The Singapore Hotel Association (SHA), representing 167 hotels in Singapore, has announced that its training division, SHATEC, will be shifting its focus away from pre-employment training (PET) to concentrate more on its continuing education and training (CET) programmes.
This pivot will strengthen SHATEC’s position as the leading institution supporting the tourism and hospitality sectors in their workforce transformation efforts. SHATEC will work closely with partners, such as Workforce Singapore, on its new focus to reskill and upskill the existing individuals in the tourism and hospitality sectors with in-demand skills, such as sustainability and digital fluency, outlined in the Jobs Transformation Map for the Hotel Industry. Through our collaboration, we aim to strengthen the career health of these individuals and contribute to a fulfilled and resilient workforce.
In September 2024, SHATEC will welcome its final cohort of PET students. At the same time, SHATEC will continue to collaborate with the industry to deliver CET programmes aimed at upskilling, deep-skilling, and reskilling the hotel workforce, empowering them to excel and progress in the ever-evolving hospitality sector. When Singapore was emerging as a prominent travel destination, there was a critical need for a steady supply of skilled professionals to support the expanding tourism industry. To address this, SHATEC was founded in 1983 to spearhead regional tourism human resource development and cooperation.
Since its inception in 1983, SHATEC has produced generations of distinguished hoteliers and culinarians who have played pivotal roles in the growth of Asia’s tourism industry. Over more than four decades, Singapore has gained international recognition as a premier destination, known for its outstanding hospitality. Today, thanks to the achievements of local educational institutions and the rise of regional hotel schools, the industry is well-supported by a continuous influx of young professionals.
“Being the umbrella body for Singapore’s hotel sector, the Singapore Hotel Association recognises the needs of the future of hospitality. As we embark on the journey of job transformation for hotels, it is a natural progression for SHATEC to assume an elevated role in nurturing talents to serve hotels of tomorrow”, said Mr. Kenneth Li, President of Singapore Hotel Association.
Over the years, SHATEC has provided formal training programs both in Singapore and across various countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Renowned for its expertise in hospitality education, SHATEC has also offered consultancy and advisory services for projects under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Community, focusing on human resource development for ASEAN tourism. Additionally, SHATEC was a founding member of APETIT (Asia-Pacific Education and Training Institutions in Tourism), established by UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific). Today, SHATEC is a member of the Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (APacCHRIE).
“After more than four decades and 40,000 alumni in strength, SHATEC’s graduates can be found all over the world holding key positions in leading hotels and other hospitality-related establishments. However, we remain cognizant of our raison d’être – to build technical competencies, development of leadership potential, character building and personal betterment. The time is ripe to elevate SHATEC’s role in nurturing a new generation of talents who can serve the future of hospitality”, said Loh Lik Peng, Chairman of SHATEC.
