Date Published: 05 Oct 2007
The second series of the WSQ roadshow this weekend at IMM will showcase various employability courses and courses for industries such as aerospace, tourism, F&B and retail.
1. A series of two roadshows has been organised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to showcase training opportunities available under the the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system. The first roadshow held at Parkway Parade last weekend had attracted more than 6,000 visitors. For those who have missed it, the next roadshow will be coming up this weekend, 6-7 October 2007 at IMM.
2. Themed “Are you Ready For Growth?”, the roadshows are part of this year’s Singapore Learning Festival which highlights the importance keeping one’s skills relevant. Visitors can find out how to gain relevant skills in sectors such as Retail, Tourism, Food and Beverage, Precision Engineering, Security and Aerospace, and acquiring workplace foundational skills under the Employability Skills System, such as workplace literacy, numeracy and soft skills. Information on the WSQ courses are available for browsing and the training providers are on-site to provide consultation for those interested to register for the courses.
3. An example of the courses available is the WSQ Diploma in Retail Management under Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS). Sally Koh is one of the graduands of the course. “The WSQ Diploma in Retail Management course provided me with a better understanding of the rationales of decisions being undertaken by colleagues from other cross-functional department. The course modules like finance budgeting, planning for events/promotion was relevant to the actual work environment,” she says of her WSQ training. She added, “The training also helped me develop a keen sense of teamwork with my colleagues.” After garnering her WSQ Diploma, she was referred to a job interview Estee Lauder Cosmetics through the SIRS career center and is now working with Estee Lauder as Regional Merchandising Executive.
4. Joe Kok is another worker who had benefited from a WSQ course. He started working at a young age to help his uncle in his business, and later moved into sales. Through his work experience, he realised that he had a keen interest in handling customer queries and gains satisfaction when he manages to provide them with the information required. Joe’s interest later took him to sign up for the WSQ Certificate in Hotels and Accommodation Services (Front Office/ Guest Services) with Raffles Knowledge Pte Ltd, and he is now enjoying his work at the Front Office of Grand Central Hotel.
5. The WSQ Diploma in Retail Management and WSQ Certificate in Hotels and Accommodation Services are two of the courses that will be available at the roadshow. There will be a total of 17 booths set-up by various WSQ training providers offering a range of about 40 courses. (Please refer to Annex for list of training providers and courses available at the roadshow.)
