share on
Tall Ship Adventures has also announced expansion plans for July 2024, which aim to create more job and internship opportunities for locals and ITE students, furthering the partnership’s benefits.
Tall Ship Adventures (TSA), the owner of the luxury tall ship Royal Albatross, and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in Singapore have signed a fourth Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24 July 2024 (Wednesday).
This three-year renewal marks ten years of collaboration since 2015, aimed at enhancing career and internship opportunities for ITE students.
The signing ceremony was attended by Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education.
Under this MoU, valued at nearly S$250,000, TSA will provide up to 20 scholarships annually for students in the Higher Nitec in Passenger Services course.
These scholarships will cover training fees and allowances and help students earn the Royal Albatross Passenger Handling Certificate and the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Food Safety certification.
In addition, TSA will offer internships and industry attachment opportunities to both students and staff, teaching skills in crewing, passenger handling, and safety.
Alongside the above, TSA, which operates from Resorts World Sentosa, has also announced expansion plans for July 2024, including:
- Southern Albatross,
- Pavilion by the Sea, and
- Enhanced Royal Albatross Experience.
These expansions aim to create more job and internship opportunities for locals and ITE students, furthering the partnership’s benefits.
Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE, stated: "Our partnership with Tall Ship Adventures empowers our students to build their careers in the tourism sector.
"Practical experience on the Royal Albatross helps students understand industry standards and develop essential skills."
Peter L. Pela, CEO of TSA, added: "These new developments will enhance our presence in the tourism market and provide more employment opportunities for Singaporeans.
"While education is crucial, soft skills and work experience are vital in the service industry."
At the event, SPS Huang emphasised that all ITE students will participate in two industry attachments. This initiative is designed to enhance their industry-relevant skills and lay a solid foundation for both work and future upskilling opportunities.
"Such close collaboration between our institutions and industry benefit both parties.
"Institutions are able to equip students with future-forward skillsets in authentic workplace settings, while companies can enjoy the first pick of promising students and benefit from a steady pipeline of industry-ready talent."
SPS Huang also highlighted that these industry attachments will foster mutual discovery between companies and students.
"Companies can get to know and discover the goals and needs of future employees, while tapping on fresh perspectives to explore new boundaries.
"At the same time, students have the opportunity to gain insight into companies' ethos and ambitions," he added.
SPS Huang noted that the hospitality sector is growing through digital transformation, using technologies like AI to automate and enhance processes. AI improves guest experiences with chatbots and predictive analytics, boosting loyalty.
However, he affirmed, the human touch remains vital, adding that while AI enhances efficiency, it can't replace the authenticity and empathy crucial to genuine human interaction, and as digitalisation advances, maintaining personal service is increasingly important.
"Students pursuing a hospitality career should therefore not only retain, but also elevate the human touch by honing their customer-facing skills."
"This is best achieved through hands-on training in the workplace," he commented.
share on
