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Kamis, 15 Oktober 2020 21:15:00

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic and NTUC LearningHub Announce Collaboration to Expand Singapore's Healthcare Competencies Through SGUnited Skills Programme

SINGAPORE  - 15 October 2020 - The Healthcare Academy -- a collaboration by NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), Healthcare Services Employees' Union (HSEU) and NTUC's Employability and Employment Institute (e2i) -- today announced partnerships with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic to leverage the expertise of each institution to enhance the quality of training and expand the nation's healthcare and community care competencies.

These competencies will directly address skills gaps and talent needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the evolving health needs of Singaporeans as the healthcare industry continues its long-term shift towards preventive and community care. This will be done through well-rounded, collaborative training programmes offered as part of the Government's SGUnited Skills (SGUS) Programme.

The collaboration is also driven by a desire to upskill healthcare employees and expand their competencies, as more pressure is placed on the sector for care delivery and medical support[1]. This initiative also supports the nation's plan to build a pipeline of talent, who may not have prior healthcare industry experience, to join the sector [2].

Participants will be able to select from three tracks including Basic Care Assistant and Healthcare Assistant offered by Healthcare Academy and Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Health Sciences and School of Humanities & Social Sciences, and Community Care Workforce -- which includes care coordinators, health coaches and case managers -- by Healthcare Academy and Republic Polytechnic's School of Sports, Health and Leisure. These tracks were specially chosen to address both immediate and longer term needs of the community care sector.

In each of the three tracks, the modules and real-world practicum are curated to form a six-month-long programme. The fundamental skills acquired will enable participants to take on new roles in the healthcare sector, even if they have had no prior experience.

In addition, designed with the goal of improving the employability of participants, the SGUS Programme encompasses career advisory and employment facilitation efforts from NTUC LHUB to assist trainees in their job search in the healthcare sector.

"We are excited to partner Healthcare Academy to meet the nation's growing demand for healthcare services. Ngee Ann Polytechnic has been grooming compassionate and competent professionals for the sector through our School of Health Sciences since 2005. Together with our School of Humanities and Social Sciences, our programmes will offer additional multi-disciplinary skills in a blended learning environment most suited for adult learners. The launch of the SGUnited Skills Programme targeted at mid-career professionals will allow them to acquire expertise in key areas such as infection control, wellness and counselling, to help build a strong talent pool and a sustainable healthcare system," says Mr Clarence Ti, Principal of Ngee Ann Polytechnic.  (*).