After completing his ‘N’ levels in 1997, Chia Siang Chuan undertook a 3-year part-time apprenticeship in Building Drafting (Architectural) at the Institute of Education (ITE). Immediately after his national service, he started his career in the built environment sector as a technical officer in a mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering consultant firm. In 2007, to upgrade and enable himself to excel in his work, he enrolled into a part-time Higher Nitec course in Electrical Engineering at the ITE with his firm’s support.
He then pursued his childhood interest in architecture and started work at ID Architects Pte Ltd, his current employer, as an architectural assistant, putting his past experience and Nitec-equivalent qualification in Building Drafting to good use.
ID Architects further encouraged him to take up a part-time Diploma in Strategic Facilities Management at the BCA Academy in 2010 to expand his competencies so that he can take on a project management role after completing his studies. ID Architects supported Siang Chuan’s development and sponsored him for the part-time Diploma course as they recognised the value of his upgrading. Indeed, Siang Chuan’s training from the Diploma course helped him perform his work related to M&E design and green buildings.
In recognising Siang Chuan’s potential to take up a greater role in project management, ID Architects again encouraged him to continue upgrading by taking up a part-time degree programme in Construction Management at the BCA Academy this year. The firm continued its strong support by co-sponsoring Siang Chuan’s part-time degree studies through the BCA-Industry Built Environment Undergraduate Sponsorship (Part-time Degree). Currently a Senior Architectural Assistant, Siang Chuan is spurred to work towards realising his goal of becoming a Project Manager. He believes that his experience with Building Information Modelling (BIM) through his work would be relevant and useful in his course.
Siang Chuan is honoured and grateful to BCA and his employer, ID Architects, for this sponsorship. He said, "I am grateful to be given the opportunity to pursue the part-time degree with the joint-sponsorship of my employer, ID Architects, and BCA. The sponsorship not only provides me with financial support, but more importantly, an opportunity for working adults like myself to upgrade and progress in my career. This sponsorship motivates me to do well in my course at the BCA Academy and eventually, be able to contribute to my employer and the built environment sector."
click here to find out about the scholarship and sponsorship programme