Finance Executive Turned Tourism Ambassador

Five years ago, Vany Ramakrishnan would never have dreamt of working in a resort. “I was working in a bank then and I loved the buzz in the finance world,” Vany recalled. “My job gave me lots of interesting exposure, but I wanted to do something where I could meet and connect with people on a face-to-face level.”

Encouraged by the opportunities and growth in the tourism industry, Vany explored her options for a career switch where she discovered the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) – which helps professionals switch to new occupations in other industries. On the advice of the PCP consultants from the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS), she took up the WSQ Diploma in Tourism to prepare herself for the tourism industry.

“I’m really glad I went through the diploma programme first,” Vany shared. “The course gave me a good understanding of the different facets of tourism and the areas I could work in. On top of that, I had the chance to have some hands-on industrial experience before making the switch. This really increased my confidence when I went for job interviews.”

Keeping Ideas Alive With Fresh Perspectives

Bernard loves his job. Though the hours are long and the schedule uncertain at times, he would never change it for another.

“I design floral arrangements for walk-in customers, and events such as weddings. I also fulfill weekly orders for companies and hotels. What makes me look forward to work everyday is that no two flower arrangements are the same,” Bernard reflected.

In every project he undertakes, Bernard considers the customer’s budget and preferences, and the nature of the event. He also makes it a point to include a special element in every arrangement, be it the kind of flowers or the supporting material used.

Outside of work, he takes on every opportunity to sharpen his skills by pitting himself against top-notch florists. Over the years, his passion has seen him win the “Florist of the Year” in Green Thumbs 2009, 2010, 2011 and the second prize in the Floral Designers Society (Singapore) Cup in 2006, 2008, 2010.

Switching between parallel worlds

 You are an art thief who learnt by chance that there is a glove with the power to create time rifts. Breaking into the museum, you unknowingly caused a catastrophe that has transported you to a parallel universe. You need to go back in time to fix your wrongs and place things back to what they used to be...

And that sums up the plot of VOID, a first-person puzzle game where players switch between parallel worlds to overcome obstacles. Created by team Minus5, a group of students that recently graduated from the DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore, the game prototype won the "Excellence in Technology" award and the "Best Student Game" in the Independent Games Festival (IGF) China.

Forming the team Minus5 are six students – Zoel Gan, Ravindran Mark, Tan Chee Ming, Chan Sin Huan, Leau Tat Sin and Zou Xinru, who attended the WSQ DigiPen-Ubisoft Campus programme. A collaborative effort between DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore, Ubisoft Singapore, and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), it is a 10-month course comprising both academic and production phases. Graduates are provided with the necessary knowledge and industry production experience that they need to join the competitive video game industry.

A total of 6 games were developed through 3 cohorts and here are the other five. Do give them a try!

Are you interested in joining the exciting and dynamic media sector? No media background, no media experience, no problem. Read on!

 

Mr Chan Meng Kit, our profile feature, did not have any media experience, nor knowledge, but yet he is now employed to do new media marketing! You can follow his footsteps and fulfil your dream of working in the media industry. Read on to find out how that is possible.

Trainees undergoing Basic HD Production training

On 14 November 2011, 21 media employers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Singapore Media Academy (SMA) to build a pipeline of skilled talent for the media industry. These media employers will send their staff for Creative Industries WSQ (CI WSQ) training according to their talent development and upgrading objectives. The CI WSQ courses offered are in the areas of Broadcast Journalism, Film & TV Production and Directing, Cinematography, Camera, Sound and Lighting Operations, Editing, Sales & Media Marketing, Writing and Strategy Planning, and were developed closely by WDA and SMA.

Our Productivity Story

Which company is most productive? We leave it to you to decide.

Singled out as one of the 12 key sectors that the Government will be focusing its productivity efforts on, the tourism sector is certainly not sitting on its laurels. As a sector that contributes a significant share to GDP and employing a large number of workers, it is important that it continues to flourish in a sustainable manner.

Hence, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) is supporting the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) “Our Productivity Story” competition.

The annual competition received a total of 58 submissions from companies and six finalists have emerged after a intensive qualifying round.

Following the pre-event seminar where the judges have cast their votes, the deciding factor is now in your hands. The finalists have each produced a short video on their productivity stories and PATA has posted it on YouTube for all to vote for the best story. Voters also stand a chance to win an Apple iPad2.

Cool Media Job: New Media Marketing.

 

Featuring our Social Media Marketing Talent, Mr Chan Meng Kit.

We are delighted to have with us, Mr Chan Meng Kit (right), who holds a Cool Media Job, to share with us his working experience.

Read below for his interview with our Social Media Team!

1)    What do you do?

I am the Assistant Manager at Brandcore. Brandcore is a boutique brand development company that strategise brand development across several industries and sectors. My job scope includes Account Management, Project Management, assisting clients with their events, devising marketing plans and social media plans, and the day-to-day administration and operation of the company.