Singapore’s Republic Polytechnic (RP) has launched a first-of-its-kind Talent Advancement program that provides School of Hospitality (SOH) students with a structured pathway enriched with education and career guidance in a hands-on setting.・The program (TAP) has started. Training and leadership development modules.
The structured TAP was developed in collaboration with 16 industry partners across the events, financial services and hospitality sectors. These include Accor Asia Pacific. Capella Hotel, Singapore; Constella Holdings. DHL Supply Chain Singapore; Hilton Singapore; InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG); Koeln Messe. Les Amis Group; Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Marina Bay Sands; Marriott International. Nowcoms Asia. Overseas Chinese Bank Ltd; OUE Restaurant; Resorts World Sentosa; and United Overseas Bank.
The TAP pilot aims to recruit 100 students who wish to pursue employment in related industries after graduation. The first group of SOH students will undergo the work immersion program in the 2024 academic year.
Full-time students engage regularly with industry partners and career counselors through talks and events during the year following graduation. After passing the TAP in the second year, students receive support from a company-appointed mentor. Mentorship begins before a student commits to work in earnest in her second year. This work immersion ranges from part-time roles on weekends to full-time roles during term breaks. Mentorship continues during her 40-week structured internship during the student’s final year.
A key aspect of TAP is co-developing a training blueprint with industry partners that outlines key milestones and competencies. The student rotates through two to three of her roles within the company and participates in leadership development workshops aimed at developing the mindset and skills needed to lead teams and colleagues within the industry.
SOH graduates may receive offers of non-guaranteed, full-time employment in higher positions with up to 10% additional compensation from the companies they intern with. The initiative aims to ensure competitive remuneration for graduates and strengthen the talent pipeline for the post-lockdown surge.
Jeanne Liu, principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic, said: “The hospitality sector is a high-contact service industry and we are interested in collaborating with our esteemed partners to leverage the polytechnic’s strengths in hospitality and reimagine a vibrant learning ecosystem. ” positioning Singapore as an exciting tourism hub. (TAP) aims to equip students with both hard and soft skills to stay ahead of the curve. ”