SINGAPORE – The Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS) has come forward to address the needs of fresh graduates and mid-career switchers, including professionals, managers and executives who are in-between jobs, to pursue a career in public relations (PR). This is also extended to existing PR Executives who are looking at opportunities to upgrade their skills.
Fresh graduates and career switchers can now consider pursuing a PR career via the Place and Train Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) for PR Executives, a joint effort by IPRS and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). This PCP helps participating candidates to be better equipped and to secure a job in the PR industry during these trying times. The programme was officially announced by the Acting Minister of Manpower, Mr Gan Kim Yong at the Creative Industries Fair on 28 February 2009.
The IPRS received tremendous response at the CI fair, especially for the PCP programme. Over 100 applicants signed-up for the programme. Most of them were fresh graduates and career switchers. Interestingly, among those who visited the booth were students who were graduating in 2010 but thought that it was good to identify the possible opportunities that were made available for them beforehand.
With the support from WDA and employers, more people out there will stand a chance to build a career in the PR profession. Some IPRS members who have expressed their interest in supporting the programme include Edelman PR, MRA Communications, Communications DNA, NBS Consulting, Ruder Finn Asia, UpstreamAsia, Mileage Communications, Weber Shandwick Worldwide Singapore, PR Communications and AsiaPRWerkz.
The PCP programme takes off in April 2009 and it includes a one month intensive training and six months of salaried placement in participating organisations. The training will be specially tailored to meet the current industry requirements and will be conducted by experienced PR Professionals.
Candidates will be taught essential skills in PR like how to identify issues, understand and manage the media, craft effective news releases, pitch stories to the media and apply business skills.
IPRS believes that this programme would prepare candidates for the tougher rides ahead and provide them with sufficient experience to do well in the PR career.
IPRS President, Ms K Bhavani looks forward for members, both agencies and corporate, to support this initiative, which will increase job opportunities in the industry and thus serve a national cause. “This is an excellent opportunity for local PR agencies who are seeking to hire someone but are constrained due to the current economic crisis. This is also a good opportunity for fresh graduates and career switchers as it assures them a job. The Programme will benefit the organisations and the individuals” said Ms Bhavani.
While IPRS will help to pre-screen and refer candidates to the participating organisations for consideration, the interviewing and hiring of the suitable candidates and interviews will be done by the participating organisations.
Funding Support for the Course
Under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) by WDA, organisations that participate in the PCP for PR executives will receive 90% course fee funding, and 80% funding for salary, capped at $1000/month per candidate during the full 7-month PCP.
PR executives who have recently joined the profession can also upgrade their skills and knowledge through the same one month intensive training programme that is used for the PCP for Public Executives. The sponsoring employers of these current PR executives can receive 90% course fee funding from WDA and absentee payroll funding of 80% of basic salary, capped at $6 per hour during the one month training.
A number of PR agencies and organisations which are currently recruiting have welcomed this initiative.
“We are delighted that the IPRS and WDA have come out with this initiative. This program will certainly ensure a constant flow of well-trained and fresh talent pool of communicators to meet the talent shortage challenges that we faced in the industry in past years. It will also elevate standards and competencies that the industry requires,” said Mr Baxter Jolly, Managing Director, Weber Shandwick Worldwide Singapore.
Application Procedure
In order to participate in this programme, candidates will need to meet the minimum requirements and will have to go through interviews and screenings by IPRS and the prospective employers.
IPRS encourages more PR agencies and corporations to come on board this programme as it is an excellent opportunity, more so, for local agencies who are seeking to hire someone but are restrained due to their tight resources during this financial turbulence.
About IPRS
IPRS, established in 1970 as a non-profit organisation, is the only accrediting body for public relations practitioners. The Institute’s objective is to establish growth for Singapore’s PR industry through knowledge acquisitions, networking, and exchanging of new ideas. The Institute continually strives to be the leading regional PR organisation that will not only elevate the profession but also set industry standards and increase public recognition of this profession.
Contact Details
For further details on the Place and Train Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) for PR Executives, please contact
Ms Shan Singam
Communication Executive
Institute of Public Relations of Singapore
43B South Bridge Road
058677 Singapore
Tel: 62362901
www.iprs.org.sg
Ms Lee Mei See
Communication Executive
Institute of Public Relations of Singapore
Tel: 62362903
