First-of-its-kind programme offers a comprehensive pathway combining education, on-the-job training, and leadership development for RP School of Hospitality students.

Supporting Singapore’s Hospitality Industry

Singapore’s hospitality industry is experiencing a resurgence as demand for leisure and business travel return to pre-pandemic levels. 

To facilitate this revival and support further growth, Singapore released the Job Transformation Map for the Hotel Industry in 2023. The map helps to chart the industry’s future trends and provides resources for workers to maintain their competitiveness and relevance.

RP also recognises the importance of cultivating a robust and skilled hospitality workforce in Singapore. Through key collaborations, it ensures that RP School of Hospitality (SOH) students possess the knowledge, mentorship, and practical experience to excel in their careers.

Building a Hospitality Workforce with the Talent Advancement Programme

On 4 January 2024, SOH unveiled its Talent Advancement Programme (TAP) at RP’s Open House, in an event graced by Guest-of-Honour, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Second Minister for Education.

TAP was developed in collaboration with 16 industry partners, including hotels such as Hilton Singapore and Marriott International, banking institutions such as OCBC and UOB, and logistics companies such as DHL Supply Chain Singapore. The programme’s pilot run aims to enrol 100 students, who will receive support throughout their academic journey till graduation. This support includes career guidance, on-the-job training, and leadership development modules. 

TAP students will be paired with a mentor appointed by the company to support them throughout their studies. This culminates in a 40-week internship during their final year, where students will have the opportunity to engage in various roles within the company, enhancing their learning experiences. 

Upon graduation, these students may be offered full-time employment opportunities, creating a direct pipeline into the industry.

“The hospitality sector is a highly contact-intensive service industry, and we have a collective interest with our esteemed partners to reimagine a vibrant learning ecosystem, tapping on the polytechnic’s strength in hospitality to position Singapore as an exciting tourism hub,” commented Ms Jeanne Liew, Principal & CEO.

A World of Opportunities at RP Open House 2024

In addition to introducing TAP, visitors to the three-day Open House learnt about possible career paths and new learning opportunities available, such as the RP School of Engineering’s expansion of their curriculum with the Unmanned Aircraft Basic Training certificate. 

These visitors primarily were prospective students keen to find out about RP’s course offerings and campus life. 

They experienced fun activities associated with different career options such as perfume-making, filming a movie, or breaking out of a digital escape room.

Visitors were also able to attend admission talks, watch performances, and interact with lecturers and seniors to address their enquiries.

Key Partnerships for Learning Development

In every discipline, whether hospitality, sciences, business, or beyond, RP ensures its students benefit from valuable learning experiences to grow and attain competitive skillsets.

Through RP’s close collaborations with key partners, students continue to enjoy access to cutting-edge technologies and career development opportunities. This helps to enhance their employability and contributes to the cultivation of talented professionals.

In this manner, RP has been able to ensure the continual refinement of its offerings and curriculum to meet the ever-evolving demands of Singapore’s industries, preparing its students for the challenges of the future.