What is the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) for Management Consultants (PCPMC)?

The PCP-MC aims to help Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs), unemployed or Those who wish to switch careers, make a smooth transition to a profession in management consultancy.

The programme is funded by WDA and administered by the PMC Certification Board.

How does it work?

The PCP-MC adopts a Place-and-Train mode, where a trainee is first placed in a management consultancy firm and then undergoes training and apprenticeship under the sponsorship of the firm. Successful trainee will through a 12-month apprenticeship in the recruiting firm. During the apprenticeship, trainee will be mentored by experienced consultants and work on real life consultancy projects. He will also undergo a 5-day, 10-module training course on management consultancy. Trainee who successfully complete the PCP-MC will be conferred the PMC certification, a nationally-recognised certification for management consultants.

Who can apply for the programme?

Mid-career PMEs who are interested to pursue a career in management consultancy are eligible to apply. Interested applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident;
• At least a diploma qualification
• Has managerial experience
  • For degree holder or equivalent: 5 years in management function
    
  • For diploma holder: 7 years in management function
• Interested in pursuing a full-time career in management consultancy

Candidates will undergo screening and interviews conducted by the PMC Certification Board and the hiring management consultancy firms (host firms).

How much is the funding support?

WDA provides the following support to the trainee under the PCP-MC:

• Training Course fees: Trainees will receive 100% of course fee support. WDA will fund 70% of course fees capped at $1,750 per trainee. The remaining 30% will be borne by the host firms.
• Training Allowance: WDA will provide host firms with a funding support of 50% of basic salary capped at $1,600 per trainee per month up to a period of 12 months. The host firms will bear the other 50% of the training allowance.

When does the programme start?

Application is now open. The programme will cease on 31 Oct 2010.

How to apply for programme?

In order to participate in this programme, candidates will need to meet the minimum requirements and submit the application form to secretariat@pmccertboard.org.sg. Short-listed candidates will need to go through an interview with the PMC Vetting Panel, and then with prospective employers. If successful, the employers will register the candidates for the programme. Candidates will have to be bound by the terms and conditions of the programme.
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Would I be considered for the programme if I do not have at least 5 years of working experience in management functions?

PCP-MC is meant to assist those who wish to make a mid-career switch, and in particular, retrenched and unemployed Singaporeans, to gain entry into new jobs in management consultancy. Admission of candidates who do not have the required working experience will only be granted in exceptional and extraordinary circumstances.

Could I apply for the programme if I am already a practising management consultant?

No, given that the programme is aimed at helping PMEs acquire a new skill and switch to a new career in management consultancy through training and apprenticeship.

Is there an age limit for PCP-MC?

No.

I would like to undergo the training for my personal knowledge and receive the grant. Is this possible? / I would like to complete the training and get certified without being attached to a management consultancy firm? Is this possible?

What are the obligations of the trainees upon completion of the PCP-MC? What if I quit the programme halfway?

Trainees are required to complete 1-year programme with the sponsoring firms. If you quit the programme halfway, WDA has the right to recover from trainees the course fee subsidies and training allowance. Hence, trainees should ensure that they have a genuine
interest to take on the job in the management consultancy industry before signing up for this PCP. The terms and conditions are in the Declaration Form which the trainee will sign when accepting the offer for the programme.

All trainees must also commit to work in the management consultancy industry for at least 12 months after successful completion of the PCP-MC.

Do I have to pay for this programme?

You don’t have to pay for the training course as this is sponsored by the employer. But you will need to pay the PMC certification fee upon completion of the programme. The fee is at a discounted rate of $720 for two (2) years.

May I ask my employer to pay for the certification fee?

You would need to discuss these matters with your employer.

Can I change employer while undergoing the PCP-MC programme?

The PCP-MC operates on a ‘Place and Train’ mode. Trainee is strongly encouraged to stay with the firm to create that continuity and stability needed to synergise the training and apprenticeship. Employer would need to consider factoring in this concern into the contractual agreement between the employer and the trainee.

Is the monthly training allowance taxable? Is it subjected to CPF contribution?

The monthly training allowance is a salary and is thus subjected to government taxes and CPF contribution.