Erwin Yap Wei Min has come a long way since graduating from PSB Academy in 2003. Now a Senior Manager in the public healthcare sector, Erwin recalls how continuous education has benefited his career.
It all started when Erwin was looking to upgrade himself while working as an Assistant Manager at a café at Grand Hyatt Singapore in 2000. “I did my research and found that PSB Academy provides courses for working professionals to achieve their educational goals,” he recounted. “As I obtained my Diploma in Hotel Management previously, I felt that an Advanced Diploma in Business Studies would be the right course for me to upgrade my skills.”
It turned out to be the right decision as the advanced diploma had given him a myriad of skills and knowledge. “It has enabled me to apply the concepts and principles of business and management in my previous hospitality and consultancy employment, and in my current career,” he explained. “It has not only equipped me with strong communications, analytical and critical thinking skills, but also helped me in my current job in the areas of problem solving, decision making, logical thinking and presentation skills.”
Erwin cited an example when he was offered an opportunity to lead a struggling banquet department as an Assistant Director of F&B in Shanghai, China in 2008. He recalled, “The department had many issues, such as manpower, management, leadership and maintenance. It took me three months to revamp the whole department, implementing a proper management style of work and a set or protocols to follow that resulted in many compliments from satisfied customers.”
Erwin’s improved credentials also gave him the opportunity to lead a team where he demonstrated his capabilities as a Food and Beverage Consultant in 2016. He said, “I would say my greatest and most rewarding work achievement so far is to be able to train a successful team, create several best practice company training programmes and assist my business clients to set up many successful businesses.”
After leaving the hospitality industry, Erwin took on a Senior Manager role at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore, where he is responsible for its Home Recovery Task Group, which executes and maintains safe and effective Home Recovery operations for Covid-19 patients. “Our objectives ensure that suitable Covid-19 patients can isolate and recover safely in their homes through a centrally managed programme,” he said. “I also help to preserve hospital and acute care capacity and resources to optimise overall health outcomes of the population during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Erwin’s experiences told him that career progression is not solely determined by the institution you graduated from, but the ability to perform at work. “Although better grades will look good on paper, they certainly do not reflect one’s potential at work. If you’re thinking of furthering your studies,it is important to understand your short-term and long-term goals, know your strengths and weaknesses, and stay focused in whatever you do,” he advised.
Ultimately, Erwin has his education to thank for his career success. “Studying at PSB Academy has really helped me to be more confident and knowledgeable, with the ability to apply what I’ve learnt to my career, thus making me the person I am today.”
Erwin is one of the 200,000 learners at PSB Academy. Be part of our growing family today.
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