For instance, during the nutrition segments, he and his classmates would be tasked with making certain meals that met a set criteria of nutritional requirements, such as specific amounts of protein or micronutrients.
And in spite of the makeup of the 30-person class being extremely diverse — ranging from students who had just graduated from polytechnic to retirees even older than himself — he found his classmates positive, easygoing and motivated.
Furthermore, studying under lecturers who were also professional physiotherapists and fitness specialists gave him a greater understanding of their job scopes, and by extension, the career options available to him in future.
It was the combination of all these things that gave him the strength to, in his own words, “cross the finish line”.
“The course is really like running a marathon,” he says. “It’s tough, but you have to keep telling yourself, it’s a matter of mind over body.”
More than expanding your career
So now that this marathon is done, what’s next for Mr Lau?
Having recently left his job last month, he plans to take a break before embarking on the next stage of his career. But he is already looking out for the next course to enrol in – an attitude that Mr David Chai, director of SP PACE Academy, hopes many others will follow.
“In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, staying competitive and relevant requires adaptability and a proactive approach to change,” says Mr Chai. “This underscores the increasing need for individuals to upskill and reskill.
“As a strong proponent of lifelong learning, I firmly believe that continuous personal development is essential for success in the future economy.”
SP PACE Academy offers part-time diploma and post-diploma courses that cover a wide range of studies such as Specialist Diploma in Robotics and Automation, Specialist Diploma in Digital Marketing and Analytics, Diploma in Engineering (Aerospace), Diploma in Applied Science (Industrial Chemistry and Life Sciences) and Diploma in Business Practice (Accounting).
Other courses that are currently open for registration include Specialist Diploma in Energy Efficiency and Management, Diploma in Design (Visual Communication), Specialist Diploma in Data Science (AI), Diploma in Maritime and Offshore Management, Specialist Diploma in Building Information Modelling Management and Diploma in Border and Security Management.
With the rolling out of the $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) top-up unveiled during the Singapore Budget earlier this year, Singaporeans aged 40 and above like Mr Lau can use their credits to cover up to 90 per cent of their course fees.
Mr Lau says he is eyeing the latest wave of emerging trends, such as artificial intelligence, and exploring how to integrate them into his existing knowledge base.
But as much as it is about expanding his career options, he is also motivated by the desire to upkeep his mental agility and fight off the “ageing brain”, as he calls it.
“The mind is like a muscle,” he says, quoting one of his Singapore Polytechnic lecturers. “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Looking to keep your mind active, obtain new skills, or just meet like-minded people? Check out the courses offered by Singapore Polytechnic’s Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy here.
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