Heaptalk, Jakarta — JUMBO Group of Restaurants launches JUMBO Academy as an incubator of talents in Singapore’s F&B industry by deepening its advocacy for and promoting Asian culinary and hospitality training. This program aims to attract more talents looking for F&B careers by offering upskilling, reskilling, internship, and scholarship opportunities open to students and aspiring mid-career professionals.
The Guest of Honour graces this launch, Ms. Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). JUMBO Academy is a homegrown training institute that cultivates a skilled F&B workforce.
Upskilling and Reskilling: Developing a Resilient F&B Workforce
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s 2022 National Day message emphasized the importance of upskilling and reskilling to sustain Singapore’s economic progress. In the Budget 2024 speech, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong highlighted SkillsFuture as one of the initiatives to provide upskilling support for employers and individuals, showing the government’s continued efforts to boost workforce resilience and development.
Mr. Ang Kiam Meng, Group Chief Executive Officer of JUMBO Group of Restaurants, expresses the Group’s efforts in support of the lifelong learning vision: “Building on our 30-year tradition of ‘Bonding people through food,’ JUMBO is dedicated to nurturing talent in culinary and hospitality excellence through our industry expertise.”
“We believe food connects people and are committed to shaping the future of this experience. Through JUMBO Academy, The Heart of Asian Hospitality, we will honor tradition while driving innovation to elevate Singapore’s status as a food paradise.”
Accessible and Applicable: Providing funding, sponsorships, and hands-on experience
JUMBO Group believes that quality education should be accessible to everyone. As a Registered Training Provider, the Group works closely with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to provide course fee funding and grants to individuals and employers. JUMBO Group also works with Workforce Singapore (WSG) to leverage the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) to reskill mid-career workers. With the new JUMBO Academy, existing workers can be trained to take on higher-value jobs that provide good career prospects.
For those keen on exploring the world of F&B management, JUMBO Academy offers scholarships under its Management Associates Programm, which supports trainees through a fully sponsored education (diploma or degree) in a relevant field of study. Aspiring individuals within JUMBO Group will also be offered a chance to join the Fast Track Programme, which provides accelerated pathways for career advancement within JUMBO Group.
JUMBO also focuses on practical applicability across its programs by adopting an innovative training approach that combines classroom teaching and hands-on practice. Such immersive experiences empower trainees with industry-standard skills and the confidence to step into their F&B career roles with readily useable skills.
In 2023, JUMBO was awarded the “Certified On-the-Job Training Centre” status by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). This status affirms JUMBO’s role as an industry leader in providing holistic workplace learning to support its trainees’ professional growth and personal development.
JUMBO x ITE partnership: Some 1,000 students to benefit over three years
Through a longstanding partnership, JUMBO has empowered ITE students in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Operations by providing practical learning experiences beyond textbooks, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue their aspirations and thrive within the F&B industry.
During the JUMBO Academy launch ceremony on 27 March 2024, the two organizations also announced their continued collaboration by signing a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Under the MOU, both parties will commit to innovative initiatives such as the new JUMBO internship awards, internship opportunities, workshops, and learning journeys for some 1,000 ITE students.
“We are pleased to ink our partnership with JUMBO as part of our commitment to nurturing culinary talents. The internship opportunities, internship awards, learning journeys, and chef demo workshops offered by JUMBO, together with joint efforts such as food hackathons, will enrich our student’s learning experiences and enhance their motivation and passion as they embark on their culinary careers” says Ms. Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer of ITE.
JUMBO and ITE will also continue its “JUMBO x ITE Culinary Hackathon,” a sustainability-themed challenge for ITE students first held in 2023. Through such out-of-classroom activities, the partners hope to inspire participants to become creative problem solvers facing challenges expected in the dynamic F&B industry.
