The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) formally teamed up with Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to upskill travel professionals with the necessary skills and capabilities to deal with a rapidly evolving industry.

Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding at NATAS Travel Fair 2024. This understanding supports travel agents as they adapt to the changing demands of the industry, whilst building a more resilient and dynamic travel sector.

This agreement between the two agencies combines the NTUC Learning Hub’s (NTUC-LHUB) expertise in providing contextualised workforce training methods with NATAS’ extensive network of member travel agencies in the country.

Aligned goals

According to NATAS president Steven Ler: “[CTP] represents a significant milestone for the travel sector in Singapore, as it heralds a new era of excellence and resilience for the industry. Through our collaboration with NTUC-LHUB, NATAS is confident that the CTP programme will not only elevate the standards of service and professionalism within the travel industry, but also support the continuous growth and innovation that is demanded to position Singapore as a leading global travel destination.”

Mr. Jeremy Ong, CEO of NTUC Learning Hub, NTUC-LHUB CEO Jeremy Ong added: “[We are] honoured to lead the way in providing training for Singapore’s tourism sector in emerging and in-demand skills, reflecting our strong commitment to working alongside industry leaders, government bodies, and the Labour Movement.”

Ong explained that the partnership with NATAS aligns with NTUC-LHUB’s goal to develop programmes aimed at elevating the professionalism of the tourism workforce in the evolving economy.

Introducing professional certification

NATAS and NTUC-LHUB are jointly developing Singapore’s first ever certification programme over the course of the next three years.

The Certified Travel Professional programme aims to assist new entrants in the travel sector, equipping them with the necessary skills to expand available job opportunities.

In the case of those already working in the sector, regular upskilling sessions will bolster their ability to deal with emergent trends.

How to attain certification

To attain the CTP Certification, learners need to take three modules, starting with a mandatory core module on effective strategies for travel professionals, followed by one elective module covering topics ranging from service excellence and sustainability to technology. 

Subsequently, learners will opt for a specialised elective module focusing on either corporate travel or the leisure travel track. Those who successfully completed all three modules will attain Certified Travel Professional – Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel, or Corporate and Leisure Travel status, depending on the specialised elective they choose. 

Recertification is required 18 months following the date of completion of the CTP programme, and learners will need to complete any two elective modules to maintain their certification.