More inmates to get skills training for F&B industry

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More inmates will be able to get training in food preparation and food service skills even before they finish their prison terms, as social enterprise NTUC Foodfare renews its collaborative agreement with the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE).

It last signed an agreement in 2009.

An average of 200 inmates go through the NTUC Foodfare and SCORE food training programme each year.

It is hoped this will help them find jobs in the food and beverage industry when they are released.

Mr Danny Foong, a chef and trainer with NTUC Foodfare, said: "Most of them who join my course have zero knowledge on cooking. After they took the course, they actually went for... the yellow ribbon cooking competition. It's heartwarming to know that they're actually interested and they have actually improved from there."

NTUC Foodfare has also once again pledged money to a fund to train inmates. With NTUC Foodfare's new pledge of S$100,000, inmates will be able to attend baking and pastry-making classes as well.

A new baking facility will also be opened with SCORE. Forty more inmates will be able to benefit from the new baking facility per year. The facility will be housed at the prison.

Mr Teo Tze Fang, CEO of SCORE, said: "One of the big challenges of reintegrating inmates to society is getting them good employment. We're focusing on areas where there are many jobs available. F&B, in particular, (has a) strong demand (now)."

SCORE hopes more employers will come on board to give more inmates a second chance.