22/01/2021

Singapore Pools, Singapore Polytechnic And SkillsFuture Singapore Join Forces To Develop Talents In The Social Service Sector

New programme equips mid-career jobseekers with in-demand skills and provides industrial attachments in the social service sector

As part of the SGUnited Skills programme, Singapore Pools and Singapore Polytechnic (SP) are partnering SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to launch the SgPools Academy-SP Connexion Programme (Connexion) to equip mid-career jobseekers with in-demand skills for roles in the social service sector. 

With the aging population and other demographic changes, the social service sector is set to grow in strength to cater to the needs in our society. From approximately 6,000 social service professionals in 2006 to more than 15,000 today, the social service workforce is projected to grow to about 19,000 by 2025¹.

Connexion leverages the learning programmes developed and delivered by Singapore Polytechnic, as well as Singapore Pools’ know-how and experiences derived from its transformation journey, deep community service experiences and partnerships, to provide participants with industry relevant experience. 

Connexion comprises three full-time six-month long training courses:

1. Business Process Management

2. Business Analytics

3. Programme Management

These courses will train participants for roles in the social service sector as Business Process Specialist, Business Analyst, and Programme Executive. Participants can expect a robust curriculum based on learning organisation principles, enhanced with industry core and emerging skills such as service innovation, data analytics and visualisation, stakeholder and change management, as well as project management and social media marketing. 

Participants will also embark on a one to two month-long practicum which provides them with the opportunities to undertake an industry project either in-house or on attachment with a social service partner. These opportunities will empower participants to apply their newly acquired skills and increase their employability for job opportunities in the social service sector. 

Said Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Pools, “We are excited to launch the SgPools Academy-SP Connexion Programme with our partners to train tomorrow’s workforce with essential skills to thrive in the digital future. Over the last few years, Singapore Pools has amassed learnings and technology expertise through our own transformation journey. Through Singapore Pools Academy, we can now share our expertise to support Singapore’s talent development. This is an extension of Singapore Pools’ purpose to serve the community, and ‘Do Good Better’ together.”     

Mr Soh Wai Wah, Principal & CEO of Singapore Polytechnic, said, “This tripartite partnership with Singapore Pools and SkillsFuture Singapore will ensure that no displaced professionals are left behind as we upskill and expand their competencies to meet the evolving demands and talent needs of our national social service sector. By tapping on our expertise in training learners of all ages, Singapore Polytechnic is well-positioned to equip learners of all ages with the latest digital skillsets and knowledge to enrich their existing skillsets when they take on new emerging social service roles with ease and confidence.”

Chief Executive of SSG, Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in, said, “SkillsFuture Singapore appreciates Singapore Pools and Singapore Polytechnic coming forward to partner us in delivering this SGUnited Skills programme for the Social Service sector. This is an important initiative to upskill and reskill individuals to enter this growing sector of need for Singapore.”

Successful applicants will undergo six months of structured learning which includes project work and industry attachments with social service organisations. Eligible applicants can use their SkillsFuture Credits to pay for the net course fees. They will also receive $1,200 per month in training allowance throughout the duration of the programme. Applications for the programmes are now open and will close on 28 Feb 2021. More information on the SgPools Academy-SP Connexion Programme can be found on www.singaporepools.com.sg/academy

^1. Refer to Skills Framework for Social Service, Page 2 for more details.

^2. Refer to Skills Framework for Social Service, Page 7 for more details.