As part of its mission to help its youths get Work-Ready, nEbO has identified leadership development and work attachment as its two key areas of focus. This will enable nEbO to play a bigger role in strengthening the leadership pipeline for the Labour Movement’s 3-Flow leadership framework as well as better prepare the youths, the workers of tomorrow, for the employment challenges in the future.
Ready To LEAD
In partnership with the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) and NTUC LearningHub Private Limited (LHUB™), nEbO introduced a year-long youth leadership programme in December last year to develop the personal, social and leadership skills of youths to help them deal with the challenges of adolescence and prepare them for the workforce.
Aptly called nEbO LEAD (Learn, Engage and Develop), the idea is to mould potential youth leaders who can contribute at the community level for the Labour Movement, and therefore ensure continual leadership renewal within the Labour Movement.
The first intake on 16 December 2011 saw the participation of 20 key activists. There will be two other intakes in May and December 2012, with about 40 to 50 graduating youths per year.
At the end of each phase, incentive programmes will be offered to the youths to serve as a form of motivation and encouragement. Programmes include LHUB™’s The Service Innovator course, a collaboration with Disney Institute, OTCi’s Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats course and Hostelling International (Singapore)’s World Youth Rally incentive trip.
nEbO will also work closely with the students to tailor programmes for them as well as with existing and new training partners to enhance the LEAD programme.
Ready To Work
nEbO has also started a Work Attachment Programme with Yio Chu Kang Secondary School. In November last year, 23 Secondary Three students got a chance to work as play guides, guest relations personnel and housekeepers for five days at NTUC Club facilities eXplorerkid, Wild Wild Wet and Costa Sands Resort. As part of their ‘job’, they were introduced to a variety of actual work situations and learnt to provide quality service and deliver memorable and pleasant experiences for guests. They were also introduced to the role of the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union (AREU) in NTUC Club.
nEbO is currently working on a second cycle of the programme with the school and is exploring the idea to extend it to other schools.
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“Youth development should take a holistic approach. Besides pushing youths to excel academically, nEbO understands the importance of building character in youths, getting them Work-Ready, World-Ready and Life-Ready for their future. As such, we decided to start this programme to give youths the invaluable opportunity to build their capabilities. As the workers of tomorrow and future leaders of the Labour Movement, it is critical to provide them with the skills to stand up to the challenges and encourage them to contribute positively in the community.”
Lim Eng Lee, NTUC Alignment Director (nEbO)
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“nEbO’s efforts in engaging and developing these key activists, who are workers of tomorrow and the next generation of the Labour Movement, are worth heralding. OTCi’s collaboration with nEbO will further equip these key activists to become more effective activists, team contributors and team leaders within nEbO and the Labour Movement. As the labour leadership development hub, OTCi is pleased to support the development of these nEbO activists.”
S Thiagarajan, Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi) Director
