Volunteering: A Stepping Stone to a Good Career

By this time, you may already know how to claim SkillsFuture credit. Perhaps you have even utilised your $500 of credit in courses that you hope will help you get that ITE scholarship in Singapore. But, being a scholar is not just about getting excellent grades. In fact, if you want to improve your chances of winning that scholarship, you need to be able to demonstrate your civic-mindedness to potential scholarship providers as well.

Here are the reasons why you should volunteer for Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs)...

1) Develop new skills and gain experience

Immersing yourself as a volunteer in a variety of causes or projects will enable you to develop new skills as well as allow you to utilise the skills that you have learned in school on a real time basis. It will give you a greater awareness and understanding of the many issues that these organisations face. With greater awareness, you will be able to put your analytical skills to the test so that you will gain experience in problem solving.

Remember that scholarship providers will ask you about the skills you have developed and how you were able to use them to come up with solutions in the organisation you volunteered for. So it is advisable to volunteer in causes that the scholarship provider contributes to.

2) Meet and form relationships with people

As a volunteer, you will be able to meet new people of various characters and temperament. You will learn to adapt to different types of personalities. For those people you do get along with, you can forge relationships with them so that you ultimately build up a network of contacts who might be able to help you in your future career. This is very important for scholarship providers who want to ensure that their workplace will remain a harmonious one.

3) Builds your character

Volunteerism has a way of building character. It enables you to develop moral principles especially if the organisation is involved in a cause that you strongly believe in. It also provides you with feelings of empowerment and upliftment, so that you are more confident to face even greater challenges. In addition, it helps to develop in you that sense of responsibility and commitment, enabling you to work more efficiently and meet tight deadlines. Great work ethics will give you higher chance of getting that scholarship.

4) Provides you with a greater advantage over your peers

Being a volunteer gives you a distinct advantage over your peers because you tend to stand out more, based on your work experiences, network connections, and character. It also demonstrates your sense of empathy, which scholarship providers look for in their scholars.

How to Learn Skills that are Outside the Scope of Your Scholarship

Image credit: iefa.org

There are some graduates who will ultimately face this dilemma – that certain skills that they want to learn are not within the scope of their scholarship. It could be that these skills are also necessary in the career they are pursuing. Others want to learn new skills which may be of use to them in the workplace. Some need to learn skills for jobs outside of the workplace so that they could augment their income.

If you happen to be one of these individuals with this dilemma, here are some tips that will help you to learn skills that are outside your scholarship’s scope...

1) Be observant in the workplace

During your internship or on the job training, be observant of the tasks that are frequently being assigned not only to you, but to the other full time employees as well. It will give you an idea not only about the required core skills; you will also discover other skills that might be needed in the workplace. For example, if the organisation creates visuals to showcase their products but hire expensive photographers, you might want to consider honing your photography skills.

2) Consider updating yourself tech-wise

Practically every company and organisation has a solid tech base. If you only know the basics of the various programs that are being used in the company, now is the time for to you do in-depth tech studies and update yourself on these software’s latest features. Although you are still on a scholarship, the company may be enticed to hire you full time if they see that you are taking the initiative to update yourself on tech.

3) Don't forget SkillsFuture

If you haven’t visited your account yet, now is the time to learn how to claim SkillsFuture credit. The SkillsFuture programme offers more than 10,000 courses on various skills. Apply for a course and earn a part time diploma for new skills that you have learned.

4) Satisfy your need for personal satisfaction

It should be emphasised that if you want to learn new skills, don’t do it for the sake of the company or organisation you want to work for. Study because you want to satisfy your personal goals, not to mention your self-interests. Using our example earlier, aside from upgrading your photography skills, you can proceed to your dream of studying filmmaking. In another example, most companies are satisfied that you know English and/or Chinese. If you love to learn languages, you can study others like Bahasa Malay, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. Being fluent in other languages is considered a plus among many organisations.

Is It Possible to Work and Study at the Same Time?

For those people who want to undertake full-time study in Singapore has over 10,000 part time and full time courses to choose from in their SkillsFuture programme. Thousands of individuals have used their SkillsFuture credit of $500 to be able to enrol in courses that would further their skills or enable them to develop new ones which they can use at work.

However, there are certain courses which are just too good to be passed up. The problem is these SkillsFuture approved courses are require full time attendance in a classroom setting. When faced with such a course which you know will be a huge benefit to your career, you find yourself asking the question “Is it possible to work and study full time?”

You’ll be surprised that the answer is YES! But it will entail a lot of changes and sacrifices in your life.

Let’s take a look on how you can juggle both full time study and full time work at the same time...

1) Assess your current circumstances in your workplace.

It is very important that you do a complete assessment of your work circumstances at present. Do you have a fixed schedule which requires you to be in the office for 8 to 10 hours straight? Are there times when work and projects pile up which would necessitate your full attention? If you are running a work schedule as tight as this, part time courses would be a better option for you.

On the other hand, if your workplace runs on flexitime and/or you can work from home, you may be able to study full time.

2) Take note of your position in your workplace.

Have you been recently hired or have yet to complete 1 to 2 years in your workplace? Have you been working for your company for a good number of years? Does your boss rely heavily on your expertise? Do you feel that your position is secure that taking an extended leave for full time study will be granted by your employer? If you are newly hired and/or feel you haven’t gained enough work hours, it would be better to take a part time course instead.

If your position in the company is secure and you know that doing full time study will be to your workplace’s benefit, it is recommended that you discuss the matter with your boss about your intentions. Especially if your boss sees that he will benefit from what you learn, he may permit a flexible time for your studies or, better yet, have the company cover partially or in full your course expenses.

3) Assess your personal circumstances.

Evaluate your personal life. If you are also juggling a busy family life, part time courses would be the better option. The same also applies if you are not healthy and prone to illness when stressed.

If your family is secure and you have enough savings for their needs, and you are physically fit, you can undertake full time studies.

What is SkillsFuture Study Awards: What You Need to Know

Source: vulcanpost.com

By this time, everyone already knows how to claim their SkillsFuture Credit. But a recent headline in The Straits Times on the SkillsFuture Study Awards has generated a lot of interest among people who want to jumpstart their career with part-time diploma courses in Singapore.

What is the SkillsFuture Study Awards?

The SkillsFuture Study Awards is one of the sub-programmes in the SkillsFuture initiative. Much like the main programme, the awards goal is to enable Singaporeans to develop and, particularly, deepen specialist skills in various competencies.

The keyword here is "SPECIALIST". Because specialist training is more advanced and definitely more expensive, the award aims to give Singaporeans who are in their early to mid-career states an additional monetary award of $5,000 as defrayment for out-of-pocket expenses in the courses that they are taking. This amount can even be used in courses with government subsidies.

Who Are Eligible to Apply for the SkillsFuture Study Awards?

Unlike the SkillsFuture Credit which is for all Singaporeans, the SkillsFuture Study Awards targets very specific sectors. If you happen to be working in the sectors listed below, you can download the application forms via the links below:

• Accountancy Sector | Singapore Accountancy Commission (SAC)
• Air Transport Sector | Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
• Built Environment Sector | Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Design Sector | DesignSingapore Council (Dsg)
• Disability Employment Professionals | SG Enable (SGE)
• Early Childhood Sector | Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)
• Financial Sector | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
• Food Services Sector | SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Healthcare Sector | Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Infocomm Technology Sector | Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
• International Business | International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore)
• Land Transport Sector | Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• Logistics Sector | Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Maritime Sector | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
• Media Sector | Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

• Persons with Disabilities | SG Enable (SGE)
• Power Sector | Energy Market Authority (EMA)
• Precision Engineering Sector | Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Private Security Sector | Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Retail Sector | SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Social Service Sector | National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

Just this October 2016, the Singapore Tourism Board announced the launching of the SkillsFuture Study Awards for the Tourism Sector, which includes the following:

• Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) Sector | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
• Tourist Guide Sector | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
• Travel Agent Sector | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)

Since October 2015, over 500 study awards were given to eligible individuals. It is the initiative’s goal to give 2,000 awards in the near future.

Seize the opportunity to apply for the SkillsFuture Study Awards. It’s HUGE savings for getting an invaluable education!

Economic Downturn? Earn Your Part Time Diploma Now!

Last February, the Vulcan Post published an article on the looming economic downturn in Singapore this year 2016. This proved to be bad news for job seekers and employees alike because not only are companies limiting the number of applicants they accept for permanent positions, they are also laying off people in order to cut costs.

Causes of Economic Downturns

Economic downturns are caused by a number of factors. In the case of Singapore, the nation slipped into recession as early as 2008 because of the U.S. banking crisis. Although a S$20.5 billion Resilience Package was released by the Singaporean government to enable businesses and employees to cope with the recession, economic growth continues to be slow because of the volatile global economy. Early this year alone, major companies such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, RWS, Rakuten, and Maersk have laid off employees and have instituted cost cutting measures.

If you are one of those unlucky employees who have been laid off or if you are a job seeker and are unable to find employment, it is possible that the main reason for this is that you lack the skills that the company needs. In this regard, it is necessary that you earn your part-time diploma now! You may visit brightfuture.sg website for more details.

Acquiring a Part Time Diploma Through SkillsFuture Credit

If you are caught in the middle of an economic downturn, this is not the time for you to be depressed and worry about the future. Instead, you should consider getting training for skills that you lack or further develop those skills that you already possess. This is where SkillsFuture Credit comes in.

SkillsFuture Credit has over 10,000 full time and part time diploma courses that will help you to gain the skills training you need for your chosen profession. If you have been laid off, determine which skills your retained co-workers possessed and apply for courses that will help you develop these same skills. For example, if you had been a low ranking company manager, BrightFuture.sg offers a number of business management courses, including one on Business & Information Management especially if you are not updated on the latest technologies.

SkillsFuture also offers courses on cooking, digital art and animation, and many others. If you have a favourite hobby, take a course on it so that you can turn it into a profitable venture.

Job seekers should also apply for courses so that you will gain the skills that will give you that “hire-appeal” for prospective employers.

As for those who have been retained in their current jobs, it does not mean that your employment is secure. If you have not upgraded your skills in years, you may still find yourself among the terminated in the future. Taking part time courses will give your skills that much needed level up that will enable you to keep your job.

Is Part-Time Study Enough?

Singapore has just recently launched its SkillsFuture programme. This allows Singaporeans that are aged 25 and above - or basically in their ripe professional years - to take new courses and expand their skill sets. This is through taking full-time courses or part time studies in Singapore.

This allows them to improve on their current job, or look for opportunities in other fields. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has established a series of roadshows to demonstrate the wonders that is lifelong learning and the potential of SkillsFuture.

Singaporeans that are either new to the job market, someone who wants to get back to work, or a retiree looking for extra sources of income may finally avail the credits and embark on a new journey to learn.

However, some wonder about the true effectiveness of part-time learning and the SkillsFuture programme as a whole.

The entire S$1-billion programme rests on the objective of ensuring Singaporeans are always ready to take on the heavy responsibility of lifelong learning. This strengthens the workplace and provides more opportunities for Singapore's workforce to be powered by professionals.

The Online Citizen quote the Strait Times in saying that the SkillsFuture scheme will allow more to finally get the nudge to explore careers they want to try out.

Others are encouraged to try new courses due to the volatility of the market. After all, if anything happens to a primary job, it is always better to find something to fall back on.

The Online Citizen said that for instance a person has always wanted to be a web designer and wants to start a career as one. He takes a SkillsFuture credit course that only takes up a few days to complete.

Regardless of whether or not he completes the course, there are a ton of other requirements before being able to land a job. There are also other instructions under the law that have to be followed.

What is sad is that a lot of people do not get to study courses they want because institutions "postpone" the course due to the lack of participants.

Even if the said candidate finishes the course, the Jobs Bank mandates employers who want to recruit foreigners to advertise the job on Singaporeans first, and there is no guarantee that Singaporeans will be hired first. This means foreigners who have just become citizens have no guarantee that the SkillsFuture programme will help them either.

If this continues, a person that was previously inspired may simply give up. This means Singapore will have to check more measures to ensure institutions are ready to hand out courses that can be taught to few people.

Part-Time Education In Singapore: How it Works For Foreigners

SkillsFuture is a movement that seeks to help Singaporeans access opportunities to develop new skills, regardless of their status. This is part of Singapore's campaign towards a more productive economy.

SkillsFuture can help Singaporeans aged 25 and above access training. More than two million 25 years and above Singaporeans were given S$500 each in credit to pay for courses they want to pursue. The government will also provide extra credits periodically.

This might also be the reason why foreigners are also very much interested in studying for part time diploma courses in Singapore. For instance, its affordable education and international qualifications has earned it a favorable spot amongst Indians.

Its expenses are reasonable versus other countries such as the United States, and students can easily get part-time work to earn for their expenses. This means Singapore has a budding multicultural workforce that is already providing significant experience for them.

However, here are some things the prospective foreign student should know before studying in Singapore.

Full-time international students that are pursuing degrees in Singapore can work part-time for 16 hours a week maximum. They can only work full-time during vacation. While these students don't need to apply for permission (they can get this from the Ministry of Manpower), they should if their working hours exceed the limit. Regardless, they are only eligible for the work rights if they are studying in any of the institutions that are under the Ministry of Manpower.

This also means the student's pass they will obtain before entering will be good for use until they finish their course.

Regardless, most of Singaporean educational institutions also offer internships as part of their studies. These internships are normally tied up with corporations to help students get the necessary skills they need, and are at most times absorbed by these companies.

This means students have to apply for an employment pass, a work permit, or a service pass. This is based on a lot of factors such as skills, qualifications and experience.

International students can also apply for an employment pass eligibility certificate in order to allow them to stay in-country for up to a year to search for jobs. Successful applicants must apply for a one-year visit pass from the immigration authority as well for them to stay inside the country, and an employment pass once they are hired.

These may look like confusing regulations, but Singapore is very strict with its policies. Either way, if you are a foreign student, you are also sure that you are in good hands when you study in Singapore.