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Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) For Social Workers
Fact Sheet for Employees (2015 intake)
(A) About the Professional Conversion Programme for Social Workers (PCP SW) WDA has partnered SIM University (UniSIM) and the Social Service Institute
(SSI) to offer a Place-and-Train Professional Conversion Programme for Social Workers (PCP SW).
The Programme is open to mid-career switchers and aims to train mid-career
individuals to become qualified Social Workers. Candidates must secure employment with a participating employer in order to qualify for the PCP SW.
Upon completion of training, graduates are required to serve a Minimum
Service Period (MSP).
There are two courses offered by UniSIM under this PCP. Both courses are accredited by the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW).
Table 1: Basic Course information
Course Title Target Group Course
Duration Next Intake
1 Graduate Diploma of Social
Work For degree holders only 18 months 25 July 2015 2 Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work For non-degree holders 24 months 20 July 2015
The courses cover theories of human behaviour and social systems, principles of
human rights and social justice, amongst others. Besides classroom training and practicum, PCP SW trainees will be required to undergo on-the-job training at their workplace.
An overview of the PCP SW can be found in Annex A.
(B) Benefits and Opportunities
Social Workers or Medical Social Workers are employed in organisations like family service centres, special education schools, youth centres, sheltered homes and hospitals. Throughout their practice career as a Social Worker, 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.
You may refer to http://www.ncss.gov.sg/social_service_jobs/remuneration.asp for
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(C) Funding Support
Table 2: Breakdown of Course Fee Funding Graduate Diploma of
Social Work (Total course fee =
$16,850 + GST)
Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work
(Total course fee = $31,122 + GST) Singaporean PR Singaporean PR MOE Funds - $17,117.10 (55%) $6,224.40 (20%) WDA Funds $11,795 (70%) $4,668.30 (15%) SSI/ Healthcare Employers Funds $3,370 (20%) $6,224.40 (20%) Trainee Pays $1,685 (10%) (exclusive of GST) $3,112.20(10%) (exclusive of GST) $14,004.90 (45%) (exclusive of GST)
Salary support (for new entrants only) – WDA funds 70% of trainees’ monthly salary (subject to a cap of $2,000).
Singaporeans aged 40 years old and above or unemployed for more than six
months: 90% of monthly salary (subject to a cap of $4,000).
(D) Bond Period and Liquated Damages
Minimum Service Period – Upon completion of training, trainees are to work as Social Workers in either the Social Services sector or the Healthcare sector for a period no shorter than their course duration.
Liquidated Damages - Should a trainee withdraw from the Programme, whether
during the course of study or during the bond period, the trainee will be liable for liquidated damages payable to the sponsoring institution(s). The amount payable will depend on various factors including the costs incurred by WDA, SSI or the employer as well as the terms of the training deed(s).
(E) Application Details for July 2015 intakes
Applications will open from 1 Dec 2014 to 15 Jan 2015.
Interested applicants will apply via the online portal
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By Feb 2015, all applications will be routed to participating employers for short
listing and interviews.
All job placements are to be secured between employer and employee by 15
Mar 2015.
Applicants who have secured employment with a VWO or Hospital will then be
notified to submit an online application to UniSIM by 31 Mar 2015 for Accelerated Bachelor of Social Work and Graduate Diploma of Social Work, and undergo an interview with UniSIM by end Apr 2015.
Applicants must confirm employment and be accepted into UniSIM’s course
before commencement of training in Jul 2015.
Upon applicant’s acceptance into the course, the employer is required to sign an
employment contract with the applicant and to submit a certified true copy of the contract to SSI.
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FAQ for 2015 intake:
1. Why is the PCP SW a Place-and-Train Programme?
The PCP SW operates on a Place-and-Train mode in order to prepare trainees for the job of a Social Worker upon graduation. This ensures that trainees gather prior workplace experiences, and have the opportunity to apply the theories learnt in the course.
2. Will the training be full time or part time? Where will it be conducted?
Training would be on a part-time basis at UniSIM’s campus. The Accelerated Bachelor course is conducted on weekday evenings, three times a week, while the Graduate Diploma course is conducted on Saturdays.
3. Upon completion of the training, what qualification/title can the trainee get? Upon successful completion of training, graduates will be awarded a Graduate Diploma or a Bachelor of Social Work, depending on the course taken. You may wish to contact UniSIM at 6248 9777 and 6248 5783 for more information on ABSWK and GDSWK respectively.
4. Are the courses recognised in Singapore?
Both courses are accredited by the Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board (SWAAB).
5. What is the course content?
Kindly refer to UniSIM’s website (http://www.unisim.edu.sg) for details of the course content.
6. Will I be eligible for funding?
To be eligible for funding, you must be a Singaporean or PR and must first secure employment with a VWO or Hospital, and fulfil UniSIM’s course pre-requisites and requirements, and pass UniSIM’s interview.
7. Is there a bond for the programme? What if I quit the programme midway? Yes, there will be a bond. Trainees will be required to sign a Letter of Undertaking to serve the Minimum Service Period (MSP) with their employer for a duration equivalent to the course duration after graduation, i.e. 24-month bond for the ABSWK and 18-month bond for the GDSWK. If you quit the programme midway, you will be liable to pay liquidated damages which comprise the full course fees and salary support.
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8. If I miss the current intake of the PCP, is there a next round?
There should be another intake in 2016 unless the demand for the programme based on the 2015 take-up is very low.
9. How many vacancies are there for this PCP? There are 40 vacancies for this round of the programme.
10. What will happen to trainees who cannot find jobs in this sector?
This PCP operates under the Place-and-Train mode. This means that trainees will need to be employed by an employer before training begins.
11. How can I find out more information about the PCP and who can I contact? You can find out more information about the PCP from WDA’s website: http://www.wda.gov.sg/pcpsocialwork. Should you require further information, kindly
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For further enquiries, please contact: Enquiries regarding the PCPSW
Singapore Workforce Development Agency 1 Marina Boulevard
#16-01 One Marina Boulevard Singapore 018989
Email: [email protected]
Website : www.wda.gov.sg
Social Service Institute TripleOne Somerset 111 Somerset Road, #04-01 Singapore 238164 Tel: 6589 5500 Email: [email protected] Website : http://www.ncss.gov.sg/social_service_jobs/PCPSW.asp
Enquiries regarding the courses: SIM University
461 Clementi Road Singapore 599491 Website: www.unisim.edu.sg
Tel: 62489777
<Information accurate as of 1 Dec 2014 > 7 Annex A: Overview of PCPSW 2015
Details Accelerated Bachelor of
Social Work
Graduate Diploma of Social Work
Course Commencement 20 July 2015 25 July 2015
Course Duration 24 months 18 months
Course Training Details - 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.
- Classroom + practicum - To graduate, students are
required to complete the 3 pre-requisite modules,6 compulsory modules and any 4 electives and a 400-hour practicum
- Classes are held on Saturdays
Minimum Educational Qualification
- GCE ‘A’ Level with two passes (prior to 2007) or two H2 passes (from 2007), or Local Polytechnic Diploma or equivalent
- Undergraduate Degree from a recognised institution
Entry Requirements - 21 years old and above
- At least 2 years’ working experience (excludes NS) - Sponsored by participating employer
- All trainees will be required to pass the screening phase conducted by UniSIM
Work Attachment (Recommended)
4-day work week 4-day work week
Minimum Service Period* 24 months 18 months
Application for PCPSW 1 Dec 2014 – 15 Jan 2015
Deadline for UniSIM Application** 31 Mar 2015
* Trainees are committed to serve a bond period equivalent to their period of study upon completion
of training.
**A non-refundable application fee of $64.20 will be charged upon applying to UniSIM, regardless of the application outcome.
