12/01/2019

Launch of Skills Framework For Social Service At Social Service Institute Graduation & Awards Ceremony 2019

Skills Framework for Social Service guides new entrants and in-service professionals to make informed decisions on career choices and skills upgrading

The Skills Framework for Social Service was launched at the annual Social Service Institute (SSI) Graduation & Awards Ceremony, during which certificates, diplomas, scholarships and awards were presented to 219 entry level and mid-career professionals, sector leaders and domain experts. 

Launched by Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Foreign Affairs, Mr Sam Tan, the Skills Framework for Social Service is a key initiative in government’s efforts to enhance career and professional development pathways. The framework provides key information on the sector, career pathways, occupation/job roles, as well as existing and emerging skills and competencies required. It has identified five career tracks – social work, youth work, psychology, early intervention teaching, and care and programme – covering 60 job roles. These career tracks enable professionals to better plan their career progression. The framework also outlines emerging trends in the social service sector that include demand for more integrated service delivery, technology disruptions, shifting demographics, and increased use of data and research.

The Skills Framework for Social Service is jointly developed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), National Council of Social Service (NCSS), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG), in partnership with employers, industry associations, education and training providers and sector professionals. 

Minister of State Mr Sam Tan, said, “The framework will help individuals and employers in our sector identify key skills and competencies necessary to stay future-ready and well-equipped to better help those in need.” 

Chief Executive of SSG, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said, “The Skills Framework for Social Service enables existing professionals and new entrants to easily identify the skills required and the relevant training programmes to build these skills. It also provides important information for the students graduating today to help them better understand the sector, as well as the skills and competencies required for the various job roles. This will guide them in planning their careers and skills development.”

The Skills Framework for Social Service will benefit social service professionals in the sector, including new graduands from SSI.  Among this year’s graduands are 50 recipients of the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Advanced Certificate in Social Service (ACSS) and the SSI Diploma in Social Service (DSS) who will join the sector as social service assistants. There are another 61 graduates of the WSQ Diploma in Social Service programme, who will contribute to the sector as social work associates. All these certifications are nationally recognised. For example, graduands of the WSQ Diploma will gain exemptions from modules under the Bachelor of Social Work offered by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). 

Awards and scholarships given out at the graduation ceremony include the Social Service Award (SSA), Singapore Industry Scholarship (SGIS) and the Social Service Scholarship (SSS). Recipients will pursue either Bachelor or Master degrees at various tertiary institutions that include the National University of Singapore, National Institute of Education, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore Management University. 

Graduands, awards and scholarship recipients will form part of the Social Service Tribe, a community of like-minded individuals in the sector who share a vision of empowering everyone to live with dignity. They work together to drive positive change for the vulnerable in our community. 

NCSS Chief Executive, Mr Sim Gim Guan said: “It is important that we continually build our capabilities and equip ourselves so that we remain relevant and effective in our work. SSI, together with MSF, government partners and other industry stakeholders, will continue to support skills development and increase training opportunities for social service professionals. The newly launched Skills Framework for Social Service will be a useful resource for social service professionals in planning and growing their careers.”