Tall Ship Adventures Pte. Ltd. (TSA), owner operator of the renowned Royal Albatross – Asia’s only luxury tall ship – and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) have officially entered into a fourth Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for another three years. This renewal, marking a decade-long partnership that began in 2015, aims to further enhance career and internship placement for ITE students. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education.
Under the MOU, valued at close to $250,000, TSA will provide up to 20 scholarships annually to ITE students enrolled in the Higher Nitec in Passenger Services course. These scholarships will cover training fees and allowance, enabling students to attain the Royal Albatross Passenger Handling Certificate and the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Food Safety certification. Additionally, TSA will offer industry attachment opportunities to ITE students and staff, equipping students with essential skills in crewing, passenger handling and safety during internships, and staff with up-to-date industry insights.
TSA, based in Singapore and operating from Resorts World Sentosa, has also unveiled an ambitious expansion plan set for July 2024. The new offerings include:
- Southern Albatross: A 50-seater twin-hull fast boat providing an affordable, fast 60minute ride for tourists to cruise along the Sentosa coast, and around the Southern Islands.
- Pavilion by the Sea: A 29,030 square feet Balinese-style venue overlooking the water, designed to host corporate and special events for up to 200 guests. The venue will offer team-bonding activities, customised catering, and barbecues.
- Enhanced Royal Albatross Experience: During the day, the Royal Albatross will transform into a dockside bar and restaurant before setting sail for its scheduled dine-andsail programmes.
These enhancements aim to create new job and internship opportunities for locals and ITE students, further strengthening the collaboration between ITE and TSA.
Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE, remarked, “Our partnership with Tall Ship Adventures empowers our students to build their careers in the tourism sector. By bringing the classroom to the decks of the Royal Albatross, we provide students with the opportunity to learn through practical experience, helping them to foster a deeper understanding of industry standards and cultivate the necessary skill sets to thrive in this dynamic environment."
"With the government's guidelines to create more job opportunities for Singaporeans, we believe that these new offerings and developments will not only enhance our presence in the tourism market but also provide more employment opportunities for Singaporeans seeking work," said Mr Peter L. Pela, CEO of TSA. "We understand the critical role SMEs play in empowering our students to enter the workforce. I have always believed that while education is essential, it is the soft skills and work experience that truly make a difference in the service industry."
Since the first MOU in January 2015, the partnership has successfully engaged over 120 ITE students in the Passenger Services course, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience. TSA remains committed to attracting talented students to contribute to its growth. A notable success story is Ms Priscilla Pang, an ITE alumna from the Higher Nitec in Passenger Services at ITE College Central, and recent TSA hire. Priscilla, now a Reservations Executive, has advanced through the ranks, leveraging the skills and knowledge gained during her internship to make significant contributions to the TSA’s reservations team. Her success underscores the importance of hands-on learning and the opportunities available to dedicated students.
“I wish to thank the management team of Royal Albatross, especially Mr Antony Isaac for mentoring me during my internship. The internship has exposed me to real-world challenges when it comes to handling customers. It also helped me comprehend how dynamic the tourism sector can be. It is a truly invaluable experience,” said Priscilla Pang.