1. Forty-six year old Mdm Kumutha d/o Balakrishnan affirms the importance of continuous learning and skills upgrading amidst the current economic climate where retrenchment is more rampant on mature workers. Mdm Kumutha is a silver medallist and Mike Gorrie HRM awards winner at SHRI 40th Graduation Ceremony.

 

2. Her age, busy work schedule and family commitment does not seem to impede her from attending evening classes to refine and sharpen her skills in human resource. Her commitment and dedication to upgrade her skills and achieving academic excellence underpins the importance of having a positive mindset, adapting to the changes that globalisation has brought with it and most importantly to brace herself for the new workforce requirements which is changing so rapidly.

 

3. A mature worker who holds a strong belief in skills upgrading, she said "Taking up this course has enhanced my knowledge of the latest HR trends and practices. Given the current economic condition and changing employment landscape, it is very important for me, as a HR practitioner, to upgrade my skills and knowledge so as to remain relevant and be able to contribute effectively to my organisation. With my work experience and now a certification, I hope to brace the challenges of the new economic uncertainty.”

 

4. Skills upgrading and continuous learning is indeed taking centre stage now. With the new workforce requirements and changing employment landscape, the Singapore government is encouraging Singaporeans to embrace continuous learning and master new skills or refine their current skills. HR practitioners are also now seen to undertake a pivotal role in helping employers execute new policy changes.

 

5. This year, SHRI 40th SHRI Graduation Ceremony will see 694 students receiving their scroll on stage graduating as certified HR practitioner. This is an increase of 28 percent, compared to 543 in 2007.

 

6. In total for year 2008, 819 adult learners from the School of Human Capital Management and School of Financial Services and Risk Management will graduate with certification ranging from Basic Certificate to Graduate Diploma levels. This is an increase of 23 percent, compared to 666 graduands in 2007. And for the first time, the graduands will say a pledge together to maintain the highest standards of personal integrity and conduct in the performance of their professional duties. Mr Ramlee bin Buang, Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer of Cerebos Pacific Limited will grace the ceremony.

 

7. We invite you and your media colleagues to attend the graduation ceremony and gain insights on continuous learning, skills upgrading and new policy changes on the workforce requirements with our graduands who are adult learners with ages ranging from 20 to mid-40s.