Date Published: 23 Apr 2006
- System certifies workers based on rigorous skills standards to professionalise the tourism workforce
- Companies get to grow their business with national workforce standards that are benchmarked against the world
A national qualifications system has been introduced in the tourism industry for the first time to transform the skills and careers of Singapore’s 150,000-strong tourism workforce, ahead of the setting up of the Integrated Resorts and in time to achieve Singapore’s Tourism 2015 vision of doubling visitor arrivals to 17 million plus tripling tourism receipts to $30 billion.
2. Called Tourism Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ), the system professionalises tourism occupations to ready the industry with a talent pool that will help it seize the growth opportunities to come. It was jointly developed by the tourism industry, led by President & CEO of Raffles Holdings Ms Jennie Chua, and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA).
3. Tourism WSQ certifies workers' for their competency, that is, his/her ability to do work (instead of academic achievements). A rigorous set of skills and competencies have been developed by the industry for each tourism occupation and for each level (operational, supervisory and managerial), and benchmarked against world standards. Altogether, the industry has set more than 140 competencies to cover a range of job functions across the tourism sectors of Hotel & Accommodation Services, Attractions, Travel & Tour Services, MICE (Meetings, Incentive Trips, Conventions and Exhibitions) & Events. Over 65 leading organisations in the tourism industry have lent their expertise to validate and endorse the competencies set in this system.
4. Tourism workers who are assessed to have the competencies, as set under Tourism WSQ, will receive national recognition for their skills. The qualifications are offered at the certificate, advanced certificate and diploma levels. Entry into the system is open with no academic pre-requisites, so more workers can benefit. This is particularly significant to the tourism industry as 70% of its workforce has secondary or less education. WDA acts as the national body to award the certificates.
5. For companies, Tourism WSQ:
Guides them on the skilling-up of staff, based on industry-developed competencies that can be packaged into training programmes. Such training programmes will adhere to principles of adult learning to make it easy for the adult worker such as through bite-size segments and incorporating flexible learning (e.g. On-Job-Training). Workers will be assessed at the end of the training programme to see if they have achieved the competencies. WDA has a rigorous accreditation system to maintain the quality of training and assessment.
6. Offers them a tool to groom talent through the system’s clear qualification and progression pathway, as well as recruit talent, based on Tourism WSQ qualifications. The system even allows workers to be put through for direct assessment to help them obtain certification without being required to go through training, which companies can use to recognise the skills of their long-serving staff.
7. For workers, Tourism WSQ:
Gives national recognition to their skills for their long-term employability
Puts in place a structured path for them to build a long-term career in the industry
Provides opportunities for workers in other industries to join the tourism industry as their skills gaps could be bridged
8. Overall, Tourism WSQ will help raise industry standards through a professional, productive and motivated workforce. With close to 70% more jobs expected to be generated in the industry by 2015, Tourism WSQ will also position the tourism industry as an employer of choice that offers solid career prospects for all workers to help the industry attract and retain talent.
About the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (www.wda.gov.sg)
9. The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). WDA leads and drives workforce development in Singapore. Its mission is to enhance the employability and competitiveness of employees and jobseekers, thereby building a workforce that meets the changing needs of Singapore’s economy. The agency works closely with industries to identify skills gaps, and develop continuing education and training (CET) programmes to address the manpower needs of the industries. WDA’s CET programmes place a strong focus on building competencies that are relevant to industries and will enhance employability. It works with training providers in developing curriculum and building up their capabilities and training standards. It promotes its programmes to industries as well as job seekers, and works with the unions and CDCs to help job seekers find jobs, and acquire the right skills for the jobs.
