Congratulations to our graduates from IT Skills Program for ex-offenders with HCSA Highpoint Halfway House

A truly momentous graduation ceremony unfolded on September 30th, 2023, within the walls of the HCSA Highpoint Halfway House. This event marked the triumphant completion of training for a group of 19 ex-offenders, a milestone witnessed by esteemed representatives from various organizations. HCSA, the Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF), Acronis, and several other dedicated supportive agencies were among them.

Our opening ceremony had the distinct privilege of hosting Mr Patrick Tay, Member of Parliament for Pioneer SMC and Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), as our distinguished Guest of Honour. Mr Tay’s presence at this significant event underscored our initiative’s profound importance and value. We express our deepest gratitude for Mr Tay’s unwavering support, and the opportunity to share our vision and unwavering commitment with him was a privilege held in the highest regard. His presence enriched the occasion, further emphasizing our dedication to positively impacting our community.

The momentous presentation of certificates of achievement was graced by both Mr. Patrick Tay and Mr. Vladimir Zatsepin, Acronis’ Head of Singapore R&D. This event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of YRF and the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program. Together, we leveraged our expertise to empower these individuals with essential IT skills and facilitate their journey toward career development.

The training sessions were held in the newly revamped computer classroom at the halfway house. The training period ran from March to August 2023, involving 19 enthusiastic residents. We are proud to report a flawless 100% pass rate. These diligent individuals have all transitioned into full-time roles, and there is a marked increase in the salary range (of at least nine graduates) from $1,000 – $1,440 to currently between $1,500 – $2,000.

Mr Shawn Lim, Head of Programme, HCSA Highpoint, remarked, “Gainful employment remains critical to an ex-offender’s successful reintegration. With partners like Acronis and Yellow Ribbon Fund, HCSA can provide digital upskilling opportunities at the Acronis-HCSA Computer Classroom to empower our ex-offender community to take charge of their transformation and boost their confidence in the workplace.”

Mr Vladimir Zatsepin said, “Our government has continuously encouraged citizens to upskill with digital skills to ensure we remain relevant and employable. In line with that, and Acronis’ core belief that knowledge should be available to all, the YRF-Acronis IT Skills Program doesn’t just equip ex-offenders with the necessary IT skills but improves their employability and builds up their confidence to better contribute and reintegrate back into society. We applaud all the graduates for their determination and courage to step out of their comfort zone and congratulate them on gaining new IT skills. At the same time, we encourage them to continue learning and improve on those skills.”

This remarkable journey exemplifies the incredible potential of education and underscores our unwavering dedication to providing valuable skills and employment opportunities, empowering individuals to carve out a brighter future for themselves.

Acronis Cyber Foundation Program welcomes individuals, groups, and companies to partner with us to work side-by-side with underserved communities to bring them hope through education.