Speech at Graduation Ceremony of Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS)
Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Nanyang Polytechnic Main Auditorium
Mr Chan Lee Mun,
Principal & CEO, Nanyang Polytechnic
Mr Goh Eng Ghee,
Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
Mr Seshamani,
Director, Singapore Institute of Retail Studies
Members of the SIRS Joint Committee
Distinguished guests, graduands and families
Ladies and gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
1. I am pleased to join you this morning at the first graduation ceremony of the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies.
2. Today, 269 of you will receive your Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Diplomas. My heartiest congratulations to each one of you on your achievements, especially as many of you had to balance both work and family commitments during your studies.
EMPLOYMENT GROWTH IN RETAIL SECTOR
3. The retail sector is a fast growing industry that offers many opportunities for our workers. In 2006, the wholesale and retail trade industry grew by 10.3% compared to the previous year, and employed more than 350,000 workers. In the first 3 quarters of 2007, the industry added 13,400 jobs. Some of the jobs high in demand in the retail sector include sales and marketing executives, customer service executives, sales supervisors and shop sales assistants.
4. The retail sector should expand over the next few years in tandem with the growing tourism industry. Our aim is to build a stronger and more vibrant retail sector that offers innovative products and excellent service. This means investing not only in products and infrastructure, but also in the quality of our retail professionals. Today's graduands have been trained under the industry-based, WSQ competency framework, which is a nationally recognised system aimed at skilling, re-skilling and professionalising the workforce.
SIRS' INITIATIVES AND SUCCESS FACTORS FOR CET INSTITUTES
5. SIRS was started in January 2006 as a collaborative effort between the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Nanyang Polytechnic. It is the first national Continuing Education and Training (CET) institute and a lead provider of Retail WSQ training. To date, SIRS has trained about 10,000 individuals and provided over 17,000 training places. SIRS also plans to deliver over 11,000 training places this year, and has lined up other new initiatives to add value to the retail workforce.
6. CET Institutes like SIRS play an important role in providing quality training to develop our workforce and create opportunities for workers to upgrade, stay employable and advance in their careers. This will help Singapore develop a well-trained and professional retail workforce that strengthens our competitive edge as we seek to differentiate our retail offerings from regional competition.
7. The success of a CET institution hinges on five key factors. First, CET Institutes must leverage on adult learning methods. We have designed WSQ training such that it is conducted in a flexible and modular format suited to the needs of working adults. Experienced workers can also undergo direct assessment, without the need for training.
8. Second, CET programmes must be accessible and open to all, including employers, individual workers and the unemployed. In 2006, SIRS opened its WSQ programmes to the public. Since then, some 140 adults have enrolled themselves in the programme and attained full WSQ certifications.
9. Third, the programmes and qualifications offered by CET Institutes must be accepted by the industry. I am heartened to note that more employers in the retail industry are recognising the value of WSQ training and sponsoring their employees to attend such courses. Today's graduands who are receiving their certificates come from a wide range of companies such as Metro, NTUC Fair Price, Royal Sporting House and OSIM, just to name a few.
10. Fourth, there must be effective outreach. Recently, SIRS initiated a unique 'SIRS Comes to Malls' project to reach out to SME retailers. The tenants will undergo training under the 'Provide GEMS Service' programme to enhance their service skills and create a memorable shopping experience for shoppers. This is a commendable effort by SIRS.
11. Finally, to help workers acquire higher skills and find better jobs with good prospects and pay, CET Institutes can offer career services. SIRS has initiated a Career Centre to assist individuals who are seeking careers in the retail industry. The Career Centre is a "one-stop service centre" where jobseekers can find various assistance, from career counselling and advice on relevant training to job placement after training. The Career Centre also works closely with various Community Development Councils (CDCs) to assist unemployed adults in seeking jobs in the retail industry.
12. These services have helped SIRS graduands upgrade their skills and move up in their careers. Ms Sally Koh is one graduand who has benefited from SIRS' accessible and flexible training programmes. Prior to enrolling for a SIRS course, her highest academic qualification was the GCE 'O' Levels and she worked as an executive in a chain store, earning $2,000 a month. In Nov 2006, she started her Diploma in Retail Management course with SIRS and approached the SIRS Career Centre for job placement assistance in May 2007. Just a month later, she was referred to Estee Lauder Cosmetics and offered the position of Regional Merchandising Executive. It is a bigger job, with better pay. This is the value SIRS can bring to workers.
13. SIRS has also been successful in bringing economically inactive and unemployed individuals back to the labour force. For example, 46-year-old Ms Celia Goh has worked for a jewellery retailer for almost 20 years since 1981. Due to family commitments, she stopped working in 2000. With a desire to work, she approached SIRS Career Centre for assistance in May last year. After a career counseling session, she enrolled in the SIRS WSQ Advanced Certificate Programme and subsequently found a job as an indoor counter salesperson. Celia is currently planning to pursue a Diploma in Retail Management with SIRS on a part-time basis. I wish Sally and Celia all the best.
CONCLUSION
14. The retail industry will continue to be a key component in our economy. Training providers and CET institutes like SIRS has an important role to play in professionalising and developing the capabilities of our workforce. As the number of trained retail professionals in our workforce increases, our retail standards must also be raised to a new level and this will have a significant and positive impact on the industry. On that note, I would like to congratulate SIRS and all the graduands on your achievements and I wish you all the best.
15. Thank you.