NTUC U FSE Centre, located at Level 7 of the National Library Building, is a helpdesk for Freelancers and Self-Employed persons (FSEs) who are looking to get assistance with NTUC care schemes, and other support schemes. This centre also provides access to programmes in collaboration with Launch, NLB’s business training and advisory service, through talks, training sessions, workshops and information advisory services, which are aimed at upskilling FSEs and enhancing sustainability and career health.
Beyond the MOU, NTUC is also kickstarting its pilot initiative, the U FSE Freelancer Directory to provide holistic support to freelancers in the coaching, creative and media sectors for better work prospects.
Launch of new NTUC U FSE Centre
The NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) and the National Library Board (NLB) this morning signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the U FSE Centre at the National Library Building, within the National Library Board’s (NLB) Launch space at Level 7. Witnessed by NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong, NLB’s Chief Executive Officer Ng Cher Pong, the MOU was signed by Alicia Yeo, Director of National Library and Jean See, NTUC Director of the Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit.
During the pandemic, one of the main challenges faced by FSEs was not knowing where to go for information relating to their work, such as applying for government digital services for work, which impacted their livelihoods. With this in mind, the U FSE Centre has been set up as a helpdesk to provide FSEs looking to get assistance.
Collaboration to Roll Out Programmes
Under the MOU, U FSE and NLB will also collaborate on programmes to strengthen income security, skills mastery, occupational safety and occupational health for FSEs. The programmes comprise business skills workshops to impart business fundamentals such as starting out right as a freelancer, profitable business model, brand and reputation management.
There will also be industry talks on trends impacting freelancers such as on AI, fair hiring practices, as well as programmes covering personal finance, health and wellbeing, and career wayfinding. These upcoming programmes will complement NLB’s Launch initiative to support the business and the entrepreneurship community including freelancers, microbusinesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals looking to upskill.
New U FSE Freelancer Directory
Beyond this collaboration, U FSE is kickstarting a new digital Freelancer Directory for FSEs to list their skills, expertise, and services. U FSE will tap on its collaborative relationships to market the Freelancer Directory as the go-to platform for professional freelancers to the NTUC network of affiliated unions, social enterprises, and companies as well as government agencies and trade bodies.
This directory is part of U FSE’s ongoing effort to holistically support FSEs to broaden their network and increase work prospects. To this end, as service providers increasingly turn to online platforms to search for services for their businesses, the Freelancer Directory will help to increase the discoverability of FSEs and the services they provide. As U FSE is building up its repository of freelancers for the creative, media, and coaching sectors, FSEs from other sectors will be invited to join the Freelancer Directory subsequently. To access the online directory, click here.
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong said, “Freelancers and self-employed persons are a diverse group. Unlike traditional employment, they encounter unique challenges such as limited access to structured training and job security concerns. This partnership with National Library Board aims to better support freelancers and self-employed persons with resources and programmes so that they can build a sustainable livelihood. Additionally, NTUC’s initiatives, U FSE Freelancer Directory and the U FSE Centre, will also provide a holistic support system for FSEs to thrive. Through these efforts, NTUC is advocating for better work prospects, welfare and wages for our members because every worker matters.”
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer Ng Cher Pong said, “About 3,500 patrons have already tapped on the resources and programmes at Launch@Punggol Regional Library, which opened last April. Now freelancers and solopreneurs can look forward to more resources, networking opportunities and co-working spaces with our newly opened Launch service at the National Library Building. We are happy to partner NTUC U FSE, who share a similar vision in supporting freelancers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and self-employed persons through resources, programmes, communities and networks. This is aligned with NLB’s LAB25 (Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025) goal to provide a Learning Marketplace, bringing greater learning opportunities to all. We are also excited to share that Launch will soon open at its third location at Jurong Regional Library, making this service accessible to even more patrons.”
NTUC U FSE Centre Operating Hours, Services and Programmes
The centre will officially start on 4 April 2024. The operating hours are 10am to 3pm (lunch break is 12pm to 1pm) on Thursday for walk-ins. Enquiry services that will be offered:
Vocational license renewal for taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (PHV)
Government-paid family leave schemes and other government schemes relevant to FSEs
National registries for coaches and exercise professionals respectively
NTUC care schemes
NTUC membership
The services provided at the U FSE Centre are complimentary.
For the list of upcoming programmes available at the U FSE Centre and NLB’s Launch, please refer to Annex A.
