Ascott Centre for Excellence in Singapore — Photo by The Ascott Limited

Ascott Centre for Excellence (ACE) has seen a 400% year-on-year increase in participants to 1,300 since January 2020. ACE has doubled its class size and adopted online training methods to conduct home-based learning to continue upskilling Singapore's hospitality sector amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

ACE is the global hospitality training arm of The Ascott Limited (Ascott). It is also a Continuing Education and Training (CET) centre approved by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), specialising in training for the Hotel and Accommodation Services Sector. As a CET Centre, ACE also provides training for the industry and the public.

"ACE is committed to helping companies and employees in Singapore's hospitality industry upgrade their skills to remain adaptable and be better equipped for post COVID-19 and the future. Since January, the demand for our training programmes has increased significantly as more companies invest in developing their staff during this downtime. The adoption of online training also enabled us to cater to this demand. When we moved our classroom training online, our class size doubled to 40 persons. " - Mr Willie Ong, Vice President, Ascott Centre for Excellence

Mr Ong added: "Being part of Ascott which operates serviced residences and hotels worldwide, ACE's trainers can share actual operational situations and best practices, going beyond theory to ensure the participants understand the latest trends and developments in the industry. For those who are new to the industry or are unsure of what modules to take, ACE also provides career counselling and help them match their areas of interest to the demands and requirements from the industry. Participants also get a chance to do a practicum at Ascott's properties, giving them a hands-on experience and job placement opportunities."

The training participants comprise a mix of operations staff and back-of-house staff, from non-executives to managerial levels. A participant from a local five-star hotel who attended the course on 'Supervising for Results' said: "I have been through many different trainings and I must say ACE's lesson is truly impressive. I found the course very helpful and the notes were great in ensuring I was on track. I am impressed at how the trainer kept the lesson so engaging, even though it was an online web-based learning. The online activities also kept everyone interested. It is rare to see a trainer being able to keep everyone involved and the trainer made us feel very comfortable speaking out and expressing our thoughts and opinions."

A training manager from a local hotel from an international chain said: "The trainer and ACE provided an exceptional, holistic and seamless approach to training during these trying times. All my colleagues who have attended the courses with ACE have given great feedback to my General Manager and also to my Human Resource department. We will continue to send our colleagues for the upcoming courses with ACE as we feel that they truly provide exceptional support throughout the online training process."

Participants who attended ACE's training programmes this year were largely from hotels that tapped the Enhanced Training Support Package (ETSP) to upgrade the skills of their staff. The ETSP is part of the Stabilisation and Support Package and supplementary Resilience Budget announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in March 2020. SSG subsidises 90% of the course fee and companies can claim the staff's salary whilst they attend training at 10% of their basic hourly salary, subject to a maximum of S$10 per hour. Popular courses at ACE under the ETSP include 'WSQ Handle Guest Concerns and Feedback', 'Coach-the-Coach' and 'Supervising for Results'.

Since its opening in 2008, ACE has trained and certified close to 14,200 staff from over 170 hospitality companies (including staff from Ascott), as well as about 3,750 participants from the public looking for a career in the hospitality industry in Singapore.

ACE offers the full range of Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) programmes on hotel and accommodation services, ranging from modular to higher certificate and diploma courses. ACE also works with hotels and organisations to customise programmes for their staff.

For more information on ACE, pls visit: https://www.ascott-ace.com/aboutus/

About The Ascott Limited

Since pioneering Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with more than 940 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott's presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.

Ascott's diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, co-living properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Quest, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Preference, Fox, Harris, POP!, Vertu and Yello; and it has a brand partnership with Domitys. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.

A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.

For more information on Ascott's industry record of 40 years and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

About CapitaLand Investment Limited

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 September 2023, CLI had S$133 billion of real estate assets under management, and S$90 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts, and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres.

CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and its full stack of operating capabilities, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand's development arm.

As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.

Visit http://www.capitalandinvest.com/ for more information.