29 Oct 2010
1. In view of an ageing population and the upcoming re-employment legislation in 2012, a two-day mindset change programme will be made available for back-to-work seniors to help strengthen the silver workforce.
2. The Employability Camp (EC) for Back-to-Work Seniors will equip the silver population with "soft skills" to return to the workforce and is a customised version of the existing EC programme by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute). The current EC is catered mainly for rank-and-file job-seekers who want to prepare themselves to take on new job opportunities and progress in their new careers.
3. The EC for Back-to-Work Seniors is modified to accommodate the needs of seniors, so that they may find it easier to integrate into the workforce, especially after long periods of unemployment. More suitable for rank-and-file job-seekers, it can potentially benefit about 186,000 of unemployed and economically inactive seniors fit to work.
4. This programme will help them understand the importance of continued employment, acquire positive and resilient attitudes, manage inter-generational communication and equip themselves with the skills to get the desired job. In addition, the pace of learning will be more manageable and more engagement-style methods will be used. Participants will also be encouraged by real examples they can relate to, such as inspiring stories of other seniors at the workplace, so as to help them regain confidence.
5. NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How said, "The new programme will benefit seniors who wish to return to work but require some form of help. It will polish their skills so that they find it easier to integrate into the workforce. It is important for us to encourage and cheer them on."
6. Interested members of the public can visit e2i's Referral Centre at 141 Redhill Road or call 64740606 for more information
