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

Singapore, 22 January 2021 - 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. Click on this link for more details.
2. Refer to Skills Framework for Social Service, Page 7. Click on this link for more details.

 __________________________________________________________________________


Singapore Pools (Private) Limited (www.singaporepools.com.sg)

Singapore Pools was established by the Singapore government on 23 May 1968 to provide safe and trusted betting to counter illegal gambling. As a not-for-profit organisation, all of Singapore Pools' surpluses are channeled to Tote Board to fund a wide range of causes in social service, community development, sports, arts, education and health sectors. Since 2004, over $5 billion have been channeled to Tote Board. In addition, Singapore Pools also contributes about $2 billion annually to the Government in the form of taxes and duties.

Its responsible gaming practices have been awarded the highest level of certification (Level 4) by the World Lottery Association's Responsible Gaming Framework.

Singapore Pools won the SkillsFuture Employer Award 2020 and the HRD Asia Employer of Choice Award 2020. It also received the ComChest SHARE Silver and Community Spirit Gold Awards 2020.

Singapore Pools Academy

Singapore Pools Academy is the human capital development unit of Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. It was formed in 2019 to institutionalise the learning capabilities and programmes developed by Singapore Pools over the years.

The Academy is built on Learning Organisation principles and anchored with Singapore Pools' pledge to serve the community through human capital development initiatives that enables the workforce purposefully for job opportunities in the digital future.

Singapore Pools is committed to uplift our community by availing our Academy's programmes and services to those who seek to acquire emerging skills that will place them to thrive in the new digital economy.

Singapore Polytechnic (www.sp.edu.sg)

Established in 1954, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is Singapore's first polytechnic. It has 10 schools that offer 30 full-time diploma courses and three common entry programmes for close to 14,000 students. SP adopts a proven creative teaching and learning framework and offers students a holistic, authentic and industry-relevant curriculum, innovative and vibrant learning spaces, and enriching overseas programmes.

The Polytechnic is committed to producing competent and versatile graduates who are also imbued with sound values, so that they can be work ready, life ready and world-ready. SP has more than 212,000 graduates and among them are successful entrepreneurs, top executives in multi-national and public-listed corporations, and well-known professionals across various industries and leaders in government.

SP clinched the inaugural ASEAN People's Award in 2015 for its contributions toward the region's community-building efforts. SP is also the first polytechnic to be awarded the President's Award for the Environment in 2010 and the President's Social Service Award in 2011.

Follow SP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/singaporepolytechnic and Twitter and Instagram at @singaporepoly

SkillsFuture Singapore

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) drives and coordinates the implementation of the national SkillsFuture movement, promotes a culture of lifelong learning and strengthens the ecosystem of quality education and training in Singapore. Through a holistic system of national SkillsFuture initiatives, SSG enables Singaporeans to take charge of their learning journey in their pursuit of skills mastery. SSG also works with key stakeholders to ensure that students and adults have access to high quality and industry-relevant training that meet the demands of different sectors of the economy for an innovative and productive workforce. For more information, visit www.ssg.gov.sg.

 __________________________________________________________________________


View PDF for Press Release

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Clarissa Ho
Manager, Corporate Communications
DID: 6216 8729
Email: Clarissaho@sgpoolz.com.sg

Mr Frank Chua
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications
DID: 6870 7043
Email: Frank_CHUA@sp.edu.sg

Sarah Lua
Senior Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communications
HP: 9625 8878
Email: sarah_lua@ssg.gov.sg