118 union leaders, NTUC-ARU staff and management participants received their certificates for successful completion of respective courses – Advanced Certificate in Industrial Relations (ACIR), OTCi-UniSIM Diploma in Employment Relations (DER) and OTCi-NEX Professional Diploma in Employment Relations (PDER).

This year’s ceremony was graced by Guest of Honour Law and Second Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam. In his address, Mr. Shanmugam congratulated all graduates for completing their courses successfully, and emphasized to union leaders the importance of leadership development. He said that the labour movement has to evolve to address concerns of a better educated and more demanding workforce, and be able to tackle changes as nature of work becomes more complex. He encouraged union leaders to gain good grounding on the fundamental principles of Singapore’s tripartite system, to enhance understanding of the Labour Movement’s priorities, and to work closely with tripartite partners to be effective representatives of workers of Singapore.

Institute Chairman Tharman Shanmugaratnam also commended union leaders for the grit to see themselves successfully through the training programmes while balancing demands at work and family commitments. He also told the stories of how Sister Chua Cher Meng (HSEU) and Brother Raymond See (formerly UWEEI) overcame obstacles to complete their studies (see full stories below). Chairman used the opportunity to thank family members for being the ‘pillars of strength’ for their loved ones as they pursued excellence. He reminded all to preserve the tripartite relationship that has allowed us to act swiftly during crises (e.g. implementation of cut costs save jobs measures like SPUR, Jobs Credit scheme) and for us to emerge stronger from the downturn.

The graduates themselves were thrilled to see fellow classmates again with their family members during the ceremony. Some cited it as a good ‘post-course’ gathering and thanked the Institute for a good ceremony – as they proudly took many photographs with their loved ones, course mates, staff of the Institute and of course, the Ministers present at the ceremony.