10,000 members from Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group to join
Labour Movement’s U Associate programme by 2013
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) signed a partnership agreement with Adam Khoo Learning Technologies Group (AKLTG), to expand the Labour Movement’s (LM) efforts in serving more professionals, managers and executives (PMEs). By 2013, the Labour Movement will welcome 10,000 members from AKLTG into the U Associate (UA) programme which reaches out to PMEs through institutions, industry associations and alumnus.
With more PMEs joining the workforce as our education levels rise, it is important that the LM adapts to meet the needs of this growing group who will become the rank-and-file workers of tomorrow. Indeed, the PME membership in NTUC has also seen an increase. Currently, PME members make up about 23% of NTUC’s 700,000 members - from 130,000 in 2010, to over 160,000 in 2012. In view of this trend, NTUC will continue to cultivate more partnerships with professional bodies and stakeholders in different industries.
First U Associate Appreciation Night
For the first time, the U Associate Appreciation Night 2012 will be held tonight at SWiTCH by Timbre, NTUC Trade Union House, graced by Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO of NTUC FairPrice (Singapore). U Associate members will enjoy an exclusive night of fun and networking, with Mr Adam Khoo sharing tips on career development and enhancement.
Mr Vivek Kumar, Director, Membership, NTUC said, “With 5 established associations, supporting thousands of PME members, U Associate program is a new Labour Movement breakthrough. It is designed to add value to PMEs who are already organized by an association. By formally associating themselves with the Labour Movement, these partners are able to offer U Privileges to their members. We expect at least 5 more associations to join the Labour Movement by 2013. With a host of new & relevant privileges such as workplace advisory & career services, hundreds of new merchant partners & a wide range of professional development programs, LM is ready to serve our growing base of Professional, Manager, Executive Members"
The U Associate program is Labour Movement’s key initiative for PMEs from industry associations and alumnus who wish to join the LM. AKLTG is Singapore’s largest training company that runs professional development seminars and workshops for PMEs. Besides AKLTG, the NTU Alumni Club (NTU-AC), Institute of Estate Agents (IEA), Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA) and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) have reaped invaluable benefits as UA partners (see Annex A for more details).
Mr Adam Khoo, Executive Chairman said “We definitely see it [the partnership] as being a mutually beneficial collaboration on many levels. By joining hands, NTUC and AKLTG would be able to pursue the common goal of transforming the career skills enhancement landscape for the PME community in Singapore. We believe that with NTUC’s strong presence as the peoples’ advocate of skills upgrading and AKLTG’s experience as the region’s leading training provider for personal and professional development; this partnership is set to bring about unprecedented value-adding training opportunities and privileges for our PMEs.”
U Privileges for Members
Members of the U Associate program can enjoy the convenience of dual privileges under one membership - professional development subsidies under the UTAP (Union Training Assistance Program), workplace advisory services, FairPricerebates and LinkPoints, etc. Engagement activities and networking functionsspecially designed for PMEs to complement their lifestyle and professional needs are also planned.
(Annex B)
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ANNEX A
Accolades by U Associate Partners
“The UA partnership complements our wide range of benefits for Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) Members and offers enhanced value to their world of learning and networking.”
- Ms Tang Mei Sin, Director, SIM
“ NTU Alumni Club have benefited a lot with this U Associate partnership over the past year. Our members have enjoyed the valuable programmes and discounts as well as the network of merchants islandwide at the various participating outlets.“
- Mr R Sinnakaruppan, President, NTU Alumni Club
"With the UA tie-up, Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) members are getting two memberships for the price
of one. There are more than just benefits that meet the eyes. Members get to save costs,and at same time enjoy the benefits of both the IEA as well as NTUC Membership."
- Mr Jeff Foo, President, IEA
“Now Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA) members under the U Associate program are enjoying the affordable insurance coverage as well as the wide variety of lifestyle benefits offered by NTUC. Being an affiliated association with National Transport Worker’s Union (NTWU), the union values the feedback from SSTA members and is able to address their concerns.”
- Mr Wong Ann Lin (Chairman), Mr Michael Ong (Secretary), SSTA
ANNEX B
To better meet PMEs’ needs at work, live and play, the Labour Movement has been constantly coming up with a series of initiatives and programmes, U Associate being one of them. PME members can look forward to more exciting engagement events next year.
Benefits & Privileges
Work
• Workplace Advisory Service - supported by full-time lawyers from the NTUC Legal Services Department. Members can now seek complex legal queries without having to pay legal fees at commercial rates ranging from $300 to $600 for an hour of consultation
• Professional Development programmes with UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme) subsidies, PME-focused executive education arm by Learning Hub’s Next-U, “Place & Train” programmes supported by e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) & Next-U
Live
Play
• SWiTCH (PME Clubhouse) – Partnership with Timbre Group
• Privileges and benefits at over 500 merchant partners. New merchant partners include Universal Studios Singapore, Tiger Airways, Gardens by the Bay, & Healthway Medical etc.
Events & Engagement
• Legal Primer workshops
• Beer Aprecio workshop with Timbre (a beer appreciation & food pairing workshop)
• Lexus GS Experience with Borneo Motors
• Dessert art demonstration with Chef Janice Wong (owner of 2am:dessertbar)
