Singapore, 7 November 2024 - The SHATEC Mentoring Programme, now in its 17th cycle, proudly celebrated a decade of mentorship that has significantly shaped the futures of the next generation of hospitality leaders.
On 30 October 2024, 76 students from our culinary, pastry, and hotel programmes gathered at Pan Pacific Singapore to participate in an engaging mentoring initiative, partnering with 48 experienced professionals from their respective fields. The mentor-mentee pairings were carefully made to align each student’s career goals and interests with the mentor’s expertise and background.
The co-chairpersons of the SHATEC Mentor Advisory Council, Ms Wee Wei Ling and Mrs Diana Ee Tan, extended a warm welcome to attendees, reflecting on the programme’s significant contributions to the professional development of students within the hospitality sector. Mrs Diana recalled the programme’s inception, highlighting its crucial role in offering guidance to students. “When we first launched this initiative, our aim was to provide essential support as students navigated their educational and career paths. The guidance of a trusted mentor has proven invaluable in helping them overcome the challenges encountered along the way,” she remarked. Over the past decade, the programme has benefited 680 students, connecting them with seasoned mentors who offer a wealth of expertise.
The event highlight featured inspiring speeches from notable alumni, including Chef Jay Teo, who graduated from SHATEC in 2013. Chef Jay described his transformative journey from engineering to culinary arts, crediting his success to the guidance of his mentors. He urged current students to embrace their initial job experiences as pivotal steps in discovering their true passions, stating, “Taking that first step is essential to finding where you belong in this industry.”
Mr Kung Teong Wah, another distinguished alumnus, likened mentorship to a guiding lighthouse that helps steer individuals in the right direction. He shared valuable insights gained throughout his mentorship experience, highlighting the importance of branding, adaptability, and genuine engagement in the hospitality sector. “While the path may be challenging, the rewards of working in this industry such as connecting with guests and creating memorable experiences are truly fulfilling,” he noted.
The SHATEC Mentoring Programme is designed to provide students with expert advice, guidance, and valuable insights into business practices from professionals in the hospitality industry. This 12-month programme primarily focuses on career development through a one-on-one mentoring approach, giving students the chance to learn directly from their mentors.
To ensure mentees are making progress, they are required to complete mid-term and final mentorship reflections. This helps track their development and set new goals for what they hope to achieve after the programme ends, offering a summary of their learning experience.
Besides equipping students with practical skills and industry knowledge, the mentoring programme has also strengthened the hospitality workforce in Singapore, ensuring its competitiveness on a global scale. The programme has inspired other institutions to adopt similar mentorship initiatives, demonstrating SHATEC far-reaching impact – evidenced by Singapore Polytechnic’s recent announcement to introduce mentorship initiatives for their students over the next three years.
As the Mentoring @ SHATEC event wrapped up, SHATEC CEO Mr Lim Boon Kwee delivered an inspiring message to the audience; “Education is a lifelong journey. As you embark on your professional paths, remember that SHATEC will always be a part of your life. Our commitment to your growth doesn’t end with graduation; we’re here to support you at every stage, offering further education opportunities like our Higher Diploma programme, professional development courses, and networking within our extensive alumni community.”
Mentorship is far more than a single lesson. It’s a dynamic, evolving partnership where both mentor and mentee grow together, constantly learning from one another. At SHATEC, this journey of growth knows no boundaries. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to unlock your fullest potential, nurturing both your skills and your wisdom every step of the way.
About SHATEC
SHATEC was set up in 1983 by the Singapore Hotel Association to equip Singapore’s hospitality industry with a skilled workforce. Since then, SHATEC has distinguished itself as arguably Singapore’s most recognised hospitality management school with many of its 40,000 strong alumni in more than 20 countries helming key positions in the hospitality and tourism industry.
It is a strong advocate of creative teaching methods. Lessons and programmes at SHATEC are further enhanced by exposing learners to experiential learning that is as close to a working environment as possible. Students also reap the benefit of interacting with local and international instructors and guest speakers who eagerly share a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields and impart important people-to-people skills gleaned from experience.
Besides nurturing young minds and talents, SHATEC is also a key player in preparing career switchers and mature workers to join the hospitality industry. As the industry school, it offers a myriad of programmes and workshops to upskill practitioners in the hospitality industry.
Learners looking to upskill or discover their passion, SHATEC Orchard offers an exciting repertoire of short courses in both professional and lifestyle programs. Our Professional Series is thoughtfully designed to equip learners with the expertise and competencies to excel in your hospitality and/or food services industry careers, fostering a strong sense of confidence and competence.
For those with a passion for lifestyle learning, we offer a diverse range of courses, from the art of cooking and baking to the sophistication of wine appreciation and more, our Lifestyle Series provides you with the opportunity to turn those dreams into lifelong skills through Reimagined Authentic Learning.
Discover your REAL passion with SHATEC Orchard today!
For more information on SHATEC Orchard, visit our website here.