Singapore GP and ITE sign multi-year partnership

Singapore, 21 April 2009 - The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and Singapore GP Pte Ltd (SGP), race promoter of the 2009 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly train and offer work experience to 1,000 ITE students.

The MOU will allow students to experience working in an event management and customer service environment at the highest international levels. Under this four-year collaboration, SGP and ITE will enter into a strategic partnership to leverage on each other's strengths and resources. ITE students from the Higher Nitec in Business Studies (Event Management), Higher Nitec in Business Studies (Administration) and other relevant ITE courses will be offered this unique training and work experience programme.

SGP is partnering with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS) to offer a three-step approach in preparation for the event. The training programme includes online engagement, Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) training, as well as onsite training. TMIS will confer successful candidates with a nationally-recognised WSQ Statement of Attainment.

After training, students will be assigned roles within the Marina Bay Street Circuit Park. Roles will range from Access Control Officials, Customer Service Officers to Information Ambassadors. The students will each receive a Singapore GP certificate of participation, along with remuneration based on their specific roles within the Circuit Park.

This partnership fulfils Singapore GP's aim of integrating Singapore youth into the FORMULA ONE event. Underscoring its commitment to high level training, Singapore GP will invest S$500,000 a year in this programme for the next four years.

Mr Michael Roche, Executive Director of Singapore GP said, "We are grateful of this opportunity to help students achieve their educational goals, and are confident that the skills the students will gain will be put to good use when they enter the workforce. The 2009 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX is an excellent way for students to engage with a high profile international audience."

Mr Bruce Poh, Director & CEO, ITE said: "This collaboration represents a great opportunity for ITE students to learn first-hand, how large-scale events are being managed. And what can be more insightful and thrilling than the spectacular Formula One event itself. This is also an excellent platform for our students to showcase to the world, what they have learnt through the ITE curriculum and the SGP training. This programme is aligned with our brand of education characterised by our Hands-on, Minds-on and Hearts-on approach. We are certain that the students will rise to the occasion and become efficient service ambassadors that Singapore will be proud of."

As FORMULA ONE  is still relatively new in Singapore, SGP is also organising a roving photo exhibition, beginning at the network of ITE campuses. To unveil the first exhibition for this season at ITE Bishan campus today is Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of the Central Singapore District. The exhibition is intended to educate both young and old on what is the sport about. After the ITE tour, the exhibition is expected to move on to a series of grassroots events and community centres to spread the spirit of FORMULA ONE throughout Singapore.

About the FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

The inaugural FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix took place on 28 September 2008 on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The race was the first Formula One™ to be held at night, and the first Formula One street race in Asia. Over 100,000 spectators, a sell-out, capacity crowd, and more than 110 million television viewers worldwide watched the Singapore Grand Prix. The 2009 FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will take place from 25-27 September 2009 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in the heart of downtown Singapore. For more information, visit the official website at www.singaporegp.sg.

About Singapore GP Pte Ltd

Singapore GP Pte Ltd is the race promoter for the FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. It holds five-year renewable rights to stage the Singapore Grand Prix, beginning with the 2008 Season. The company is a partnership between Komoco Motors Pte Ltd and regional events company Lushington Entertainments, via its parent company Reef Enterprises.

About the Institute of Technical Education

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, was established as a postsecondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and key developer of national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore's workforce competitiveness. Under its "One ITE System, Three Colleges" Model of Education and Governance, ITE has three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West. For more information, please visit www.ite.edu.sg.