New Acronis-HCSA Computer Classroom by HCSA Community Services provides ex-offenders with digital upskilling opportunities

Singapore, 17 April 2023 - HCSA Community Services (HCSA), a charitable organisation that works to empower vulnerable groups - such as ex-offenders, abused teenage girls, and single parents - launched a new facility to provide them with the necessary in-demand digital skills and job opportunities to enable their employment readiness and upskilling today. Located at HCSA Highpoint Halfway House, a residential shelter for homeless male ex-offenders, the Acronis-HCSA Computer Classroom offers multi-disciplinary IT upskilling courses. Fully sponsored by Acronis, the joint initiative with Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF) leverages the latter's expertise in rehabilitation and reintegration, and Acronis's expertise in cyber protection and software applications to uplift ex-offenders by equipping them with fundamental digital skills necessary for potential employment opportunities. The launch was graced by Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development.

2 According to the Singapore Prison Service, while the two-year recidivism rate has remained stable and among the world's lowest at about 20 per cent, the five-year recidivism rate has remained around 40 per cent. This highlights the need for more support from community partners to engage ex-offenders in programmes which facilitate their long-term reintegration into the community, an area which HCSA continues to support.

3 In 2021, HCSA served 122 homeless ex-offenders, with 68% securing permanent housing and employment. The new Acronis-HCSA Computer Classroom is part of the organisation's continued efforts, as a community partner, to reduce long-term recidivism by building a sustainable ecosystem of support for ex-offenders to be employable. The facility's focus on digital upskilling is especially pertinent in today's job market, where the adoption of technology has accelerated, following the pandemic. Here, ex-offenders will be able to learn Microsoft 365 applications so that they can smoothly transition into the workplace.

4 Mr Yeo Jih-Shian, Vice-President, HCSA Board of Directors, HCSA Community Services, said, "Our goal has always been to be a source of support for ex-offenders, to help them reintegrate as smoothly as possible and to create not just jobs, but careers for them. This is why we continue to upgrade our facilities and upskilling opportunities at our shelter - to encourage learning and to ensure they remain employable. We are grateful to have Acronis and Yellow Ribbon Fund onboard and are confident that the Acronis-HCSA Computer Classroom will be a useful addition to our slew of offerings for the ex-offenders."

5 Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman of Yellow Ribbon Fund, remarked that "Yellow Ribbon Fund is glad to play a pivotal role in co-creating opportunities for digital upskilling through the support of Acronis for the residents of HCSA Community Services. Equipping the ex-offenders with skills relevant for the workforce will empower them to rebuild their lives as they secure better jobs and contribute positively to the society."

6 Mr Pasha Ershow, Acronis, Senior Vice President APJ & EMEA said, "Education, upskilling and lifelong learning are part of our DNA at Acronis. Our core belief is that knowledge should be available to all, and IT skills are ever more important in today's digital economy. The YRF-Acronis IT Skills Programme was launched 5 years ago to uplift ex-offenders' quality of life through providing IT skills and career development, co-creating new opportunities for their successful reintegration and contribution back to society. We are certain the Acronis-HCSA Computer Classroom will provide the residents with the much-needed training and help improve their employability.

7 The first batch of participants comprising 10 ex-offenders at the facility have successfully completed the ICDL Microsoft Office courses that were held over six days earlier this month.

8 This new facility, established with the support of Acronis and YRF, is a significant step forward in HCSA's plans to expand its capabilities to empower ex-offenders from HCSA's Highpoint Halfway House and from other halfway houses as well, in future. HCSA Academy Culinary Training Centre has also been facilitating the upskilling and reintegration of ex-offenders via its flagship culinary course. HCSA targets to make inroads in the logistics sector, creating more job opportunities for ex-offenders by 2024.

HCSA Community Services is a charitable organisation with the Institution of Public Character (IPC) status and a member of the National Council of Social Service. The organisation was launched in 1996 as a halfway house for recovering drug addicts and ex-offenders. Today, their work has expanded to include teenage girls who have suffered complex trauma from abuse, and single parents with limited support. HCSA operates with a team of dedicated staff, volunteer teams, and corporate and community partners, as they continue to serve the vulnerable in society, to give them a future and a hope. HCSA's mission is to empower these vulnerable populations through their signature programmes. Find out more at www.hcsa.org.sg.

Launched in June 2004, the Yellow Ribbon Fund (YRF) is the first national charitable fund devoted entirely towards the development and implementation of rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for inmates, ex-offenders, and their families. YRF was granted Institute of Public Character (IPC) status since August 2004 and was one of the winners of the Charity Transparency Awards 2018 and 2019.