SINGAPORE: Workers in the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector in Singapore can now pursue related degree courses after they complete their Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) diplomas with At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy.
This is the first time F&B WSQ programmes are being articulated into university degrees.
About 120 trainees from At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, who received their F&B WSQ diplomas from the academy, will also find it faster to obtain a degree.
They only need two years instead of four to get their degrees, which will be conferred by the US-based Johnson & Wales University, one of the world's best culinary institutes.
They can choose to complete their degree on-campus or online.
This will benefit trainees such as 49-year-old Tam Zhi You - the oldest graduate to receive a Diploma in Culinary Arts.
After spending 18 years in the advertising industry, Mr Tam decided to switch to his passion in the culinary arts.
While he has not decided to take up the degree, he admits it will help him achieve his dream of setting up a restaurant in five years.
Obtaining the degree will also allow trainees to cast their net wider when applying for jobs in the F&B industry.
At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy director Kwan Lui said: "They will learn more than just the art and the craft.
"They will learn the theories. They will also be exposed to human resource, financial, restaurant management skills and broader knowledge that they are going to need to move into management (roles)".
