SINGAPORE: Singapore's top tourist spots – Resorts World at Sentosa, the Singapore Zoo and Singapore Flyer – have been recognised for their commitment to staff training and skills upgrading.

The awards were given out on Wednesday by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) at the Skills Qualifications Awards ceremony.

Joseph Ravindran Christie had no experience in the tourism sector when he joined the Singapore Flyer.

Undaunted, the former airline passenger services officer forged ahead to become a ticketing supervisor after getting certified under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications framework.

The framework is a continuing education system that establishes national standards within a given industry.

Joseph said: "The training was for a month, just before we started operations here and it covered various topics like first-aid, safety, security, interacting with guests. I'll definitely encourage anyone who wants to join the attractions field to go for this certificate in attractions. It is very useful – it will play a big part in day-to-day interaction with customers and problem solving."

The Singapore Flyer is a recipient of the Most Supportive Company Award for efforts to re-skill and integrate employees from other sectors into the attractions industry.

The company has worked together with the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore to come up with a customised training programme for its workers.

"Every day brings a fresh new set of problems, but with every problem there's an opportunity to grow, to learn from it. The most satisfying (aspect) is to hear customers tell us that it was a wonderful ride and to keep up the good work. We hope to see it grow from there," said Joseph.

The Singapore Zoo and Underwater World also received the same award for their investment in staff training and development.

Resorts World at Sentosa and Leisurequest received the New Approved Training Organisation Award, while the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore bagged the Continuing Education Training Centre Recognition Award.


- CNA/so