Media
September 2022 Press Release
Students from five polytechnics showcased their creativity at a corporate ideation challenge
Participants of the Talent Explorer Programme (TEP) learnt about careers in digital marketing, sustainability and human resources
SINGAPORE, 29 September 2022 – As part of a two-week career exploration programme, 35 students with special educational needs (SEN) across all five local polytechnics pitched their innovative ideas to a group of industry panellists. By participating in the second Talent Explorer Programme (TEP), student participants gained a better understanding of the opportunities available in high-demand professions within the areas of digital marketing, human resource and sustainability.
Held in a hybrid format from 19 to 29 September, this year’s edition of the TEP is jointly organised by Republic Polytechnic (RP), Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and charity organisation TomoWork.
This year marks the first time RP is partnering with TomoWork and TP to host the programme. Mr Ashley Chua, Senior Director, Student Services, Republic Polytechnic said, “We are delighted to partner TomoWork and TP in this meaningful endeavour. The TEP is well positioned to serve as a platform that connects students with SEN with our corporate partners through a range of learning engagements and networking opportunities. Students will then be primed to tap on these opportunities, pursue their passion and develop themselves professionally through this programme.”
Mr Samuel Wee, Director, Student Support & Career Services, Temasek Polytechnic said, “We have enjoyed a good partnership with TomoWork with the Talent Accelerator Programme and the TEP since its inaugural run with TP in 2021. Curated programmes such as TEP provide safe learning spaces for our students with SEN to explore highly valued careers and build friendships with peers across different polytechnics. This year, we are excited to extend our partnership with TomoWork and RP through this meaningful initiative, to support our students in early career exploration and their self-discovery to grow vital skills for the future of work.”
Mr Mike Momota, CEO of TomoWork said, “We are pleased to have successfully completed the second run of the TEP. With the second week of the programme held in person at RP, the TEP was made possible by the cross-sector collaboration of all polytechnics, corporate partners, and volunteer mentors. It is also heartening to see participants from last year’s edition joining us again. Our TEP is a testament to how the public and private sectors can collaborate to foster a more inclusive society.”
During the first week, participants attended half-day crash courses on the fundamentals of digital marketing, sustainability and human resources. They were introduced to the concepts, skills, and career opportunities of leading companies in their respective sectors. Students were also able to speak, learn, and network with professionals from industry leaders such as Bloomberg, Google, and Sembcorp Industries.
In the second week of the TEP, students had the chance to participate in a four-day ideation challenge. Working in groups of three, they showcased their creativity in solving business problems provided by the event’s sponsors across the three disciplines.
The top six teams of the ideation challenge walked away with cash prizes and exclusive merchandise from the event’s corporate partners. They can also visit one of the corporate sponsor’s offices for a day and enjoy preferential entry into TomoWork’s flagship Talent Accelerator Programme (TAP).
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For the full press release, please click here.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Office of Corporate Communications
Patrick Seng / Terence Ong
+65 9767 6701 / +65 9128 1898 patrick_seng@rp.edu.sg / terence_ong@rp.edu.sg
Corporate Communications
Pat Chong / Jayabalan Karthigesu
+65 9777 8100 / +65 9665 6706
pat_chong-koh@tp.edu.sg / karthigesu_jayabalan@tp.edu.sg
About Republic Polytechnic

The first educational institution in Singapore to leverage the Problem-based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic (RP) has seven schools and one academic centre offering 36 full-time diplomas in Applied Science, Engineering, Management and Communication, Hospitality, Infocomm, Sports, Health & Leisure, and Technology for the Arts.
RP is committed to nurturing professionals with strong problem-solving capabilities through an innovative and entrepreneurial learning environment, based on a holistic and industry-relevant curriculum. RP’s Academy for Continuing Education also offers a comprehensive suite of lifelong learning programmes to provide adult learners with skills upgrading opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.rp.edu.sg.
About Temasek Polytechnic

Established in 1990, TP is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Singapore. Currently it offers 36 full-time diploma courses in the areas of applied science, business, design, engineering, humanities & social sciences and informatics & IT. It also offers over 40 part-time courses, up to the advanced diploma level. TP students undergo a holistic learning system that combines hands-on experience, character education and relevant life skills, in an enriching learning environment. The Polytechnic has also infused global realities into its programmes and developed a mindset on campus that embraces socio-cultural diversity. Believing in the possibilities of tomorrow, Temasek Polytechnic is committed to co-creating a better world with its stakeholders by nurturing the next generation of values-centred leaders, lifelong learners and future-oriented creators. For more information, please visit www.tp.edu.sg.
About TomoWork

“Tomo” means friends in Japanese, representing a closely knitted global community coming together to empower the differently-abled community in improving their quality of life. Established in 2019, TomoWork Ltd is a registered charity in Singapore (Aug 2022). We envision a world where there is equitable opportunity for the disadvantaged so that they can live with dignity and feels a sense of belonging to society. We believe that being gainfully employed is the best way to improve dignity and the quality of life. Hence, we are leveraging the diversity of stakeholders to join us in our mission. For more information, please visit https://tomowork.org.