Ludus Lab’s programmes grew from a successful pilot project where, a year ago, three individuals with disabilities inspired visitors as Enabling Village Tour guides. Photo Credit: Ludus Lab
Ludus Lab Singapore, co-founded by Yock Song Law, has launched an
innovative programme to train persons with disabilities (PWDs) for
frontline tourism roles. The initiative, endorsed by SG Enable's
Enabling Academy, aims to address the industry's staffing needs while
promoting inclusivity.
Yock, also head of partnerships & business development at Tribe
Tours, explained that the programme grew out of a successful pilot
project. A year ago, three individuals with disabilities became guides
for the Enabling Village Tour, inspiring both local and international
visitors. This experience convinced Yock and his team that there was
potential for a broader, more structured programme.
"We started a year ago with a 2-page, 1.5days training plan for
them," Law explained. "Today, we're building a structured training
programme specifically designed for PWDs to thrive in tourism's
frontline."
The 3-day Tourism Soft Skills Training programme prepares
participants for roles such as tour guide, customer service
representative, and event hospitality staff. Yock's research revealed a
significant gap in the market. Many event organisers and venue providers
currently rely on temporary, untrained staff or students. However,
there's a strong demand for workers with better qualifications and soft
skills.
Yock sees this as a win-win situation. PWDs gain valuable employment
opportunities, while the industry benefits from a pool of trained,
motivated staff. He envisions a future where "attractions and MICE
events [are] buzzing with talent, all while tackling that pesky manpower
shortage with short-term opportunities!"
Two cohorts are scheduled for August 20-22 and September 23-25, 2024.
The programme is heavily subsidised for PWDs, making it widely
accessible.
Yock encourages industry professionals to spread the word, stating,
"If you know a person with determination with a strong passion for
interacting with people and who's ready to conquer the tourism industry;
or if you're an organisation seeking a fresh wave of talented PWDs for
short-term gigs, let's chat!"
For more information or to get involved, interested parties can contact Ludus Lab at https://luduslab.sg/
Source: Travel Weekly Asia