Tourism Transformation - Career Fair Showcases Emerging Jobs And Career Pathways In The Tourism Sector

Singapore, 31 October 2018 – With international tourist arrivals forecasted to hit 18.1 million, and tourism receipts expected to reach S$27.6 billion this year, job opportunities in the Attractions, MICE and Tour & Travel will continue to grow and evolve. At the same time, these new opportunities are being impacted by technological disruptions. Tourism professionals and anyone aspiring to a career in tourism, have to acquire new skill sets and deepen their knowledge to meet these changing needs.

Temasek Polytechnic (TP), which leads the Tourism Sector-Co-ordination team (SCT), today launched the inaugural Joint Poly-ITE Tourism Career Fair 2018. The event, “Tourism Transformation”, raised tourism job profiles and encouraged students to pursue tourism sector careers, as well as served as a platform for tourism partners to showcase career progression pathways and engage potential talents.

In line with the theme for the career fair, the Skills Framework for Tourism was unveiled to support the manpower strategies, highlighting pivotal jobs and critical skills needed in the Tourism sector. It provides information on the sector, career pathways, identifies 109 existing and emerging skills and competencies across 69 occupations/job roles, as well as training programmes which support the development of these skills. Emerging skills needed include those in areas such as data analytics and big data, digitalisation of business operations, and curation of a bespoke customer experience.

The Skills Framework for Tourism is jointly developed by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), Workforce Singapore (WSG), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), together with employers, industry associations, union, and education and training providers. Refer to Annex A for more info on the Skills Framework for Tourism.

Some 600 students from the polytechnics and ITE Colleges attended the career fair, which enabled students to gain valuable insights from participating industry partners and better appreciate the exciting careers in this sector.  Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower, was the Guest-of-Honour for the event. 

Mrs Lai-Low Sock Cheng, Director, Temasek Polytechnic School of Business, the lead institution for the SCT, comprising the polytechnics and ITE said, “This inaugural Tourism Career Fair focuses on emerging skills required to deal with these technological disruptions. Backed by robust participation from more than 20 industry partners, the event provides students the opportunity to explore career options and highlights the importance of matching job expectations with job preparedness so as to thrive in the tourism industry.”

In addition to career booths by industry partners such as Wildlife Reserves Singapore, PICO and Chan Brothers Travel, there were also pop-up talks covering innovation journeys and career prospects, as well as sharing sessions given by graduates who have taken up the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme (ELP) offered by the polytechnics.

Adapt and Grow programmes and Virtual Career Fair

Participants at today’s event were also introduced to WSG’s suite of Adapt and Grow programmes, which can help to kick-start the career journeys of fresh entrants looking to enter the workforce. These programmes include Career Trial, which enables employers and candidates to assess the job fit through a short work stint; as well as Career Matching Services, through which they can get professional career guidance and tips on how to write resumes and do well in interviews.

WSG launched a one month-long Adapt and Grow Virtual Career Fair today, where jobseekers interested in joining the Tourism industry can access more than 650 job vacancies from more than 30 employers. They will be able to interact with the employers virtually, and get more insights on the various job positions in the tourism sector, such as estimated salary, job requirements, possible progression pathways and expected working conditions. Refer to Annex B for more info on the Virtual Career Fair.

ELP Courses for the Tourism Sector

In April 2018, two new ELP courses were launched for the sector, for polytechnic and ITE graduates. The 12-month Specialist Diploma in MICE & Events Management, run by TP, was supported by employers such as Marina Bay Sands, and The Meeting Lab.

NYP launched the ELP leading to a Diploma in Business Practice (Hospitality & Tourism), targeting fresh ITE graduates who wish to get a head start in career and relevant work experience valued by the Tourism industry. The 18-month programme comprises three Modular Certificates and 540 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) conducted at participating companies. Refer to Annex C for more info on the graduate success stories.

Annex A - Factsheet On Skills Framework For Tourism

Annex B - Factsheet On Adapt & Grow Virtual Career Fair For New Entrants

Annex C - Profiles Of Earn And Learn Programme (ELP) Participants

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