SACEOS nurtures next-gen MICE talent with mentorship programme

SEEKING to secure the next generation of talent for the conference and exhibitions industry, Singapore’s SACEOS has inked an MoU with Republic Polytechnic to collaborate on two major initiatives.

Seto Lok Yin, deputy principal (industry services), Republic Polytechnic, said: “WE are collaborating with SACEOS on Inspire 360 for our diploma in integrated events (DIEM) students to be groomed and mentored by key industry partners. Through such industry exposure in real work setings, they will be ready to contribute to the dynamic MICE and events industry upon graduation.”

The first of two initiatives, Inspire 360 is a structured mentorship programme for a pilot group of 10 second-year DIEM students who will be matched with mentoring companies based on their aspirations. Mentoring companies will guide and involve the students in real work to give them on-the-job training and experience.

Students in the Inspire 360 programme will also intern with the company in their third year for six months, and could be offered a full-time position upon graduation if they perform well.

Inspire 360 will begin on January 1, 2015.

The second initiative will see SACEOS’ Professional Conference Management and Professional Exhibition Management certifications become part of the school curriculum to increase students’ future employability.

Neeta Lachmandas, assistant chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Inspire 360 and the certifications will enable both the students and lecturers to deepen their level of expertise on delivering high-quality experiences and events.

“This is in line with MICEHQ.SG, one of the key thrusts of the MICE 2020 Roadmap, which looks at building Singapore’s strength as a MICE destination and sustaining Singapore’s leadership position for the future.”

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