Poly students get lift from Tiger Airways 

Others have internships with foreign airlines, Changi Airport and the IRs

By Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent May 22, 2009

These 13 students are now jetting off with Tiger as cabin crew, after a six-week training and certification programme. -- PHOTO: TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC

POLYTECHNIC students are taking to the skies in a new tie-up with Tiger Airways, giving them a chance to experience the industry they are entering into first-hand.

Tertiary institutions in Singapore that offer aviation and hospitality courses have set up internship programmes with Changi Airport, airlines and the integrated resorts (IRs).

All 79 final-year students enrolled in Temasek Polytechnic's aviation programme have started their six-month internships, said programme head Paul Yap.

Thirteen of them are now flying with Tiger as cabin crew - following a six-week training and certification programme - and the rest are attached to Changi Airport or doing ground work for other carriers such as Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways, he added.

Marina Bay Sands, which is set to open later this year, will also offer internships.

Meanwhile, Resorts World at Sentosa has already sent 45 students from Nanyang, Temasek, Singapore and Ngee Ann polytechnics, as well as the Tourism Academy, to the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando, Florida.

When it opens next year, the Sentosa IR will feature Universal's first movie theme park in South-east Asia, among other attractions.

As part of their four-month stint in the United States which started in March, the second- and third-year students are doing everything from waiting tables and running food carts to picking up litter and making sure that everyone is safely belted up for the rides.

Singapore Poly's Chen Tian Yi, 23, said of the programme: 'It helps me gain valuable insight into the tourism industry and allows me to put into practice what I have learnt in school.'

Ngee Ann Poly's Citra Rahayu, 19, hopes the experience will help her land a full-time job at the Sentosa IR.

There is no reason not to hire them if they do well, said the spokesman for Resorts World at Sentosa, Mr Robin Goh.

Such tie-ups with the schools are important, he said, adding: 'In the long term, this overseas training will expand the exposure, knowledge and skill sets of the younger generation - an important start to raising the hospitality service standards for the Singapore workforce.'

Apart from interning with airlines and the IRs, polytechnic students have similar opportunities on cruise ships and in restaurants, among other sectors.

Tiger's head of communications, MrMatthew Hobbs, said the airline's partnership with Temasek Polytechnic helps to develop a pool of trained and flexible cabin crew.

He said: 'At the end of the programme, the interns can opt to work on a part-time basis on their free days while they complete their studies.'

Temasek Poly's Chia Meng Yu, 19, is looking forward to the opportunity.

'It has always been my dream, since I was little, to be a Singapore Airlines Girl. With this internship, half my dream has come true. It will be fulfilled when I get to wear a kebaya.'

karam@sph.com.sg