FAQ for Employers

1.     What is the WSQ PnT PR Apprenticeship Programme?

  • The 7-month WSQ PnT PR Apprenticeship Programme comprises of a WSQ classroom training programme and an on-the job training component.

 

2.     Who is eligible to apply for this WSQ PnT programme?

  • Only locally registered companies are eligible. Companies, both within and outside the PR industry, must be hiring for PR and PR-related roles for their agencies or communications-related department in their companies. The participating employers will assist IPRS with the verification of the roles they seek to employ for.

 

3.     How does the employer-employee matching process work?

  • Interested employers and employees apply directly to IPRS. IPRS will match the applications of the employees with the roles that the employers want to hire for and forward the resumes of short-listed candidates to participating employers. These employers will arrange for an interview with the candidates and inform IPRS of their selected candidate. 

 

4.     Can I apply for the programme with a candidate whom my company has already interviewed and agreed to hire?

  • No. The employer-employee matching process must be done via IPRS.

 

5.     What are the eligibility criteria for the employees?

  • Fresh graduates and individuals who have either no experience or background in PR or graduated with PR related courses but having trouble looking for a job in the PR industry.
  • Individuals formerly holding Professional, Managerial, Executive (PME) positions who want a career switch to enter the PR industry.
  • Only trainees who are either Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents above 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the programme. Male trainees must have completed national service before enrolling in the programme.

6.     How many employees can I hire through the WSQ PnT programme?

  • There is no limit in the number of employees that you can hire through the programme. However, these hires must be for PR or PR communications-related roles.

 

7.     Is funding available for this WSQ PnT programme? How does the funding work?

  • Participating employers will be required to sponsor your new hire(s) for training at IPRS with a course fee of $2,100 for each participant (after WDA’s funding). Additionally, you are entitled to a salary defrayment of up to $1,400* for each participant per month for seven months of the WSQ PnT Programme. (*Terms and conditions apply)

 

8.     What are the WSQ PnT modules taught during the classroom training programme?

The five WSQ PnT modules that the employees must complete are:

i.        WSQ Formulate, Coordinate and Evaluate PR Communications

ii.        WSQ Manage Media Relations

iii.        WSQ Plan, Develop and Support Crisis Communications

iv.        WSQ Develop Integrated Marketing Communications for a specific event

v.        WSQ Manage Events.

 

9.     Will the employee receive any certification upon completion of the WSQ Courses?

  • Upon successful completion of the WSQ courses, the new hire(s) will be conferred by WDA with a WSQ Statement of Attainment (SOA) for each of the five (5) WSQ courses.

 

10.  How is the WSQ PnT classroom training conducted?

There are two training formats for this programme:

  • An intensive four-week WSQ PnT classroom training to be conducted upon confirmation of employers/employees participation. This will enable trainees (employees) to quickly settle down in their work place after the completion of their training.
  • A modular framework where each of the five WSQ courses is offered on alternate months during the 7-month WSQ PnT programme.
  • The WSQ classroom training is conducted from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

11.  Do I have to release my employees for WSQ classroom training?

  • Employers are required to release their employees for the whole training duration. Absences from the training will only be excused with valid reasons accompanied by proper documentation from authorised personnel. These documents must be submitted the IPRS forty-eight hours after the absence.

 

12.  Can I bond the employee to the company?

  • Yes. The sponsoring employer shall execute a bond with the new hire(s) for seven (7) months from the start date of the WSQ PnT Programme and a subsequent seven (7) months for the new hire(s) to remain in employment after programme completion.

 

13.  Do I have to sign any contract?

  • Employers must sign a Letter of Undertaking with IPRS which highlights the terms and conditions under which they participate as a sponsoring employer in the WSQ PnT programme.