Retail therapy: Government to fund $3m retail scholarships

This is to provide Singapore’s retail workforce accessible and affordable university education.

A Singapore Workforce Development Agency press statement said, “Aimed at boosting retail graduate numbers, WDA hopes that these initiatives will attract and retain talent within the sector.”

A total of 90 scholarships under WDA's Retail Executive Scholarship Programme will be awarded to selected new entrants and existing workers in the retail sector. These scholarships which cover 90% of programme fees will be given out over a period of three years.

Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Chief Executive of WDA, noted that out of over 100,000 workers in the sector, only 8.5% of the retail workforce holds a degree qualification and above compared to the overall average of 26.6% across the service industry.

“Hence, there is a pressing need to create more development opportunities to enhance the professionalism and to deepen the skills of the workforce in the retail sector. Through such initiatives, WDA hopes to provide an alternative pathway for both the retail workforce and those interested in joining the sector to upgrade and attain their degrees,” he said.

Application for the scholarships will start on 3 January 2012.