What is the Career Conversion Programme?

Attracting and retaining skilled workers is crucial for any businesses looking to grow while adapting to major changes in their industry. While the demand for diverse skill sets continues to rise, the supply remains limited in industries like technology, making it even more challenging for companies to find the right talent.

To show its commitment in developing a digitally capable workforce, the Singapore government launched initiatives to develop talent and bridge the gap across industries. One of those initiatives is the Career Conversion Programme.

What is the Career Conversion Programme (CCP)?

The Career Conversion Programme helps organisations transition individuals into new career paths by providing educational opportunities in the form of classroom learning and on-the-job training. This programme provides eligible professionals in different industries and occupations with the skills and knowledge needed to explore new career paths.

Career Conversion Programme in Singapore

The Career Conversion Programme by Workforce Singapore (WSG) helps companies find employees through reskilling midcareer professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) by offering close to 100 different CCPs across 30 industries such as retail and information and communications (I&C). It offers a unique opportunity for both the employer and employee to help train PMETs through industry-recognised training by providing up to 90% salary support.

There are currently three types of PMETs hired under the CCP programme:

1. Place-and-train. PMETs hired by an employer before undergoing training to prepare them for a new role.
2. Attach-and-train. PMETs provided with training and work attachments prior to being hired for a new role.
3. Redeployment/Job redesign (JR) reskilling. PMETs who are at risk of redundancy or in vulnerable job roles due to a current business transformation.

What is CCP for Oracle NetSuite Professionals?

Across the nearly 100 different CCPs approved by WSG, NetSuite is the only preapproved Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The CCP for Oracle NetSuite Professionals is designed to help equip PMETs with the skills required to perform any of the following Oracle NetSuite roles: Oracle NetSuite Administrator, Oracle NetSuite Data Analyst, and Oracle NetSuite ERP Consultant.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for CCP?

Interested PMETs and employers will need to meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply for the CCP program:

Mid-career PMETs

• Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Minimum age of 21 years old;
• Graduated or completed National Service, whichever is later, at least two years prior at the time of application;
• Must not be a shareholder of the participating CCP company, or any related company to the CCP;
• Must not be related to the owner(s) of the participating CCP company; and
• For existing employees, a minimum one-year tenure with the employer before they are qualified for the Redeployment/Job redesign reskilling CCP.

Employers

• Registered or incorporated in Singapore with a valid Unique Entity Number (UEN) with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA);
• Ensure that new hires/existing staff is not:
• A shareholder of the CCP company, or any of its related companies;
• Related to the owner(s) of the CCP company; and
• (Applies to new hires only) Immediate ex-staff of the participating CCP company or its related companies.
• For new hires, offer a full-time PMET position employment contract on permanent terms or on contract terms that are no less than one (1) year;
• Offer employment directly related to the job which the CCP is for, with remuneration that is aligned to the market rate;
• Must put in place on-the-job training for the trainees; and
• Commit to CCP training arrangements for the trainees.

How Does the Career Conversion Programme Work?

The Career Conversion Programme connects employers with midcareer PMETs who are looking to move to or reskill for new career paths. Eligible individuals will be screened and interviewed by the hiring employer before they undergo on-the-job training to equip them with the knowledge and skills that are required, based on industry standards.

Under the programme, the funding support will be provided to employers by WSG, with the employers cofunding the remaining salary and course fees.

*Unemployed and actively seeking employment for six months or more

Programme salary support structure for Career Conversion Programme

What Are the Eligible Oracle NetSuite Roles Under CCP?

There are three roles supported under the CCP for NetSuite Cloud Professionals:

• NetSuite Administrator
  The NetSuite Administrator track maps to the Applications Support Engineer role in the ICT Skills Framework. A qualified individual can demonstrate critical thinking skills in identifying and solving technical challenges related to the system. The NetSuite administrator will be responsible for:
  • Operating, supporting, and maintaining NetSuite.
  • Collaborating with team members across all business functions and external development teams.
  • Performing customisations, resolving user issues, and defining processes within NetSuite.
  • Performing system cleanup and establishing best practices across the NetSuite environment to achieve business goals.
• NetSuite Data Analyst
  The NetSuite Data Analyst track maps to the Data Analyst/Associate Data Engineer role in the ICT Skills Framework. A qualified individual can demonstrate data savviness and is analytical in approaching large sets of data for problem-solving and interpretation. The NetSuite Data Analyst will be responsible for:
  • Gathering information from various sources to help improve the business and assist in decision-making.
  • Interpreting company historical data, publicly available industry reports, public information, field reports, or purchased sources to offer ways to help improve the business and affect business decisions.
  • Performing analysis of large sets of data collected and reporting to relevant business stakeholders.
• NetSuite ERP Consultant
  The NetSuite ERP Consultant track maps to the System Support Engineer role in the ICT Skills Framework. A qualified individual in this role can demonstrate and can help to provide solutions to problems arising from the system. The NetSuite ERP consultant will be responsible for:
  • Implementing and providing support for ERP systems.
  • Analysing systems and working directly with clients and management to define system requirements.
  • Proposing solutions to complex issues, including configuring and implementing software improvements.
  • Training employees on tools and techniques related to the platform.

What Are the Benefits of CCP?

The CCP offers a bridge to help close the technology skills gap. Taking advantage of the programme can provide several benefits such as:

• Gaining access to a skilled talent pool. The CCP helps employers address critical skill gaps in their organisation by connecting with competent industry professionals looking to transition to a new career path.
• Reducing hiring risks. CCP provides PMETs comprehensive training that develops their skills and equips them with industry-recognised training.
• Cost savings. The programme provides salary support of up to 90% during the training period to help alleviate the financial burden of employers training and reskilling qualified PMETs.
• Improving company reputation. Companies that hire PMETs under the CCP programme can enhance their reputation by providing opportunities to upskill, helping individuals re-enter the workforce, and redeploying individuals during a business transformation.

How to Apply for CCP?

Individuals interested in applying for the Career Conversion Programme can find accredited training providers and institutions by visiting the CCP section on the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) website(opens in a new tab) or by contacting eligible training providers for information on available courses and application procedures.

Employers interested in adopting NetSuite and training individuals through Oracle NetSuite’s Career Conversion Programme should contact a NetSuite consultant for more information.

How Long Does It Take to Finish the CCP?

The duration of the CCP programme varies depending on the complexity of the role and the training required from the individual. On average, it can range from a few months to as long as 24 months.

The duration of the CCP programme for Oracle NetSuite professionals varies depending on the employee type:

• New Hire (NH)

  Eligible midcareer individuals who are hired before being trained by the company to take on a new position will undergo a six-months on-the-job training.

• Redeployment (ReD)

  Individuals eligible for redeployment programs with existing job roles vulnerable or at risk of redundancy due to a business transformation will have a six-months on-the-job training to help prepare them for new jobs within the company.

• Job Redesign & Reskilling (JRR)

  Individuals who have already been with the company full-time for at least one year and whose existing jobs are vulnerable or at risk of redundancy due to a transformation will spend three months in on-the-job training to take on redesigned job roles within the company.

The Career Conversion programme is a great opportunity for employers to tap into a skilled talent pool and reduce the impact of the technology skills gap, especially when it comes to cloud technology. Participating in the CCP will not only support individuals looking for a change in career but also benefit employers who are in the midst of a major change such as implementing a cloud ERP system.

By leveraging a unified data platform like NetSuite ERP, businesses can manage essential business functions such as finance and accounting, inventory management, order management, and procurement to help gain real-time visibility into financial and operational performance. The good news is that Singapore businesses adopting this platform can also take advantage of Oracle NetSuite’s Career Conversion Programme to maximise their investment, using government support to hire and train new employees or reskill individuals with the help of on-demand training videos from NetSuite’s Learning Cloud Support (LCS) service. LCS allows NetSuite to engage in continuous education by delivering easy-to-access learning options to help users improve their knowledge and support their ability to perform daily tasks in NetSuite.

Don’t miss out on a chance to reshape your company’s future!

Information provided is obtained from the WSG's Career Conversion Programmes for Employers web page(opens in a new tab). Please visit the site for more information.

FAQs

Can I still work while undergoing CCP training?

In many cases, CCP training is designed to allow participants to work while completing training. Some training might be conducted during evenings or weekends to accommodate participants who are currently employed. The duration of CCP training can vary based on the industry and the specific skills required.

Can foreign workers apply for the CCP?

The CCP is generally targeted at Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. However, certain courses might be open to Employment Pass and S-Pass holders under specific conditions. It’s best to check with the relevant training provider or institution for eligibility details.

Will I be guaranteed a job after completing CCP training?

While the CCP provides training and support to help enhance your employability, it does not guarantee employment. However, the acquired skills and industry knowledge can help to significantly improve your chances of securing a job in your desired field.

Can I apply for multiple CCP courses?

Yes, you can apply for multiple CCP courses if you meet the eligibility criteria for each course. However, acceptance into each course will depend on factors like availability, suitability, and demand.

Is the CCP only for specific industries?

The CCP covers a wide range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and more. The availability of CCP courses in each industry may vary based on the demand for skills and market trends.

Can I switch industries entirely through the CCP?

Yes, the CCP is designed to help midcareer individuals switch industries and pursue new career paths by providing relevant training and support.