Advanced Certificate in Supported Employment (ACSE)

Overview

The Advanced Certificate in Supported Employment (ACSE) equips job coaches with essential skills to provide comprehensive employment support for persons with disabilities in Singapore. Through face-to-face training at SSI’s classrooms, learners will develop crucial competencies in job coaching, including the application of employment theories, basic counselling techniques, case management, conflict resolution and job analysis.

New Course Format

This course is offered on a part-time basis and is made up of 5 stackable modules. Each module may be taken independently, allowing learners to progressively build toward the full programme. Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be equipped with the necessary skills to effectively support persons with disabilities in their employment journey, from career planning to job placement and ongoing support.

Course Requirements and Eligibility

This professional certification programme is designed for both practising job coaches and professionals working with persons with disabilities, as well as those planning to enter the field of supporting persons with disabilities in employment.

A minimum of three GCE ‘O’ Level credits and a minimum English Language (speaking, reading, writing and listening) proficiency level equivalent to C6 GCE ‘O’ level or Employability Skills System Workplace Literacy (WPL) Level 6 is required. Applicants are required to upload their GCE 'O' Level or any higher Certification during the online registration process.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• Describe the roles and responsibilities of a job coach in supported employment

• Apply appropriate employment and job development theories in assisting persons with disabilities in their career planning

• Apply basic counselling skills and techniques when working with clients with disabilities

• Demonstrate understanding of the case management process

• Apply appropriate negotiation strategies to resolve conflicts in the context of supported employment

• Conduct a job analysis of a specific job position identified for a person with a disability

Course Details

Assessment Requirements

Learners are required to meet at least 75% attendance for every module’s training hour to be eligible to sit for the respective assessment.

Programme Duration

This course is offered on a part-time basis and is made up of 5 stackable modules. Each module may be taken independently, allowing learners to progressively build toward the full programme, which totals 115 training hours. Trainings will be conducted in person at SSI’s classrooms. Assessments will be held at SSI, with details shared with learners in class.

Completion Timeline and Certification Criteria

To receive the Programme Certificate, all learners are required to:

• Complete all 5 modules within a 2-year candidature period from the date of enrolment.

• Submit proof of completion for each module (learners will receive individual certificate for each completed module) by writing in to SSI programme team.

Upon verification, you will receive the Programme Certificate, signifying full completion of the stackable pathway.

Do note that:

• Learners who do not complete all 5 modules within the 2-year period will not be eligible for the Programme Certificate.

• Partial completion will not result in programme-level certification, though individual certificates will still be awarded if learners have passed the assessment for the module.

We encourage learners to plan their learning journey proactively and reach out early if they anticipate challenges in meeting the timeline.

Lesson Timings

All lessons are conducted between 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Stackable Modules Offered

1. Supported Employment and Working with Clients of Different Disabilities
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   This module equips learners with a better understanding of the concept and practices of Supported Employment, including techniques to provide guidance to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their career planning, employment laws and grants available for employers and PWDs.
   
   For new job coaches, we recommend starting from the “Supported Employment and Working with Clients of Different Disabilities” module.
   
   Register for Supported Employment and Working with Clients of Different Disabilities module now!
   
   

2. Client and Employer Engagement
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   This module focuses on the role and responsibilities of a professional job coach and coaching techniques for PWDs within a supported employment framework. In contrast to the traditional train-and-place approach, job coaching in supported employment embraces a ‘place, train and sustain’ model which requires job coaches to work closely with PWDs and employers throughout the job coaching process. Learners will acquire specific knowledge and skills to engage and support clients and employers in supported employment which includes the development of client profile, job development and placement, job site training and support, and fading out and follow-up.
   
   Register for Client and Employer Engagement module now!
   
   

3. Introduction to Case Management
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   This module explores how a person-centred approach to case management is the backbone of successful employment support. Learners will be equipped to advocate, communicate, and identify essential resources, acting as the vital link between PWDs, job coaches, service staff, and other key stakeholders. By mastering these skills, learners will ensure a holistic and successful employment outcome for their clients.

   Register for Introduction to Case Management module now!

4. Basic Counselling Skills and Practice for Job Coaches
   TGS-2020501623
   
   This module provides an overview of the counselling process, the different roles performed by the job coach and how counselling skills are useful in the key stages of the job coaching process. The module covers basic counselling skills, goals of counselling, values and ethics in counselling and approaches in problem management, which includes barriers of communication in the counselling process and ways to prevent communication breakdown when working with PWDs.
   
   Register for Basic Counselling Skills and Practice for Job Coaches now!

5. Conflict, Leadership and People Management
   TGS-2020501318

   Learn to use various communication styles to guide employers through inclusive hiring, manage conflict, and facilitate solutioning. By developing awareness of both verbal and non-verbal tendencies, learners can engage stakeholders with greater clarity and adaptability. This is particularly valuable in moments of conflict, as it helps foster rapport and trust, reframing potential disputes as opportunities for collaboration and lasting resolution.

   This module discusses conflict resolution, the art of negotiation in reaching an agreement between different stakeholders as well as how to apply the principles of leadership and people management.

   Register for Conflict, Leadership and People Management now!

Community of Practice (CoP)

The Community of Practice (CoP) is a platform for disability job coaches and employment specialists (who provide job support for persons with disabilities) to learn and collaborate with one another. In the CoP, members will discuss cases and challenges faced, share best practices and learn from their counterparts and other experts on finding solutions that provide employment support for persons with disabilities and employers.

You will be automatically added to SG Enable’s mailing list for job coaches (after you have registered for your first ACSE module), where you will receive updates on upcoming CoP sessions and other training programmes for job coaches.

While CoP is not a criterion to receive the ACSE certification, you are highly encouraged to attend at least 1 CoP session while you are undertaking the programme to build your network and continue learning with other job coaches.

¹ Subject to successful completion and achievement of a ‘Competent’ grade for all in-class assessments/assignments. Learners eligible for SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) funding must achieve at least 75% attendance per module, and be certified ‘Competent’ in all the assessment components. Individuals or Organisations will have to bear the full course fees in the event that learners fail to meet the attendance/assessment requirements and terms and conditions for SSG funding eligibility. Learn more about SSG Funding.