Information for VWOs

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NCSS's Manpower Initiatives for VWOs’ Participation

As part of NCSS’s initiatives to build capabilities of the social service sector, we are inviting member-VWOs to participate as employers in NCSS manpower schemes to meet the manpower needs of the organisation.

VWOs will have the opportunity to recruit Social Workers and Social Work Associates through participation in the following schemes:

	Social Work Training Scholarship (SWTS)
	Professional Conversion Programme for Social Workers (PCPSW)
	Social Work Associate Training Sponsorship (SWATS)

SOCIAL WORK TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP (SWTS)

MCYS and NCSS introduced this training scholarship for the study of Social Work. The scheme is intended to provide a window into social work as a profession in the social service sector and professional opportunities that abound in the sector.

The training scholarship is offered to social work undergraduates from National University of Singapore (NUS) and SIM University (UniSIM) who are in their 2nd, 3rd or Honours year of study. It is tenable for up to two academic years but may be extended, though not beyond three academic years. Third-year extensions are granted by the Scholarship Panel on a limited basis for strong academic reasons and subject to support of future employers that scholars had been matched with.

Upon completion of study, the scholars will serve their bond at the matched VWOs. The bond duration is proportional to the number of years of funding support received by the scholars as part of the scholarship. For example, if a scholar is supported for one year of study, then the bond will only be for a period of one year.

Key Information for Participating Employers

NCSS-member VWOs can participate as an employer in the Social Work Training Scholarship (SWTS). To participate, download the VWO Reply Form and email the completed form to Ms Mariana Amin at mariana_amin@ncss.gov.sg by 12 Aug 2011.

As a participating employer, the organisation’s name will be listed on NCSS’s website and included in the scheme’s publicity.

Interested students will submit their application form to NCSS. Applications of eligible candidates will be sent to participating VWOs for short listing process.

NCSS will invite applicants who are shortlisted by participating VWOs to the interview. Participating VWOs will have to send their representatives to interview and select suitable candidates for their organisations. After the interview, the VWOs will have to submit their preferred candidates to NCSS.

The scholarship will be awarded upon successful match of the candidates to the participating VWOs.

Please refer to Annex A for the detailed key steps to participate as an employer.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Funding Details

Upon completion of their study, the scholar will then commence work at the VWO as a full-time employee of the VWO. Hence, the employer VWO will be required to pay the monthly salary to the scholar and provide the same benefits as other employees of the organisation.

Contact Details

For enquiries pertaining to the Social Work Training Scholarship (SWTS), please contact Ms Mariana Amin at mariana_amin@ncss.gov.sg.

PROFESSIONAL CONVERSION PROGRAMME (PCP) FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

With the increasing affluence and rising social challenges in Singapore, the need for professional social workers has grown significantly.

To meet the industry’s demand for social workers, NCSS has partnered the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and UniSIM and to offer a Place-and-Train Professional Conversion Programme for Social Workers (PCPSW). The programme aims to equip individuals, who are not from the community and social service sector, with the necessary skills to become qualified Social Workers.

As the PCPSW is a Place-and-Train Programme, interested individuals must secure employment with a participating VWO before applying to UniSIM for the Accelerated Bachelor in Social Work (ABSWK) or Graduate Diploma in Social Work (GDSWK). Full details and application information to participate as a PCP trainee can be found at www.wda.gov.sg.

To participate as an employing VWO, please read on for further information or click here.

Key Information for Participating Employers

NCSS Member VWOs are invited to participate as an employer under the Professional Conversion Programme for Social Workers (PCPSW).

As a participating VWO employer, your organisation’s name will be listed on WDA’s website from 6 Feb - 9 Mar 2012. During this period, individuals interested in being on the PCPSW scheme will submit their resume online, indicating their preferred choice of the sub-sector in which they are keen to work in. NCSS will forward these applications to the respective VWOs for their review, screening and interview.

After the interviews, VWOs are highly encouraged to submit their list of selected candidates before 30 Mar 2012, as the allocation of training places is based on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to the PCP applicant fulfilling all eligibility requirements.

Upon the PCP applicant's acceptance into UniSIM’s course, NCSS will inform the VWO to proceed to send the ‘Letter of Appointment’ and other relevant documents to the candidate.

Successful applicants placed under the PCPSW scheme will be required to serve their Minimum Service Period in the community and social service sector, upon completion of their studies. Hence, they will have to sign a deed with WDA and Letter of Undertaking with NCSS.

Please refer to the following documents for more information:

	Annex A - Important Dates for Participating VWOs
	Annex B - Information on Course Programmes under PCPSW

Funding Details

The course fees for the successful PCP applicants will be subsidised and they will receive a monthly allowance during the training period. The funding structure is as follows:

ABSWK	Total Course Fee = $26,130^# + GST
ABSWK	Singapore Citizens	Permanent Residents
Funding by MOE^#	$10,452	$5,226
Funding by MOE^#	(40%)	(20%)
Funding by WDA^#	$10,452	$10,452
Funding by WDA^#	(40%)	(40%)
Nett Fee by Employer^#	$2,796	$2,796
Nett Fee by Employer^#	(10%+ GST)	(10% + GST)
Nett Fee by Trainee^#	$2,796	$8,388
Nett Fee by Trainee^#	(10% + GST)	(30% + GST)

^#Subject to confirmation

GDSWK	Total Course fee = $16,850 + GST
	Singapore Citizens	Permanent Residents
Funding by WDA	$13,480	$13,480
	(80%)	(80%)
Funding by NCSS*	$1,685*	-
	(10%)
Nett Fee by Employer*	-	$1,803
		(10% + GST)
Nett Fee by Trainee*	$1,803*	$1,803
	(10% + GST)	(10% + GST)

* Subject to confirmation

How to Participate

Please complete this VWO Participation Reply Form and email it to pamela_biswas@ncss.gov.sg. The closing date for the submission of the VWO Participation Reply Form is 4 Jan 2012.

SOCIAL WORK ASSOCIATE TRAINING SPONSORSHIP (SWATS)

Participation for SWATS 2011 has closed.

In 2010, the Social Work Associate Training Sponsorship (SWATS) was introduced by NCSS, with the support of MCYS, to help build capabilities in the social service sector.

The sponsorship is offered to students who have gained course admission into the the Diploma in Social Sciences (Social Work) at Nanyang Polytechnic. The 2nd intake of students had commenced their three-year study in April 2011. Click here to view the course details.

Students of this programme are equipped with relevant skills and knowledge to be trained Social Work Associates. Upon completion of study, they may also take up the positions of programme executives, volunteer coordinators, community development executives, etc.

Key Information for Participating Employers

NCSS-member VWOs can participate as an employer in the Social Work Associate Training Sponsorship (SWATS).

Participating VWOs will be able to interview and select suitable candidates for their organisations. Upon completion of their studies, the sponsored student will be serving a one-year bond at the matched VWO. VWOs will be required to provide field placements for the student during their 2nd and 3rd year of study.

Funding Details

Upon completion of the three-year study, the student will then commence work at the VWO as a full-time employee of the VWO. Hence, the employer VWO will be required to pay the monthly salary to the student.

Contact Details

For enquiries pertaining to the Social Work Associate Training Sponsorship (SWATS), please contact Ms Pamela Biswas at pamela_biswas@ncss.gov.sg.