HR professionals with more than two years of experience can apply to receive funds to attend HR courses
SkillsFuture has started accepting applications for its “Study Award for Human Resources,” as the government aims to deepen skills in the sector and allow HR professionals to be more effective in their organisations.
Winners of the award will receive $5,000 for defraying out-of-pocket expenses involved in relevant HR courses including certificate, diploma, postgraduate diploma, degree and professional development programmes. Up to two courses can be supported for each award.
SkillsFuture said HR professionals play a “key role” in enabling human capital development in their organisations. “Acting as strategic business partners to the CEO, HR professionals can develop and implement effective and progressive people practices that help their organisations attract, develop and retain talent”
Only Singaporeans with at last two years of HR work experience (including unemployed individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce) are qualified to receive the award. SkillsFuture is particularly looking for those who have a track record of contributing to learning and training of others.
There are two applications periods this year – from 27 June to 26 July, and from 1 October to 31 October. Evaluation of applications will take about 4 to 6 weeks after the respective closing dates.
Last May, Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck said it’s “particularly important” for the country to build its HR community.
He stressed that the development of an HR team is “top priority” because it enables Singapore’s economic transformation through human capital development. Teo called on HR professionals to “adapt and grow” to effectively help their businesses during the transformation journey.
Teo cited research commissioned by the Workforce Development Agency. It revealed that HR and business leaders believe HR professionals have yet to acquire all the skillsets required to meet emerging needs.
“Many are preoccupied with performing transactional tasks such as recruiting to fill vacant positions and ensuring salary is paid on time,” said Teo. “These are necessary, but not enough priority is placed on becoming better strategic business partners, providing solutions to strengthen human capital, to deal with the changes in our employment landscape, and managing employee relations and engagement.”