The Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PSB Academy to support workers upgrade their knowledge and skills, by signing up for courses offered by the PSB Academy.

The new City Campus of PSB at Marina Square was also officially launched by the guest of honour, National Trades Union Congress secretary-general Chan Chun Sing. Fortifying its long-standing partnership with SISEU for over a decade, this MoU will offer support and scholarship assistance to about 100 workers over a three-year period.

SISEU will also provide guidance to the students on choosing a course, from the list of courses offered by the PSB. They can pursue part-time or full-time courses, from a one-year diploma to a full-fledged four-year degree.

Executive chairman of PSB Academy Viva Sinniah said: “PSB has always played an integral part in upgrading Singapore’s workforce. This fine tradition continues today… We are also collaborating with TCC, Singapore’s largest credit co-operative to provide interest-free education loans for our students.”

See: SkillsFuture Plans to Reach Out to More Singaporeans This Year

Ms Sylvia Choo, executive secretary of SISEU was quoted by The New Paper saying, while employers today understand the need for continuous learning and offer support to employees for upgrading knowledge and skills – by granting exam leave, offering scholarship support and even topping their SkillsFuture credit. Employees too have to be inertly motivated to grow.

Choo said, “Employees must take ownership of their own learning as well, by setting apart time to commit to such courses. It goes both ways, both the employers and the employees must take lifelong learning seriously.”

The academy also offers DJ facilities and laboratory for students to gain practical working experience, along with theoretical learning to enhance their careers. PSB Academy further invites experts to present informative sessions and address concerns of students.

Ms Choo later added, “There are currently pockets of mismatch between the skills offered by our workers and sectors that are growing. Skills upgrading and even career conversion are essential parts in bridging this mismatch and helping our workers stay relevant in this changing world.”

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