The SHATEC-SAFRA Sponsorship Programme empowers professional development toward fulfilling hospitality careers.
MOU Signing to mark the launch of a 3-year partnership between SHATEC and SAFRA. Pictured in the front row (Left to Right): Mr Lim Boon Kwee, CEO, SHATEC and Mr Edward Leong, CEO, SAFRA.
Pictured in the back row (Left to Right): Mr Isaac Joshua, Director, Academic & Student Development, SHATEC; Ms Calicia Lim, Assistant Director, College for Lifelong Aspirations and Skills (CLASS @SHATEC); Mr Phua Boon Pu, Senior Manager, Student Administration, SHATEC; Mr Sean Yeo, Assistant Director, Student Enrolment & Business Development, SHATEC; Mr Donald Tan, Deputy CEO, Business Strategies, SAFRA; Ms Lim Mei Mei, Chairperson, Education Committee, SAFRA; Mr Tommy Ang, Director, Membership Services, SAFRA; Ms Juana Tan, Senior Manager, Membership Benefits, SAFRA; Ms Elaine Ong, Senior Executive, Membership Benefits, SAFRA.
Singapore, 20 June 2023 – SHATEC and SAFRA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 16 June 2023 to officially launch the SHATEC-SAFRA Sponsorship Programme, which aims to provide integrated educational opportunities for SAFRA members and support them in their journey towards careers and employment in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The joint sponsorship programme between SHATEC and SAFRA incentivises SAFRA members to study a hospitality course under an 18-month bond-free sponsorship and, subsequently, pursue their career of choice. Offered as an enhancement to existing SHATEC and industry scholarship schemes, the hospitality and tourism institute has designated at least 15 places within a calendar year for SAFRA member applicants.
Qualified and successful SAFRA members can undertake either Apprenticeship Diploma Courses or Full-Time Diploma Courses in any of the following specialisation tracks:
- WSQ Diploma in Hotel and Accommodation Services
- WSQ Diploma in Tourism (Event Management and Operations)
- WSQ Diploma in Food Services (Culinary Arts)
- WSQ Diploma in Food Services (Pastry and Baking)
The SHATEC-SAFRA Sponsorship Programme offers competitive incentives in terms of financial support and prestige to the SAFRA members seeking entry into the hospitality industry, applicable for the full duration of the Diploma programme.
For example, those enrolled in the Apprenticeship Diploma course undergo three (3) months of full-time institutional training before splitting their curriculum between part-time institutional training and part-time work attachment at a partner hotel for 15 months. To help the student apprentices fast-track their hospitality careers, they will also receive structured mentorship in addition to job-specific training, and a minimum apprenticeship allowance of S$1,300 per month for the entire work duration.
The sponsorship schemes are targeted towards Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) National Servicemen (NSmen) under SAFRA’s Ordinary A and Ordinary B memberships to develop them into work-ready graduates equipped to join the hospitality sector and take up the culinary or pastry arts as well as events management roles.
SAFRA members applying for the sponsorship must also satisfy eligibility criteria, including but not limited to: (1) Must possess good academic and co-curricular activities records, strong language skills, and have demonstrated leadership qualities; (2) Must not already be a Diploma holder; and (3) Must meet SHATEC’s entry requirements for the relevant Diploma course.
“Through this partnership with SAFRA, we are removing barriers for their members to pursue higher education through SHATEC’s sponsorship schemes, which have received wide support from Singapore’s hospitality industry,” said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Executive Officer of SHATEC. “Together with our hotel partners, we are pleased to secure better employment prospects for new talents among SAFRA members, and give them a strong head start in their hospitality careers.”
Check out more photos of the SHATEC and SAFRA MOU Signing Ceremony on Facebook!
About SAFRA National Service Association
SAFRA was formed in 1972 to provide for the social and recreational needs of NSmen and their families through quality sports, social, educational and cultural programmes to recognise NSmen for their contributions to National Defence. SAFRA currently has a network of seven clubs conveniently located at Choa Chu Kang, Jurong, Mount Faber, Punggol, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Yishun, along with another facility at 29 Carpenter Street. Complementing the modern facilities at SAFRA clubs are a host of quality membership benefits and activities specially packaged for over 540,000 members (as of 31 March 2023) and their families.