Caption: From left to right, NTUC members Mr Mohd Zahar Bin Salim, Mr Ng Quan Tee and Mr See Toh Ngar Yee are recipients of the AREU’s newest training award, which honours workers who have taken the initiatives to upgrade themselves.
As industries rapidly evolve and external challenges arise, the ability to adapt through lifelong learning has never been more critical. Recognising this, the Attractions, Resorts, & Entertainment Union (AREU) launched its new training award to honour workers who have taken the initiative to upskill themselves. This award highlights the importance of professional growth and development, even during difficult times, and AREU’s focus on helping our workers stay relevant and competitive.Here, the three inspiring stories of Mr See Toh Ngar Yee, Mr Ng Quan Tee and Mr Mohd Zahar Bin Salim.
###
When Covid-19 struck, the travel industry was hit hard, bringing tour agencies worldwide to a standstill as eager travelers stayed home. While missed holidays may have been frustrating for some, the real hardship was felt by workers and businesses whose incomes relied on tourism.
Former freelance tour guide Mr See Toh Ngar Yee, 57, was one of them. After almost 19 years as a tour guide, his income disappeared overnight when the pandemic hit. Freelance tour guides, like Mr See Toh, rely not only on regular assignments but also on tips from tourists to make a living. Without the safety net of paid sick leave,
To adapt, Mr See Toh took on a new role as a patient relations officer at the emergency department at Changi General Hospital. “I had to make ends meet,” he recounted. But this wasn’t Mr See Toh’s first brush with a crisis.
Having weathered the SARS outbreak in 2003, he had learned the importance of staying nimble and resourceful in the face of adversity. “I was 30 years old then, and was retrenched,” he said. That experience shaped his ability to pivot quickly and look for new opportunities in challenging times. This unexpected career shift turned out to have a silver lining; after just three months at the hospital, he was encouraged to upskill and get certified as a security officer, which eventually scored him a full-time stint with Changi General Hospital.
When the stint ended, Mr See Toh didn’t stop there. He continued upgrading his skills, earning an Advanced Certificate in Security, and secured a full-time position at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. At the same time, he found a way to reconnect with his passion for tour guiding, freelancing for Chinese tour groups on his off days, allowing him to balance both careers with greater financial stability.
Like Mr See Toh, freelance tour guide Mr Ng Quan Tee saw the need to adapt to changing times. The 51-year-old, who has been a tour guide for over 14 years and counting, knew he had to upskill in response to the rise of online platforms and technology (such as online travel planners), which were transforming the way tourists plan and navigate their travel experiences. "Travellers today can easily navigate and book attractions online," he observed, which meant his role as a guide needed to offer more than just basic information.
Motivated to sharpen his skills and bring more value to his tours, Mr Ng took the WSQ Develop Nature Commentary course, allowing him to volunteer with NParks and lead nature walks at St. John's Island. “Singapore is green and brimming with opportunities, and I can weave in conversations about conservation and sustainability during my tours,” he shared.
Furthermore, understanding that specialisation would set him apart, Mr Ng also pursued the Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance. This course wasn’t just about becoming a trainer, as he explained, but about being a "good facilitator," someone who could create engaging and interactive experiences for his customers. He even developed a dice game where tourists could win prizes by identifying pictures, making his tours more dynamic and memorable.
Mr Mohd Zahar Bin Salim, 51, a receiving officer at Sentosa Leisure Management, shares a similar drive for self-improvement. With a personal interest in upgrading his skills since his youth, Mr Zahar pursued a Diploma in Infocomm and Digital Media (Cyber Security) from Singapore Polytechnic.
Despite balancing work and studies, he remained committed, spending one to two hours a day on assignments. "Time management is important for me. Learning to prioritise my submissions, my work, and my responsibilities," he explained. Post-course, he noticed improvements in efficiency at work, which has made his job easier, even though he chose not to transit into the IT industry due to pay considerations.
Caption: Recipients of the training award snagging a photo with AREU’s EXCO members: AREU President Mr Azman Bin Osman (Left Most), AREU General Treasurer Mr Andrew Wang (Second from Left), and AREU Executive Secretary Ms Irene Low (Right Most).
While lifelong learning can be challenging, it brings significant rewards and fulfilment, and with the help of UTAP (Union Training and Assistance Programme), workers have access to the support they need to upskill. As Mr Ng wisely advises, "One way to get started is to first identify their skill gaps and then continue to upgrade their skill sets."
Comments