Home Team Training Excellence Awards Ceremony – Speech by Ms Jeannie Tan, Deputy Secretary (Corporate), Ministry of Home Affairs

Chief Executive, Home Team Academy

Home Team colleagues and partners

1. Good afternoon. We come together today to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of our Home Team trainers.

2. Trainers play a crucial role in preparing our Home Team officers to execute their work well and to be ready to take on future challenges. This is in part reflected in Singapore’s standing in both international and local surveys. In 2024, we ranked second in 'Law and Order' in the Gallup's 2024 Global Safety Report."; we also ranked second in “Order and Security” in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. In the latest Public Perception Survey, 94% of the public polled rated the Home Team as effective and 92% rated Home Team officers as professional and fair.

3. These achievements would not be possible without your commitment to maintaining training excellence and developing Home Team officers who can keep Singapore safe and secure.

HTA’s Support for Trainers

4. HTA is equally committed to supporting our trainers, so that we can deliver even better and more effective training for HT officers.

5. HTA is currently rolling out 3 new initiatives.

Sandbox Classroom

(a) First, HTA has set up a new Sandbox classroom where trainers can participate in trials to pilot innovative training concepts, technologies and tools like artificial intelligence, to enhance training delivery and impact. For example, HTA is testing an AI Remote Proctoring System for online classroom assessments. If successful, this would enhance assessment rigour while reaping manpower savings.

Revamped UP-SCALE Programme & Updated FIT Programme

(b) Second, HTA has revamped the UP-SCALE Programme and updated the FIT Programme. Trainers need to be equipped with relevant andragogical skills to deliver effective training so that our officers are able to operate effectively at the frontline.

(i) The revamped UP-SCALE Programme includes comprehensive training on ICT tools like HTLMS2.0, MS Teams and smart classroom technologies.

(ii) The updated FIT Programme incorporates modern instructional methodologies for classroom and field training.

Professional Development Opportunities

(c) HTA is dedicated to enhancing the professional development of trainers. It is collaborating with the Institute of Adult Learning (IAL) to provide more professional training development opportunities to support your continual growth. Starting from next year, new modular training programmes and recognised workplace learning will be stackable towards the attainment of qualifications recognised by Institutes of Higher Learning and professional bodies. I strongly encourage you to seize these opportunities to deepen your Training and Learning expertise and acquire professional recognition.

Recognition of Trainers

6. In addition to the three initiatives to support your professional development as Trainers, we also wish to enhance the recognition given to you for your untiring efforts.

7. We have expanded the HT Training Excellence Awards with new categories for first and second runners-up. This enables more outstanding trainers and training units to be recognised for their achievements in the T&L field.

8. This year, 18 trainers and 10 training units will receive TraX awards for outstanding work. One exemplary trainer is our Home Team Trainer of the Year 1st Runner Up, ASP Koh Hui Ting, from the Singapore Prison Service. When delivering the Coaching Mindsets and Skillsets programme, she used reflective practices to help Prisons officers uncover their strengths so that they can become more effective in their roles.

Conclusion

9. Let me conclude by saying a big “Thank You” to every trainer for your dedication to developing our Home Team officers. Your commitment to professional excellence and innovative practices will shape the effectiveness of the Home Team in keeping Singapore safe and secure.

10. To today’s award winners, congratulations on your outstanding achievements!

11. Thank you.