Changing industries and making a mid-career switch is the norm in today’s fast-changing world. It has gotten easier in recent years due to the proliferation of training programmes and schemes to promote industry switches, such as the Career Conversion Programme administered by NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
The Career Conversion Programme is for workers who are keen to undergo skills conversion. With the new skills learnt, these workers are better equipped to transit into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects and opportunities for progression.
One key advantage of coming onboard the Career Conversion Programme is that the worker is hired by a participating employer to take on new job role before he/she undergoes training.
The skills taught come from a combination of external, in-house, and structured on-the-job training. Upon completion of the training, the worker is given the opportunity to move up the career ladder with a wage increment as well.
Elitez Pte Ltd is one such employer which has been partnering e2i since 2017 to implement the Career Conversion Programme to groom suitable candidates such as Jorena Tan and Kimberly Fong (pictured above) for its Business Development Executive role.
Business Development Executives are responsible for the growth and expansion of the company, by identifying and supporting the potential clients from multiple industries (e.g. FMCG, logistics, healthcare, F&B and technology) in the area of manpower management.
These two Career Conversion Programme trainees from Elitez Pte Ltd share their experiences of how they made a mid-career switch with the support of this programme.
Kimberly Fong (pictured above) has been working as a Business Development Executive for Elitez Pte Ltd for a year, inclusive of 6 months of undergoing training in the Career Conversion Programme. She was previously a Senior Manager in the Mass Participation Sports Events Industry since she graduated from university.
Q: What made you want to make a switch to this job / industry?
KF: During COVID-19, all mass participation sports events were cancelled and it was hard to predict when the events would return. After many considerations (painful ones), I decided to leave the events scene to pursue an experience in a different industry. I was speaking to an ex-staff, and she recommended her husband to speak to me about an opportunity in Elitez which allows me to have a chance to do business development in mass deployment of temp and contract staffing.
Q: Can you briefly describe some notable trainings you have gone through?
KF: Throughout the year, I am very thankful that the company has put me through many courses that guided me and helped me to grow interpersonally and to improve my people and management skills in leading my team. Some of these courses are:
- Service challenges
- People change management
- Coach for service performance
- Fundamental of personal data protection act
- Vision leadership
Q: What were some interesting things you learnt on the job / training period?
KF: During the last 1 year, I was given the opportunity to run mass deployments for 200+ promoters during the Chinese New Year period and was also assigned to lead a task force to manage all operational aspects for that activation.
During this period, it was extremely challenging because the task force was managing this activation for the first time and we only had less than 2 weeks to recruit, train and deploy the manpower required.
Just when we had fulfilled all recruitment and training, we thought the challenge was over, but instead, the real challenge was when we had to coordinate all operations and logistics matters on ground with across 40 over outlets and their outlet manager.
That was also my first time managing close to 100 over seniors for that activation. Communicating with seniors is challenging but very fulfilling. Through this experience, I have also learnt to think from their perspective and understand better how to communicate in certain manner such that our processes can be smooth and close to perfection.
Q: During the training period, was there a person who really helped guide you along the learning process?
KF: Yes! My direct supervisor – Eevann, has shown great support throughout my entire journey. I am also very thankful that our CEO – Derrick, made time to speak to me periodically to check in on my progress and giving opportunities to grow within the company.
Q: What are your overall feelings / takeaways from this entire Place-and-Train period?
KF: I feel very thankful that I was given the opportunity to learn and grow, such as the autonomy to manage projects, review processes for the company and suggest changes to the respective teams to implement. It allows us to learn from each other and provide a good opportunity to improve the company altogether.
Q: What matters to you most in a job?
KF: The leader of the company, my team members, and the growth opportunity I have in the company.
Jorena Tan (pictured above) is also a Business Development Executive at Elitez Pte Ltd. She has been working at the company for a year which included 6 months of training in the Career Conversion Programme. She was previously managing projects and account servicing in the event/exhibitions industry.
Q: What made you want to make a switch to this job / industry?
JT: Ever since I joined this job, I am learning new things or skills every day. Gaining knowledge along the way to improve myself.
Q: Can you briefly describe some notable trainings you have gone through?
JT: People change management, personal effectiveness, and service challenges.
Q: What were some interesting things you learnt on the job / training period?
JT: Coach for Service Performance is always important when it comes to business line. Therefore, it is good to go through this course to learn how you can do service recovery after a situation happened and be prepared for the different kind of challenges that we will all face in the near future.
Q: During the training period, was there a person who really helped guide you along the learning process?
JT: The whole team in general are very helpful with one another and we also share our experiences and strengths with each other.
Q: What are your overall feelings / takeaways from this entire Place-and-Train period?
JT: I am so glad to be a part of this Place-and-Train as I am able to upgrade my skillsets!
Q: What matters to you most in a job?
JT: A good leader
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ElitezGroup and https://e2i.com.sg/businesses/training/customised-training-initiatives/
