
During interview, i was informed about project IMDD and was glad that the company took me onboard for work study diploma despite not having any prior knowledge about logistics. Over the course of 2 years, I was mentored on pharma cold chain management for air export and import. I now have a clear understanding of air operations and I'm able to execute and manage critical pharmaceutical shipments confidently. Also my GPA prior to joining the company was 1.8 to currently 4. A grade that I thought was not achievable. Thank you Project IMDD
Thomas Ting
ITE Graduate in Human Resource
"
I was an intern with my current company and heard about a pilot program called project IMDD. I decided to participate and after completing my internship, the company offered me a full-time employment. For the first 2 months, i was mentored on how to manage e-commerce shipments and learn about air freight operations. My GPA is 3.8. However, embarking on project IMDD, i realized that the skills i received is worth more than grades.
Dylan Ang
ITE Graduate in Nitec International Logistics
"
I was initially skeptical about a pilot program called Project IMDD as my role was a driver in 2023. Unbeknownst to me, the training was stringent as the job requires me to comply to Standard Operating Procedures as i am collecting and delivering life saving pharmaceutical shipments using technology for real-time temperature monitoring. Today, as a highly trained and experienced supervisor, I'm mentoring the younger talents. This is beyond just a typical driver's role, the soft skills, employment of technology, technical know-how and meeting customers on the ground is beyond my comprehension. I realized that the starting role of the driver in project IMDD is more than meets the eye.
Syauqii
ITE Graduate in Higher Nitec International Logistics
"
I was 6 months into my work-study diploma with a company that suddenly decided not to continue with the program. I contacted my previous company that I had internship with when I was still a student, and found out about project IMDD. One month into my new company, I'm already meeting customers packing high valued shipments at customer's premise, and lodging the shipment to the airline terminal. On top of that, I'm being mentored to manage a fulfilment warehouse for thermal packaging solutions. I live in the west and the company is located in the east, I realized that distance should never be considered when applying for jobs. Project IMDD is living to its standards!
Kerwin
ITE Graduate in Nitec Logistics Services
Our Mission
SAAA@Singapore's Project IMDD aims to attract talent to the logistics industry by offering skills competency training, mentorship, and long-term career development opportunities.
- 01
Partner from the root
Partner with the 5 polytechnics and ITE
- 02
Pair with industry
Internship or work-study with forward-looking logistics companies
- 03
Retain talent
Far-sighted career initiatives that keep talent in logistics
- 04
Further education
Direct entry to Work Study Degree or Work Study Specialist Diploma
- 05
Build skills competency
SAAA training programmes before company-specific skills training
- 06
Industry exposure
Site visits organised by SAAA
- 07Final outcome
Next-generation talent
A pool of high-skilled, tech-savvy logisticians
- 01
Selection
5–6 month internship with a SAAA member logistics company
- 02
Basic Skills Training
Extensive SAAA training throughout Project IMDD
- 03
Talent Development
Mentorship as a full-time employee with a partner company
- 04
Final Year Project
Compete in the SAAA Logistics Skills Competition
- 05
Further Education
Direct entry to Work Study Degree or Specialist Diploma
- 06
Follow Up
Track progression of this initiative for the next 5 years
Case Study — SAAA Pilot Run
To address the challenges of recruiting young talents into the logistics industry, ex SAAA council member (Roger Chew) accepted 2 ITE candidates majoring in Human Resource Management (GPA 1) & Events Management (GPA 2) respectively for Work Study Diploma to work as Logistics Specialists in 2023.
After 2 years of mentoring, they are proficient in Control Tower Supply Chain Management for Cold Chain Pharma and Air Operations Roles. Their GPA also improved from 1 to 4 and 2 to 3.8 respectively. Through this success, SFS received overwhelming candidates wanting to intern or work full time with SFS after internship.
SFS accepted more candidates for Project IMDD officially launching in 2025. 2 candidates Major in Logistics and 1 Major in Electrical Engineering to work as Logistics Specialists with SFS.