NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd receives accolade at TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia

NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB) emerged as the Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year – Singapore winner at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia, an accolade that demonstrates the company’s role in Singapore’s tourism sector recovery and growth.

Upskilling professionals with cutting-edge skills and certifications

NTUC LHUB has launched several strategic initiatives designed to empower professionals with the essential skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving tourism industry. These initiatives coincide with the publication of NTUC LHUB’s 2024 Tourism Industry Insights report, which highlights emerging trends and challenges facing the sector amidst its post-pandemic recovery.

The 2024 report, which was based on a survey of 167 tourism leaders, identifies key trends such as the increasing use of technology (76%), demand for service excellence (66%), and growing emphasis on sustainability and wellness in travel. However, the sector also faces challenges, including shifting travel behaviour (63%), and a shortage of skilled professionals (53%).

To support businesses in overcoming these challenges, NTUC LHUB has partnered with key industry players, including the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS), and the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) to launch a series of specialised training programmes aimed at building a more skilled and sustainable tourism workforce.

NTUC LHUB is introducing a variety of new certifications that are globally and locally recognised to ensure that tourism professionals meet international standards whilst addressing local industry needs. In collaboration with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), NTUC LHUB will offer two new courses for events professionals: the Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification and the Technical Meeting & Event Production (TMEP) certificate course.

In a major step toward sustainability, NTUC LHUB has teamed up with SACEOS to launch Singapore’s first sustainability-focused certification for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector: the Certified Event Sustainability (CES) programme. This initiative aims to develop MICE professionals to undertake the role of sustainability experts, in support of the broader Singapore Green Plan 2030.

NTUC LHUB also recently unveiled the “NTUC LearningHub for Tourism” sector brand to champion continuous learning in the sector. This underscores NTUC LHUB’s commitment to adapting to the sector’s evolving needs and fostering growth through training and skill development.

Strategic partnerships: Forging the future of Singapore tourism 

NTUC LHUB and the STB announced in May 2024 their three-year partnership to co-develop courses in key emerging areas, including sustainability, service excellence, and technology. Meanwhile, the partnership with SDC will focus on upskilling over 15,000 workers across Sentosa, aiming to improve customer experience, sustainability, and other emerging tourism capabilities. The collaboration will also see the launch of the One Sentosa Transformation and Equipping Platform (1-STEP), a framework designed to accelerate workforce transformation through targeted, industry-specific training.

NTUC LHUB’s efforts to upskill workers also extend to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), which has committed to training its staff as part of the initiative. 

In addition to this, NTUC LHUB further boosted Singapore’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry by signing an MoU with Singapore EXPO in 2024 to provide customised training and workshops focusing on service excellence and future-ready skills. 

NTUC LHUB has also joined forces with the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) to create the Certified Travel Professional (CTP) programme, designed to equip both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the travel industry with essential skills to help new entrants acquire job opportunities, as well as seasoned professionals to thrive in a dynamic and competitive market. This first-of-its-kind certification programme will ensure that travel agents can adapt to the evolving market and help drive the industry’s long-term resilience.

TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Asia is a premier awards programme presented by Travel Daily Media. It seeks to honour the pinnacle of excellence in Asia’s travel industry, covering the best hotels, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, travel agencies, booking platforms, and travel technology.

The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia is presented by Travel Daily Media. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more details, please contact Jane Patiag at +(65) 3158 1386 ext. 217 or awards@traveldailymedia.com.