ICF is constantly engaging WSG on their training and employment programmes. The Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP) is one such initiative by WSG providing mid-career PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians), to undergo skills conversion and move into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects and opportunities for progression.

Sanjay Ravee speaks with Annie Chua, CEO, ICF Group and Isaac Cheong, Deputy Manager (HR) to uncover how ICF has made use of this programme to help the company, in an industry short of local talent.

*Note: This virtual interview was edited in this video to keep the focus on key talking points. All information provided in the video is accurate at the time of recording.

Key questions and answers below:

Can you elaborate on how the SGUJ, PCP and EJM programmes has been invaluable to your organisations expansion plans?

The Marine PCP is a 6-month structured training programme consists of classroom training with emphasis placed on OJT. As such, we are able to source for talents from other industries, equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for our Cruise Ship interior fit-out industry. This programme helped in our company’s expansion plans significantly.

As for SGUJ and EJM, our HR has touched base with SBF and WSG respectively. They will look into these platforms in detail on how these platforms can help us with our recruitments needs.

 

Can you elaborate on the skills and experience shared / transferred between the new hires and existing staff?

Through mentorship (OJT), we aim to instil a sense of belonging and impartation of relevant skills and knowledge to the new hire. We see mentorship as not only beneficial to the new hire, but also to the mentor, as there will be cross sharing of different experience, new ideas and techniques from different industry, whereby at times these ideas can be useful and implemented at work.

We believe Everyone brings a wealth of experience from their past experience, hence being open minded to share and learn from each other is definitely useful.

 

Can you highlight one of the hires from the programmes who may have initially faced difficulties adapting but has since excelled or even made some contributions that have improved the productivity or workflow within the company? Can you share details and examples of this?

We recruited George Wee from another industry (Precision Engineering) and enrolled him for Marine PCP. It was challenging for him in the initial stage as the type of work is totally different from what he used to do.

With the help of Marine PCP, which is a 6 months programme, consisting of course training n OJT, we registered George for a series of training relevant to his job, and we also sent him to Europe for a 1-month attachment during which he gained in depth learning of the cruise ship sector.

Together with mentorship, George was able to transit smoothly into his new role. George showed consistent good performance, and he was given the opportunity to step up to take the role of Assistant Production Manager.

 

How has the experience of working with WSG been?
GREAT! Respond was fast and they have been very helpful.

 

Would your company be interested in any other WSG programmes?
We are constantly engaging WSG to learn more about their new initiatives and programmes.

 

What is one advice you have for other SMEs?
As a SME where resources might be limited, we appreciate these initiatives rolled out by WSG. Especially during these trying times, as a local SME, we appreciate WSG’s effort to support us.