1. Who is SIRS? Is it a private commercial school? Where are you located?

The Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) was set up by the government in January 2006 and is the first Continuing Education and Training (CET) Institute for retail.

SIRS was jointly established by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) with the aim to build a world-class and customer-centric retail workforce for Singapore through various skills-upgrading programs and services for the industry.

SIRS is located at 490, Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #08-11, HDB Hub Biz Three, and Singapore 310490. Please use Biz Three Lift Lobby 1 to reach our office.

2. What is Retail WSQ Qualification?

As an institute for the retail sector, our training programs are aligned to meet the nationally recognized qualification in Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) for retail.

The WSQ for retail is a nationally recognized certification which is skills & competency based. It complements the pre-employment training delivered through our national education system by focusing on job competencies (i.e. having the abilities to do the job well) that encompass employability, occupational and industry skills.

3. Who will benefit from the Retail WSQ program?

Everyone, including those without academic qualifications can benefit from WSQ. This is possible because WSQ recognizes past training and current credentials in addition to other academic achievements

4. Must I complete the full program or can I choose to do certain module(s)?

No, you need not apply only for full program.

SIRS welcomes participants and course nominations from public and retail sector companies respectively to register for any Retail WSQ (Workforce Skills Qualifications) unit / module as desired to raise skill levels & competencies of the workforce. This open and easy accessibility to training is the key feature of SIRS training model. SIRS encourages an open access approach to public wanting to enroll in WSQ modules / units or full program.

If you meet the WSQ unit assessment requirements, you will be awarded a Statement of Attainment (SOA) for each module.

5. What are the modules offered in the various program?

Please access the SIRS website at www.sirs.edu.sg and click on the option of “COURSE & PROGRAM” followed by the option on “Downloads” in order to view the modules offered in the various program.

6. Do employers recognize the WSQ Retail qualification?

Yes, all retail sector employers know of WSQ units & qualifications & recognize them. WSQ retail qualifications competencies are developed by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) with employers input and contributions. WSQ qualifications are endorsed by employers, unions, and industry associations in the retail industry.

7. Can I get a job straight away after I get WSQ retail qualifications?

The chances of getting a job with training in WSQ qualifications are indeed very bright. SIRS will certify that you are competent in the units you have successfully attained your Statement of Attainments (SOAs). With SIRS certifying the facts, you will be able to attend interviews with the employers who are recruiting all the time. SIRS can also assist you in your job placement through our SIRS Career Services Centre.

8. What are the full qualifications under WSQ Retail?

SIRS offers the following formal certification:
- Certificate in Retail Operations (CRO)
- Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision (ACRS)
- Diploma in Retail Management (DRM)

9. What is the duration of the Certificate in Retail Operation (CRO)?

The Certificate in Retail Operations will take about 6 weeks to complete on a Full Time (FT) basis and about 16 weeks to complete on a Part Time (PT) basis. (Based on three lessons per week - FT: 9am-6pm; PT: 7pm-10pm)

10. What is the duration of the Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision (ACRS)?

The Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision will take about 10 weeks to complete on a Full Time (FT) basis and about 27 weeks to complete on a Part Time (PT) basis. (Based on three lessons per week - FT: 9am-6pm; PT: 7pm-10pm)

11. What is the duration of the Diploma in Retail Management (DRM)? And Duration of WSQ modules if I am interested only in single or multiple units.

The Diploma in Retail Management will take about 14 weeks to complete on a Full Time (FT) basis and about 34 weeks to complete on a Part Time (PT) basis. (Based on three lessons per week - FT: 9am-6pm; PT: 7pm-10pm)

WSQ modules range from 8 to 40 training hrs. SIRS will be pleased to offer assistance to choose WSQ units of combination that will help you to prepare for employment.

12. Can I enroll for Certificate or Advanced Certificate or Diploma program on full time basis?

Yes. SIRS offers public run full-time Certificate, Advanced Certificate and Diploma Programs. Please access the SIRS website at www.sirs.edu.sg and click on the option of “COURSE SCHEDULE” to view the tentative schedule.

13. Where are the classes conducted?

The classes are conducted in our training facility located at #08-11, Biz Centre 3 of the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh. Courses or classes can be conducted at company premises or venue of choice on request.

14. Where can I get more detailed Information on courses and course schedule?

You can obtain more information on our courses and schedules from our website: www.sirs.edu.sg, or visit our Career Centre located at #08-11, Biz Three of the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, or call us on Tel No: 6513-1474, 6513-1472 & 6513-1454. Our trained Career Centre Officers will be glad to assist you.

15. What is the difference between a Diploma offered by Polytechnics & WSQ Diploma?

Retail WSQ program is a competency-based training program. Knowledge and attitudes required for various occupations at every level in the retail industry are delivered to workforce with different skills profile. These competencies are developed by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and endorsed by employers, unions and industry associations in the retail industry. They are also translated into training modules to enable a worker to develop the required competencies to do his job well.

The WSQ Diploma also recognises past training and current credentials in addition to academic achievements. In the case of Polytechnic diploma courses, these are targeted at secondary school leavers with entry requirement of minimum 5 O levels. The polytechnic courses are full time courses which are longer, and where academic focus takes prominence, unlike WSQ qualifications which competency & skills take the centre stage.

16. What are course fees for each module under the Certificate in Retail Operations, Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision or Diploma in Retail Management?

The course fee is $15.00 (+ GST as per prevailing rates) per participant / per module. This fee is quoted based on the funding from Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) which is currently at almost 90% in subsidy by the government and is applicable to Singaporeans & PRs only.

The total course fee will depend on the number of modules taken by the participant. As for foreigners, the course fee is $343 (+ prevailing GST) per module.

17. Will SIRS help me to get a job after my WSQ courses?

Course participants can request for employment assistance with SIRS’ Career Services Centre by completing an Employment Assistance Request form. In order for SIRS to provide employment assistance, participants will have to agree to the terms and conditions stated in the employment assistance form. Career Services Centre will assist in placing participants with potential employers in the retail sector who are recruiting.

SIRS’ Career Services Centre also provides career guidance for individuals seeking a career in retail and those considering a career move from another industry or within the retail industry. This includes facilitating placements for individuals trained by SIRS, so that they can gain employment in the retail industry after training.

Individuals can obtain information about and advice on issues like the current retail employment situation, job opportunities etc. We have a team of professional career services officers who will advise and guide potential jobseekers. SIRS’ career guidance is a free service.

18. I am over 50 years old - Am I too old for the course?

No. An individual's application will be evaluated together with all the other applications received by our institute to determine their suitability for admission into our programs. Applicants may also be invited to attend an Admission Interview as part of the process of evaluation.

19. What is the schedule of the full programs?

We have planned about 1 full-time and 1 part-time program under each level per quarter. However, SIRS reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule the courses in the event that we do not have sufficient participants to start the program. Our minimum class size is about 20 -25 per program.

Please access the SIRS website at www.sirs.edu.sg and click on the option of “COURSE SCHEDULE” to view the tentative schedule.

You can also choose to take single or multiple WSQ modules or units under our open access route and need not follow full qualification route only. This approach will help to be more job ready and you can upgrade yourself at your pace to get WSQ full qualifications.

20. Is there any entry requirement for the full WSQ programs?

The objective of the Retail WSQ programs is to upgrade the skills of the retail workforce or to provide training to those who are interested in joining the retail workforce. Hence entry to WSQ courses are without any prescribed conditions & pre requisites.

However, in order for you to cope with the learning in the courses, you should also have the basic literacy and numeracy standards appropriate for the program that you are applying for. For example, you should have level 6 for both Oral and Written English under the Employability Skill System (ESS) or other equivalent qualifications (O level, etc) if you are applying for the Diploma program.

21. Do I need to be sponsored by my company?

No. Sponsorship is not a must. You can join the course on a self paying basis.

For organizations & corporate enquiry:

If your company can form the minimum class size of 20 – 25 participants, SIRS can run a company-based program exclusively for the company staff. For further advice and assistance, please email to SIRS via courses@sirs.edu.sg.

22. What is the requirement for attendance?

Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance rate for each module in order to be eligible to take the assessment for the module.

23. What happens if I fail in the assessment?

You can write-in to appeal to re-take the assessment for the module, subject to the final approval of the SIRS Assessment Review Committee.

In the event that you have to repeat the module, you need to pay the full fee for the module that you have failed, that is, the fees without subsidy.

24. What are the levels of literacy and numeracy that I should attain or possess if I want to be considered for the Certificate in Retail Operations (CRO), Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision (ACRS) or Diploma in Retail Management (DRM) programs?

Applicants who have attained credits (C6 or better) in the GCE „O‟ Level English and Mathematics examinations are considered to have the required level of competency for literacy and numeracy to handle SIRS training for CRO, ACRS or DRM.

Alternatively, to cope with the Certificate in Retail Operations program, applicants should have attained a WPLN (Workplace Literacy & Numeracy) level of grade 4 or higher competency for the Reading, Listening and Numeracy modules. For Advanced Certificate in Retail Supervision, applicants should have attained a WPLN level of grade 5 or higher competency in order to cope with the program. For Diploma in Retail Management, applicants should have attained a WPLN level of grade 6 or higher competency in order to cope with the program.

25. Is there any dress code that I need to observe while attending class?

As the first Continuing Education & Training institution for the retail sector, it is necessary to maintain and uphold the professionalism of the institution. Hence all participants coming to classes should be properly attired at all times.

For Ladies: Proper attire & footwear. No shorts or Bermudas are allowed. No slippers or flips flops.

For Men: Trousers or jeans for men, shirt or collar tee shirt & proper footwear. No shorts or Bermudas are allowed. No slippers or flip flops.

26. Can a participant be absent from class due to work commitment?

Request for leave of absence will be considered on a case by case basis and participants need a company letter of support and are required to seek prior approval from SIRS.

27. Are assessments conducted on the last day of lesson for a module?

No, we have continuous assessment for each module and the trainer will provide the participants with more information upon joining the course.

28. What happens if a participant is on Medical Leave on the day of assessment?

Participants will need to submit Medical Leave Certificate and SIRS will try to arrange for re-assessment on a case by case basis.

29. Will I be awarded certificate if I were to take another non-prescribed module?

Yes, the Statement of Attainment (SOA) is issued on a modular basis; a participant will be awarded the relevant SOA if they were to be assessed as competent.

30. What is the impact of reservist training on course?

Participants will have to submit the relevant reservist notification to their form teacher and SIRS will make the appropriate recommendation of deferment or continuation of the affected modules.