Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Enhanced training, incentives for mid-career professionals joining healthcare sector

SINGAPORE — Mid-career professionals in Singapore who want an alternative career option will soon have more opportunities to be trained to work in the healthcare sector, when the Government offers new and enhanced conversion and degree programmes.

Elderly patients play mahjong with nurses at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. TODAY file photo

Elderly patients play mahjong with nurses at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. TODAY file photo

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Mid-career professionals in Singapore who want an alternative career option will soon have more opportunities to be trained to work in the healthcare sector, when the Government offers new and enhanced conversion and degree programmes.

From April, the Health Ministry and Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will work with post-secondary educational institutions to expand the Healthcare Professional Conversion Programmes, so that interested candidates may get relevant training to be nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and diagnostic radiographers.

And from September 2016, the conversion programme for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and diagnostic radiographers will be offered as a four-year Bachelor of Science with Honours degree at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

The degree-level training will better prepare candidates to get “a strong academic and theoretical foundation in basic sciences, skill-based professional development and critical thinking skills to meet the future healthcare needs”, a joint media release by the ministry and WDA said.

The course fees will be heavily sponsored and trainees will receive monthly allowances throughout their course of study. When they graduate, they will also receive a one-time “career transition bonus” of S$2,000.

For those who are not taking the degree programme, the monthly training allowances will be increased. For enrolled nurses trainees under the conversion programme, the allowance will range from S$1,350 to S$1,550 — up from the current rates of S$1,300 to S$1,500.

For trainees studying to be registered nurses, as well as those training to be physiotherapists, occupational therapists and diagnostic radiographers at the diploma level, the new training allowance will range from S$1,770 to S$2,050 — up from the existing S$1,700 to S$1,900.

This is the second round of enhancements after the increase in monthly training allowances and the introduction of a “career transition bonus” in 2014.

Since 2003, more than 1,000 mid-career professionals have taken part in these conversion programmes, with around 800 in nursing and 200 in allied health professions.

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State (Health), who was at the Singapore Institute of Technology for the career preview of these programmes today (Feb 13), said: “Nursing and allied health offer meaningful and rewarding careers where our professionals can use their talents to make a difference in the lives of patients every day. With an ageing population, we need to train and recruit more nurses, therapists and radiographers.”

Mr Ng Cher Pong, chief executive of WDA, said: “With the changing demographics of Singaporeans, there is a sharp increase in the demand for quality healthcare... mid-career professionals looking to make a switch to this sector can gain skills and knowledge to deepen and broaden their careers in this challenging but fulfilling sector.”

Applications for the degree programmes are now open until 18 March 2016. Those interested may register for the next round of career previews via www.wda.gov.sg. It will take place on 20 February, 8.30am to 1pm, at the Academic Plaza of the Singapore Institute of Technology in Dover.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.