Skilled Local Talents in Animation and Visual Effects for Growing Digital Media Sector

Singaporeans will now have another entry point into the exciting digital media sector with the introduction of the first Creative Industries Workforce Skills Qualification (CI WSQ) Advanced Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) programme.

This programme is jointly developed by the Singapore Workforce Development (WDA), Media Development Authority (MDA) and CG Protégé, to equip individuals with highly specialised skills in areas, such as 3D animation, modelling, rigging, lighting, texturing and visual effects, through industry-relevant and competency-based training.

The digital media sector is entering new and exciting frontiers with significant increase in activities such as 3D animated film and TV production, gaming, and interactive media. Globally, the animation industry is set to experience a stellar growth of US$32.7 billion by 2009.

Said Mr Ong Ye Kung, Chief Executive of WDA: “Singapore is fast establishing itself as a media hub, with a rapidly growing digital animation and visual effects industry. WDA wants to help more local creative talents be part of it, by making structured, skills-based training available to our workers who have the aptitude and ability to do well in the industry. It is another avenue to help workers advance in their careers through skills training and upgrading.”

Upon completion of the Advanced Certificate programme, trainees will be ready to take on roles such as animators, lighting artists, modellers, VFX artists, texture artists, rigger and compositors.

CG Protégé is the first Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre for the digital media sector and to offer the Advanced Certificate programme.

Said Mr David Kwok, Managing Director of CG Protégé, “The six-month classroom and practical training programme does not teach students software techniques only. It teaches students to master traditional art skills, raises their awareness of commercial aesthetics, and equip them with necessary skills so that they can perform and deliver quality work for their employers.”

More than 60 participants have graduated from training at CG Protégé, with another 180 expected to be trained in the next three years. Some of the graduates are now working for both local and international animation and visual effects studios such as Lucasfilm Animation, Double Negative, Mikoishi Studios, Real U Singapore, Weta Productions, Big Communications, Lights and Shadow, Sparky Animation and ST Electronics (Digital Media).

Given the broad spectrum of sectors under the Creative Industries, WDA expects to establish more CET centres offering specialized and niche training in the arts & culture, media and communications, and design sub-sectors. Specifically for the area of digital media, WDA will be appointing more training providers to augment existing training capacity so that more Singaporeans can benefit from the training.

For more information on the Creative Industries Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ), please visit 

For more information on the Creative Industries Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Advanced Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) programme, please visit

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