Model ID: d7378277-cb6a-4798-9acf-a106f880ce21
Sitecore Context Id: d7378277-cb6a-4798-9acf-a106f880ce21;
As Singapore transforms its economy, many jobseekers may find the search for a new job taking longer. In this light, the Labour Movement (LM) is ramping up efforts to ensure jobseekers get more targeted help in their job search. By tapping on its expanding network, LM wants to gather employers with progressive workplace practices, such as flexible work arrangements and age-friendly practices, and enhance job search process for jobseekers, especially the mature ones. This is especially relevant in the current fast-changing economy where jobs are evolving quicker than before.
In this light, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), together with its partners, is organising a series of Inclusive Job Fairs, with the aim to assess job offerings from progressive employers, provide training opportunities and help jobseekers match their skills to the jobs.
Inclusive Job Fair
The Inclusive Job Fair held today was jointly organised by NTUC, NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), North East Community Development Council (NECDC) and Our Tampines Hub (OTH). The job fair was held at OTH to bring job opportunities to the heartlands and closer to the people.
With support from unionised companies and LM’s network partners, the job fair featured 19 progressive companies from various industries such as healthcare, logistics, hospitality, food and beverages, retail and transport. These companies see the benefits in hiring mature workers and have indicated their willingness to hire mature workers. Some have gone the extra mile to create an age-friendly workplace such as including a written re-employment policy to re-employ up to the age of 67, before the official implementation in July. Some 700 jobs with progressive workplace arrangements such as logistics supervisors, development engineer, sales manager, assistant outlet chef, senior guest service executive, staff nurse and dental service assistant were available. Please refer to Annex A for the full list of companies and job offers.
Through LM’s network and NECDC’s mobilising efforts, the half day fair drew more than 500 jobseekers, with about 42 per cent aged 50 and above, and of which 43 per cent currently unemployed. It was also noted that 32 per cent of the jobseekers present were professionals, managers, executives. At the job fair, the jobseekers attended interview workshops on-site, took part in job placement exercises and learnt about various training programmes available for them. Career coaches from e2i were also present to provide career assessment, training advisory as well as assist them with resume writing and interview skills. By the end of the day, about 150 jobseekers who attended the event were shortlisted or offered positions.
“Our elderly residents face difficulties landing new jobs quickly in a restructuring economy amidst slower growth. We must help them. We have focused on curating a broad spectrum of jobs which they can adapt to and master. I am very glad that many of our employers are prepared to step up and help our residents transit to their new work environments,” commented Desmond Choo, Director of Industry Transformation and Productivity, NTUC.
More Inclusive Job Fairs
The Inclusive Job Fair held today is the first of a series. Moving forward, LM will continue to leverage its growing network and step up efforts to organise more of such job fairs in the heartlands. NTUC plans to partner constituencies such as those in Ang Mo Kio and Clementi to conduct similar job fairs every quarter. Through these job fairs, LM hopes to better support those in career transition or looking for jobs, to find good jobs.
# # #
