The IAC Certificate in Office Skills (ICOS) programme started its second run on 6 January with an orientation for the trainees and their caregivers. 23-year-old Chuan Chen is one of the 12 trainees who had embarked on this six-month training programme. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy since young, Chuan Chen completed her GCE ‘O’ Levels in 2010 at a mainstream school despite her disabilities.

“I joined ICOS to upgrade myself through infocomm technology. Hopefully, one day I can use these skills to contribute back to the society,” she said.

Another trainee, Rogayah, too was enthusiastic about joining ICOS to learn. The 30-year-old, who uses a wheelchair due to problems in her knees, hopes that she can secure a job at the end of this training stint. She wants to be financially independent so that her parents need not worry about her in future.

ICOS is a vocational training programme that equips people with disabilities with the necessary skills for administrative positions. It was first offered in July 2013 and is tailored to help people with disabilities find gainful employment, many of whom have never worked in an office environment before. They undergo the necessary job skills and soft skills training to better equip them to integrate into the mainstream workforce.

Trainees who complete the ICOS training will have an opportunity to be placed on internships at companies through SPD’s Employment Support Programme. The SPD Employment Support Programme will then continue to provide job matching and placement support services to assist graduates in finding a job.

More information about the ICOS can be found at www.iacentre.org.sg/courses/certificate-in-office-skills/