Objectives of the Programme
With rising social challenges in Singapore, the need for professional social workers has grown significantly. It has been projected that at least 100 Social Workers are needed a year, for the next 5 years.
To meet the industry’s demands for social workers, WDA has partnered SIM University (UniSIM) and National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to offer a Place-and-Train Professional Conversion Programme for Social Workers (PCP SW). The programme aims to convert individuals from outside the community and social services sector by training and re-skilling them into qualified Social Workers.
Benefits and Opportunities
Social Workers or Medical Social Workers are employed in organisations like hospitals, family service centres, special education schools, youth centres and sheltered homes. They play diverse roles - in direct practice, in administrative, management and policy planning positions. Social Workers serve persons with disabilities, children from disadvantaged backgrounds, persons with addictions and mental illnesses, and many others, making their job a challenging yet fulfilling one.
A fully qualified Social Worker can potentially draw a starting salary ranging from $2,550 to $2,750.
Individuals are eligible for the following courses depending on their educational qualification:
- Degree holders (except for degrees related to Social Work): 15-month Graduate Diploma of Social Work (GDSWK); or
- Non-degree holders: 24-month Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work (ABSWK).
Programme Details
As the PCP SW is a Place-and-Train programme, all individuals must secure employment with a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) or hospital before applying to UniSIM.
Table below details the application, screening and enrolment process.
| Timelines |
Key Dates |
Online Application
- Online portal to be opened from 8 Feb to 8 Mar 2013.
- More details on upcoming career previews and the link to the online application portal will be uploaded on 8 Feb 2013.
Interested individuals to submit all online applications by 8 Mar 2013.
|
Application closes at 1700 hrs, 8 Mar 2013
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Screening Phase by Employers (over three weeks)
- Interviews between employers and applicants.
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9 Mar 2013 –
31 Mar 2013
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Application to UniSIM
- Applicants must apply and enrol into the respective courses at UniSIM
- For PCP SW applicants applying to the Graduate Diploma course, they have until 7 April 2013 to do so.
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ABSWK: 8 Feb – 31 Mar
GDSWK: By 7 Apr
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Screening Phase by UniSIM
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1 Apr 2013 – 29 Apr 2013
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Confirmation of PCP Social Work 2013 trainees
- NCSS and WDA to inform successful trainees
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30 Apr 2013 onwards
|
Signing of Deeds
- Trainees to sign respective employment contract and agreements with employers, WDA and NCSS.
|
May 2013 to June 2013
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Course Commencement
- Accelerated Bachelor to commence on 22 July.
- Graduate Diploma to commence on 27 July.
|
July 2013
|
Course Details
UniSIM is the training provider for the Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work (ABSWK) and Graduate Diploma of Social Work (GDSWK) courses which are accredited by the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW).
|
Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work
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Graduate Diploma of Social Work
|
Course Commencement
|
22 July 2013
|
27 July 2013
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Course duration
|
24 months
|
15 months (including a 4-month bridging course)
|
Course structure
|
- Classroom + practicum
- To graduate, students are required to complete a total of 130 credit units including 10 core modules and a 400-hour practicum.
- Lessons are held 3 times a week on weekdays.
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- Classroom + practicum
- To graduate, students are required to complete the 6 compulsory modules and any 4 electives and a 400-hour practicum.
- Classes are held on alternate Saturdays and Sundays.
|
Minimum Educational Qualification
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GCE ‘A’ level with two passes (prior to 2007) or two H2 passes (from 2007), or local Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent
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Undergraduate Degree from a recognised institution
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Entry Requirements
|
- 21 years old and above
- At least 2 years’ working experience
- Sponsored by participating employer
- All trainees will be required to pass the screening phase conducted by UniSIM
|
Work Attachment
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20-hour work week
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4-day work week
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Minimum Service Period*
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24 months
|
15 months
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Credit Exemption for CSS WSQ
|
-
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- Upon course completion of the Graduate Diploma in Social Work course, trainees will be accorded with a total of 75 credits for the 17 competency units in the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) system under the Community and Social Services (CSS) framework.
- Graduates are to produce SIM University degree scroll and transcript to the training provider(s) for exemption of the relevant units.
|
Deadline for UniSIM application^
|
31 Mar 2013
|
7 Apr 2013 (Only for successful PCP applicants)
31 March 2013 (Applicable to the rest)
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*Trainees are committed to serve a bond period upon completion of training.
^Applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee of $53.50 upon applying to UniSIM, regardless of the application outcome.
Funding details
|
Course Fees Funding
|
Graduate Diploma in Social Work
|
For Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents
After government funding, Trainee pays $1,685 (exclusive of GST).
|
Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work
|
For Singapore Citizens:
After government funding, Trainee pays $2,677 (exclusive of GST).
For Permanent Residents:
After government funding, Trainee pays $12,046.50 (exclusive of GST).
|
WDA funds 70% (capped at $1,400 per month) of trainee's gross monthly salary for the duration of training.
Bond Period
Upon completion of training, trainees are to work as Social Workers in either the Social Services sector or Medial Social Workers in the Healthcare sector with their employer for a period no shorter than their course duration.
The application for the 2013 intake will open from 8 February 2013 to 8 March 2013. Interested candidates can apply via the online application portal:
http://app.wda.gov.sg/hrbd/hrbdsw/pcpsw/
Please note that the application will be closed at 1700hrs, 8 March 2013.
Career Previews:
Date
|
Saturday, 23 February 2013 & 2 March 2013
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Time
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10.00 am – 12.00 pm (Registration starts at 9.30am)
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Venue
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SIM University
461 Clementi Road
Singapore 599491
23 February 2013:
UniSIM HQ, Blk B, Level 4, LT 4.37
02 March 2013:
UniSIM HQ, Blk A, Level 1, LT 1.09B
|
Cost
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Free
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Organiser
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WDA, NCSS and UniSIM |
Registration
|
For registration, please e-mail CSS_WSQ@wda.gov.sg with your name, NRIC, mobile number and which preview you would like to attend.
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For enquiries, please contact:
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