At the age of 17, I served a two-year prison sentence for illegal business involvement and came to HCSA Highpoint for rehabilitation upon my release. I stayed at Highpoint for nearly three years, where I worked as a part-time mover while studying for my ‘O’ Level examinations. This year, I was fortunate enough to complete my National Service (NS) just in time to join the first intake of HCSA Academy’s Culinary Training Centre in May.
I managed to graduate as the youngest trainee in my batch and was placed at Marina Mandarin Hotel where I have been working since. I’m grateful that the sous chefs and executive chef often praise me for my excellent work.
“I even received the Silver Merit Winner ‘Heart of the House’ Certificate of Recognition Award in October! I am now working hard towards being promoted to junior sous chef in a couple of months.”
HCSA Academy is now onto its fifth batch of trainees. Like Marcus, 100% of graduates from the culinary training programme are successfully placed in jobs upon completion of the course.