Employment and employability

Focus Area 4

Given the evolving economic landscape, it is important to support the Malay/Muslim (MM) community in remaining relevant and employable. By providing essential skills development and career guidance, M³ empowers individuals to seize available opportunities and thrive in the workforce.

Co-led by Mr. Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, and Dr Wan Rizal, Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar GRC, and launched in October 2020, this focus area aims to bridge our workers to employment opportunities to meet their immediate needs, as well as enhance the capability of our workforce through skills upgrading and lifelong learning initiatives, thereby strengthening their resilience and ensuring their employability in the future.

This focus area supports a wide spectrum of the community, including mature jobseekers (40 years and above), mid-career switchers, fresh graduates, young workers, women looking to re-enter the workforce, platform workers and vulnerable workers.

Ecosystem of Support

The rapid pace of technological innovation is revolutionising the job market, rendering certain industries obsolete and transforming the skills required for success. To remain competitive in this dynamic landscape, individuals must proactively acquire new knowledge and skills. Our ecosystem, including NTUC's e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), Workforce Singapore (WSG), and MENDAKI, offers a comprehensive range of resources designed to assist workers in adapting to the evolving demands of the future of work.

By providing targeted initiatives and short-term training programs, we empower individuals to transition seamlessly into emerging fields and industries. These programs equip workers with the essential skills and competencies needed to thrive in the job market, such as digital literacy, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation. By investing in the development of our workforce, we can increase employment opportunities, enhance productivity, and ensure Singapore's continued economic prosperity in the face of technological disruption.

Partnerships and collaborations

NTUC with NTUC’s e2i, NTUC LearningHub, Workforce Singapore (WSG), Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) and MENDAKI, through career fairs and the recent Jobs & Skills Carnival, assisted approximately more than 6,000 Malay/Muslim workers and close to 20% them had received further coaching and guidance through Focus Area 4’s (FA4) initiatives. This includes career guidance, job matching and upskilling opportunities.

This partnership has strengthened coordination and collaboration in M³ networks in the delivery of relevant employment and employability programmes. For example, the NTUC Women and Family (WAF) and MENDAKI had worked together to provide link ups between the WAF’s Women Supporting Women Mentoring Programme and MENDAKI’s Women At Work (W@W) programme, where the W@W participants were referred to NTUC’s e2i for career coaching and job assistance through NTUC’s WAF.

Community Engagements

FA4 employs a multi-faceted communication strategy to reach a broader audience and raise awareness of its initiatives. This includes the use of podcasts and radio programs as valuable platforms for disseminating information about career opportunities, skills development programmes, and other relevant resources. These channels allow for in-depth discussions, sharing of expert insights, and direct engagement with listeners, making them effective tools for fostering awareness and interest.

In addition to broadcast media, FA4 actively organizes community events and dialogue sessions to facilitate engagement with the Malay/Muslim community. These gatherings provide a valuable face-to-face opportunity for individuals to ask questions, seek advice, and learn more about the available support services. By combining these diverse communication channels, FA4 has been able to effectively reach and engage a wide range of individuals, promoting awareness and participation in its initiatives.

Last Mile Delivery

Union leaders, acting as trusted intermediaries, play a pivotal role in connecting jobseekers with relevant employment opportunities within FA4's Greenlane business partners. Through personalised home visits, the union leaders engage in in-depth conversations with residents to understand the individual's specific needs, career aspirations, and unique challenges. This empathetic approach allows union leaders to build rapport and gain valuable insights that facilitate the job matching process for residents.  

With a deep understanding of each jobseeker's qualifications, skills, and preferences, union leaders actively seek out suitable roles within FA4's Greenlane network. They leverage their industry knowledge and relationships to identify companies that align with the jobseeker's career goals and offer promising opportunities for growth and development. By carefully matching the jobseeker to  appropriate positions, union leaders help to ensure a seamless transition into the workforce and contribute to the overall success of both jobseekers and employers.

For further information on FA4, reach out to us at FA4@ntuc.org.sg

MENDAKI: https://www.mendaki.org.sg/programmes/women-at-work/

NTUC’s e2i: https://www.e2i.com.sg/

NTUC LearningHub: https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/

SSG: myskillsfuture.gov.sg

LLI: https://www.lli.sg/

WSG: www.wsg.gov.sg