13 November 2020 was a night of celebration at the ASEAN Business Awards in Hanoi, when some of the region's leading companies were recognised for their contributions to economic growth and prosperity. And this is also the second time, the skills development category was included in these prestigious awards.

In the dynamic ASEAN region, where digitalisation and automation are taking place rapidly, the lack of skilled human resources is also increasing and that impeding the development of companies and entire sectors. The Skills Development Award recognises companies' contribution to building the professional technical and vocational skills of the ASEAN work force. It takes into account that meeting ASEAN's skills requirements today and tomorrow requires cooperation between business enterprises and training systems.

This brochure "ASEAN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AWARD - THE 2020 WINNERS" showcases the winners of the ASEAN Skills Development Award 2020. As the winners show, there are many ways to make a difference - for the benefit of workers, students and businesses alike. We believe that an investment in skills development is an investment for a sustainable future.

The publication is developed in hopes the award winners' stories  will encourage other businesses to follow their lead and invest in building partnerships for sustainable human resource development.

WINNERS

KINDERWORLD VIETNAM JSC, VIETNAM

A business entity centered on education and training with a strong commitment to help under privileged people, young talents, and professionals through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The First Winner of ASEAN Skills Development Award 2020, Large Enterprise
Industry: Education and Training   |   Country: Vietnam

"Aside from developing the business aspect of the company, we remain steadfast in our contribution to social causes. As an education company, we understand that education has a positive impact on society and will continue to contribute through a range of charitable activities ... Throughout our development journey, human capital has always been one of the core foundations of KinderWorld. We continue to invest in the training and development of our people whom we believe form the heart of our organization ..." Tan Teck Yong, Chairman/ CEO

KinderWorld Vietnam ("KinderWorld"), with its roots in 1986 in Singapore, believes in offering the combination of Eastern values and International Outlook in delivering its curriculum and education programs. To date, KinderWorld has grown extensively in Vietnam providing education from Pre-Nursery to High School, Vocational & Higher Education and Outdoor Experiential Learning. The Company operates 15 schools under the brand names of Singapore International School, KinderWorld International Kindergarten, Singapore Vietnam International School in 8 cities in Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long, Danang, Nha Trang, Binh Duong, Vung Tau and Can As such, KinderWorld contributes to the human capital development of Vietnam and the region through: (1) Training global citizens via K-12 programs, (2) Vocational Skills training; (3) Enhancing holistic education program through experiential outdoor learning.

With the mission to be a forward-looking education institution embracing innovative teaching pedagogies in a creative and challenging environment and instituting life-long learning to enable students to reach their fullest potential, KinderWorld continues to reach out to a wider community in ASEANand beyond. 

The organisation contributes to the local community by implementing its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts awarding thousands of scholarships, sponsorships, and donations worth over SGD 2 million to underprivileged people, young talents and professionals

The jury's judgement: KinderWorld Vietnam has impacted skills development activities, both to the company human resources and to the local community.

KinderWorld International Group (holding company of KinderWorld Vietnam)

Established: 1986

Number of institutions: 19 (Including Pegasus and OBV) Number of employees: 1000 - 1500

Skills development activities:

• Training and developing global citizens
• Vocational skills training
• Outdoor experiential learning program

AN PHAT HOLDINGS

The Southeast Asia leading high-tech and environmentally friendly plastic Group with a strong relationship with public education sectors offering learning opportunities. 

The Second Winner of ASEAN Skills Development Award 2020, Large Enterprise
Industry: Education and Training   |   Country: Vietnam

"While continue advancing the performance of the company in eco-friendly plastic production we are committed to adress sustainability and to offer skills development for young generation and community members who are in need". Pham Do Huy Chong, Standing Deputy CEO & CFO

An Phat Holdings is a leading plastic manufacturer in Southeast Asia. Now, the company is focusing on compostable products and materials, and packaging, precision engineering and molds, logistics, industrial real estate, raw materials and chemicals for plastic industry. At present, the Group is also promoting the research and development of green products and materials as well.

As a leading company in the field of advanced technology and environmentally friendly plastic production in the region, An Phat Holdings is also committed to contribute to skills development to the surrounding community. The company offers opportunities for students from technical colleges and universities to participate in internship, apprenticeship, and career orientation programmes, as well as for teachers from technical or vocational training  colleges to have  industry exposure in the company.

Areas of internship and guided apprenticeship programs:

• The process of polymer spare-parts productions
• Mold design
• Working in research and development
• Programming
• CNC machines

The jury's judgement: The company has been successfully striking a balance between high and quality production, social commitment, and skills development.

Profile

Established: 2002

Number of employees: More than 5,000

Skills development activities:

• Internships
• Apprenticeships
• Teacher industry exposure programs

SHALOM INTERNATIONAL MOVERS

A company working in field of logistics that believes in investing in people to stay competitive

The First Winner of ASEAN Skills Development Award 2020, Small and Medium Enterprise
Industry: Logistics  |   Country: Singapore

'We believe and invest in skills development because we view our employees as our greatest assets. With the proliferation of technology and rising competitions, our company has to uplift the skil/set of our people to accentuate agility to grow with disruptive innovations." Gideon Lam, CEO

Shalom International Movers has been a trusted moving and storage business in Singapore since 1982. Embracing change and disruptive technologies from the start, the company has since evolved and widened its portfolio to encompass other services such as moving, freight forwarding, shipping and e-commerce logistics.

Its commitment to skills development that made the company received ABA-SDA 2019. This continued commitment has been manifested in the development of its people; for that the company deserves to receive ABA-SDA 2020. Lifelong learning is one of its six corporate values and developing the workforce's skills has always been a priority. Shalom has partnered with Singapore's Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to create courses which offer its employees better career opportunities within the company or the industry. This approach has paid off: more than 25 per cent of its employees stay for more than 10 years - in an industry which typically sees a high turnover rate.

The company has become an approved training organisation accredited under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications System (WSQ) and has used the Skills Framework for Logistics to identify current and relevant skills to design learning programmes for its staff. To encourage the staff to embrace technology, the staff attended the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace programme which helped build digital confidence in those who are not technologically-savvy.

Cooperation with the public education and training system is vital for Shalom's corporate strategy, so the company works with schools and colleges, including ITE, for internships and apprenticeships (Work-Learn Technical Diploma) and the Republic Polytechnic (Earn and Learn Programme). Together with the Singapore Logistics Association, Shalom Movers participated in the Supply Chain Challenge 2019 as a mentor for students from Singapore Polytechnic, who won first place in the 2019 competition.                                                                          

Shalom International Movers has been honoured with various awards, including Great Place to Learn certification and the SkillsFuture Employer Award 2019, and ASEAN Busineness Award-Skills Development Awards 2019 which recognise outstanding organisations which champion skills development and a lifelong learning culture in the workplace.

The jury's judgement: Shalom International Movers is an outstanding example of how to sustain commitment to skills development for the company and for the future generation.

Profile

Established: 1982

Number of employees: around 200 

Skills development activities:

• accredited training provider
• certified on-the-job training centre, designs learning programmes for students
•  apprenticeships

 ANGSANA MAISON SOUVANNAPHOUm

A hotel business that focuses on staff personal development and care for the community sustainability

The Second Winner of ASEAN Skills Development Award 2020, Small and Medium Enterprise

Industry: Hospitality and Tourism |   Country: Lao PDR

"We not only focus on our vision to energize our guests with the sincerest charm of friendship in our authentic environment, but we also try to achieve UNDP Sustainable Development Goals; the nation needs our help to achieve these goals. There are many people still struggling for the most basic human needs. If our associates and students have knowledge, skills and experience, they sure get an equitable pay, then they can end poverty.'" Nopparat Aumpa, SAVP/GM at Banyan Tree Bangkok in Bangkok,Thailand Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum is a unique boutique hotel established in 2004 that offers luxurious accommodation and facilities, as well as provides training for all associates and students from local technical college and university. The company sets an annual budget as much as 4 per cent of the total revenue for upskilling and re-skilling all levels of associates and students.

The hotel collaborates with a local technical and vocational college and a university for internship programmes and dual-cooperative training for selected students from the technical and vocational college. The internships are well structured in various areas of the hotel operations, from food and beverage production and services to housekeeping, engineering, other technical skills, and in business related areas.

In addition to providing internships, the company also offers mentoring by matching the students with the hotel associates under the company's term, called 'seedlings' programme, to inspire and guide the students. There are two stages in seedling: stage 1 is for students 12 to 16 years old, and stage 2 is for students aged 16 to 18. During the stage 2, students undertake internships by doing some work and gain greater practical experience in their chosen vocation. During both stages the hotel supports their school fees.

The hotel also participates in curriculum development and review for the technical vocational college through guest lectures to the college; it provides orientation to TVET students and supports the school by building infrastructure and facilities.

The jury's judgement: Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum has done a remarkable job in providing capacity building for all management and associates of the hotel. Besides, the hotel is also committed to provide training for TVET and university students using various modalities, including orientations, internships, seedling programmes and dual cooperative training.

Profile

Established: 2004

Number of associates: 48

Skills development activities:

• Orientation
• Internship
• Dual Cooperative Training
• Seedlings

Areas covered:

• Food and Beverage
• Accounting
• Economics
• Tourism
• Electrical, other technical