ITE helps them turn their lives around to inspire others

Studying at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) helped them develop skills to excel in their professions.

Mr Kristoffer Charles Tian and Miss Donna Lim Yah Hwei both enrolled in the ITE after their N levels.

Studying there helped Mr Tian, 20, learn the skills to realise his dream of becoming a chef.

He said: "Festive meals in my family mainly comprised Western food, so I grew up with a deep appreciation of Western cuisine. It was natural that I would want to enrol in ITE to pursue a National ITE Certificate (Nitec) in Western Culinary Arts after my N levels."

During his Nitec studies, Mr Tian did a four-month internship in 2012 at the French culinary school Institut Paul Bocuse.

That internship cemented his passion for cooking and he enrolled in the Technical Diploma in Culinary Arts programme after getting his Nitec.

He said: "After I get my diploma next year, I have to serve my national service. After that, I plan to go to France to work and learn more about French cuisine."

When Miss Lim, now 35, obtained her N-level results in 1996, she did not do well enough to progress to do her O levels.

She went on to register with ITE Bishan in 1998 and completed her Nitec in Service Skills (Office) in 1999.

She said: "I thought about enrolling in ITE instead as there was a traineeship programme where I could learn a skill and earn a salary at the same time. As I wanted to enter the workforce as soon as possible, I enrolled for the Nitec in Service Skills (Office) programme as it was only one year long."

Miss Lim did a year-long traineeship with OCBC Bank Singapore and it was during this period that she realised that working in the financial sector suited her best

despite not doing well in her mathematics in school.

Based on her good performance at OCBC Bank, Miss Lim applied for other jobs in the banking and finance sector, and also worked with the Singapore Exchange. She is now a bank analyst with financial services company Credit Suisse.

Miss Lim: "Enrolling in ITE gave a happy ending to my life story."

anathan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on December 18, 2015.
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