8 FEBRUARY 2008
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MICA (P) 295/10/2007
PM Lee:
Learning Is
Ad Infinitum
Job Test... Shirley Chai, a trainee on the
“Back-to-Work” Programme (Retail)
serves a very special customer,
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Learn
By Marcus Lin
THE official opening of the e2i
(Employment and Employability Institute)
by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on
1 February 2008 is but one of a multiprong tripartite strategy to keep adult
Singaporeans on their toes and their
learning curves on a permanent ascent.
The first toxin that gets thrown out the
window is the lame excuse, “you can’t
teach an old dog new tricks”, and the
labour movement is right there in the
thick of things.
In his speech, PM Lee crystallised
unremitting efforts to propel the lifelong
learning culture: “Continuing Education
and Training is one of the Government’s top
priorities. A highly skilled and productive
workforce is one critical advantage that we
must have to compete against others with
natural resources.”
CET helped displaced workers in the
aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis
that brought many countries to their knees.
But even in good times, “CET should be
a core part of the lifelong development of
every worker. If we want Singapore to keep
growing, our workers too must constantly
upgrade.”
The world being in a state of constant
flux, PM Lee said: “No matter how
useful the skills and qualifications we
attain in school are when we graduate,
they will become steadily less relevant
over time. To prepare our workers for
the future, we must systematically
support them throughout their working
lives with skills upgrading and lifelong
learning.”
A national CET Masterplan has been
drawn up “to spur coordinated efforts over
the next 10 years. Clear goals to push up
various sectors have been laid down. Firstclass adult training institutions and more
resources will be needed.”
To that end, the Government puts its
money where its mouth is: “Today, the
Government spends about $200 million
or 0.1 per cent of GDP on adult worker
training. We have set up the Lifelong
Learning Endowment Fund with a target
amount of $5 billion. So far, we have built it
up to $2.2 billion. We will progressively top
this up over the next few years.” The current
CET capacity will go up from about 20,000
to 80,000 trainees yearly, with courses
covering more industries and all manner
of workers.
Unlearn
Where there’s learning, there’s some
unlearning as well. According to PM
Lee: “We will not be able to achieve
our goals without the right attitude and
mindset, amongst both companies and
workers. Companies need to see the value
of investing in the training and development
of their people, to achieve better business
performance. Workers need to keep an
open mind to alternative careers and
opportunities, and make adjustments
throughout their working life.”
This is where the labour movement
comes into the picture.
“NTUC has always played a leading
role in advocating worker training. And
it has backed up its words with strong and
effective action. Over the years, NTUC
has built up significant capability in
training promotion and delivery. It is one
of the largest providers of adult training in
Singapore, with strengths in IT, literacy,
employability and workplace safety.
“NTUC also plays a critical role in
helping workers see the value of CET and
encouraging them to take full advantage
of the opportunities for training. With its
strong outreach capabilities and direct links
with employers, NTUC can mobilise large
numbers of workers to go for training and
match trainees to jobs when they graduate.
Most importantly, NTUC is in tune with
the concerns and mindset of workers, and
has their trust and confidence to do what is
in their best long-term interests.” ■
PM Is Also A Student
LIVING up to the philosophy of lifelong learning, Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself was in a learning mode
when he did his walkabout at the e2i campus. He was an
eager beaver, all eyes and ears and full of questions at every
opportunity when he did a tour of 10 stations each dedicated
to skills training for different sectors of the economy.
One could be forgiven for thinking that he was actually
considering a career switch. What he did was put himself in
their shoes in order to relate better to the circumstances and
backgrounds of the people that e2i was designed to help.
NTUCtw p1Feb08.indd 1
When asked, PM Lee explained: “Well, I want to
understand what their situation is. I mean, how is it that
they are in this position? What has made them come
forward? Because by the time they are here, there’s already
a willingness to do something. They are keen to get moving,
they want to get a job, they have been out of work for a
few years, or in some cases they have not been working for
20-something years. But a friend encouraged them, so they
came, they attended the course, they got the job and now
they are confident and looking for something better.” ■
What has caught the attention of
the Prime Minister? See Page 8
“Partners’ Plaques”. Other stories in
Pages 6 and 7.
2/5/08 4:05:16 AM
2
8 FEBRUARY 2008
Land Transport Review Part III: Cars
Strong Ties Warm Hearts
By Jansen Yeo
TAXI drivers got an early Lunar New
Year hongbao following the decision
by taxi companies to pass on savings
from the reduction of road taxes to
the drivers. This is the result of good
ties between the Taxi Operators’
Associations and taxi companies.
“The TOA has built a strong
relationship with taxi companies
through regular dialogues to
improve members’ welfare. We had
weathered the SARS crisis together.
Therefore, we are able to quickly
garner support from taxi companies
to agree to plough back the savings
to drivers when the Transport
Minister announced the reduction
in road tax. We cherish this strong
bond and will continue working
together to maintain and strengthen
this relationship,” said Mr Seng Han
Thong, Advisor to the TOAs.
Transport Minister Raymond
Lim had announced a 15 per cent
reduction on road taxes for all
vehicles, including taxis. These savings
on taxis’ road taxes, estimated to be
worth $5 million, will go a long way
to enhancing the lives of all taxi
drivers.
“We are grateful that our
company, ComfortDelgro, is passing
on these savings entirely to hirers. As
self-employed workers, many of us
sometimes find it a little challenging
to contribute to our Medisave
accounts regularly. When we have
more savings in our accounts, we
will have to fork out less in cash from
our earnings to top up the accounts.
So, more savings in our Medisave
accounts will definitely help us a
lot,” said Comfort Taxi Operators’
Association Honorary Treasurer Tan
Soon Huat. ■
The
IMPROVING our public transportation is not the
solution but one part of a two-pronged strategy to
ease the congestion on the roads now. Over the past
couple of weeks, Transport Minister Raymond Lim has
announced widespread changes to the bus and rail
transport system to make public transport the choice
mode for Singaporeans. In the last review, measures
to ease congestion will be implemented to make the
roads smooth flowing for drivers.
Building More Roads to Increase
Connectivity and Reduce Travelling Time
• Marina Coastal Expressway (By 2013).
• North-South Expressway (By 2020).
Addressing Congestion Holistically
• Widening the Central Expressway
and Tampines Expressway to increase
capacity.
• Improving interchanges to enhance
connectivity and traffic flow.
TwoWay Road
Improving Bus And Train Services
Changes
• Increase frequencies for basic bus services,
Reduce peak hour waiting time:
including feeder services, particularly on
•
From 15 to 12 minutes (By June 2008).
corridors affected by the Electronic Road Pricing
•
From 12 minutes to 10 minutes (By August 2009).
expansion.
• New bus services along North-South Line and
East-West Line (From June 2008).
Provide an attractive alternative to trains.
• Expand premium bus services.
Increase services from 42 to at least 72. (By June 2008.)
• 93 additional train trips per week during peak
hours (From February 2008).
Reduce waiting time during morning peak-of-peaks to
about 2-3 minutes and down from 7 minutes to 5 to 6
minutes during lunch period.
The NTUC Family Directory
The NTUC This Week Team
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NTUCtw p2-3 8 Feb08.indd 2
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2/5/08 3:56:59 AM
8 FEBRUARY 2008
When the viable alternative of the
integrated rail and bus network is
operating seamlessly in the future, I
might migrate to public transport but in
the meanwhile I will continue to toggle
between using my car and public transport,
based on the needs of the day and cost.
At present, days when I know that I will
be spending a sizeable amount of my
time in the CBD area - my wife will drive
to work and I take the bus and MRT. With
the latest increase in ERP charges, I guess
the occurrences of me going on public
transport will increase. In essence, in the
face of the said changes, while it will not
affect me continuing to own a car, it does
affect the way I use my car.
We are encouraged by the
announcement for more direct
competition of bus services on some of
the rail routes as well as the increase in
premium bus services. This will be an
opportunity for the bus companies to
open up more new services and create
more new job opportunities.
S
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E|R|P
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IN OPERATION
Joseph Nagarajan, First Vice-President,
National Transport Workers’ Union
Edwin Lye, General Secretary,
Singapore Teachers’ Union
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Phasing In Of
fi ERP Changes
The government is
determined to enhance the
public transport ridership
by increasing the ERP
charges and installing more
gantries. With improved
ridership and better service
quality, we hope that
employees’ remuneration
package will be enhanced
to reflect appropriately
the importance of their
contribution to the smoothflowing transport system.
Mak Mun Whai, Executive
Committee Member, National
Transport Workers’ Union
Changes
Effects
• Using the 85th
percentile speed
measurement method
to determine speeds.
Better driving
conditions for
motorists.
• Raising incremental
ERP charges from
$0.50 to $1 and ERP
base charge which is
the starting charge for
new ERP gantry point,
from $1 to $2.
• A total of 16 new
gantries will be
introduced in stages
this year.
Reduce the number of
cars on the road, thus
ensuring a smooth
journey for car users.
Lower Vehicle Ownership Taxes
• 15 per cent reduction in road tax for all
vehicles.
• Reduction of Additional Registration Fee for
cars, lowering the rates of the Open Market
Value from 110 per cent to 100 per cent (From
March 2008).
Lower Vehicle Growth Rate
• Lower the vehicle population growth rate from
3 per cent to 1.5 per cent from Quota Year
2009 (Beginning in May 2009).
•
Review and assessment after three years.
With the introduction of more ERP
gantries, I will plan my routes more
carefully to avoid these gantries
whenever possible. When travelling
with the family, driving is inevitable
for me. However, when I am traveling
alone, I prefer to make use of the
improving public transport system that
we have.
Tham Ming Fong, General Secretary,
Reuters Local Employees’ Union
NTUCtw p2-3 8 Feb08.indd 3
2/5/08 3:57:13 AM
4
8 FEBRUARY 2008
NTWU Dialogues With Bus Crews
A Clearer Picture
Jiahui Lin
MEMBERS of the National Transport Workers’ Union
welcome Land Transport Authority’s major initiatives
to achieve a commuter-centric land transport system
in Singapore. They will work hand in hand with
the union and bus management to accomplish this
common goal.
National Trades Union Congress Assistant SecretaryGeneral, NTWU Executive Secretary and Government
Parliamentary Committee for Transport Member Seng
Han Thong, together with SMRT Bus and SBS Transit
management, listened attentively for more than three
hours at dialogues held at SMRT East District Ang
Mo Kio Depot and SBS Transit East District Ang Mo
Kio Depot on 30 January 2008 and 1 February 2008
respectively.
”The introduction of competition for public
transport operators offers new job opportunities
for all of you. We should work together with NTWU
and the bus management, and educate the public to
achieve a win-win situation for everyone,” said Mr
Seng. “We must not try to guess what each other are
thinking but discuss openly with one another. This is
the only way for us to attain mutual trust between
each other and together we can ensure LTA’s plans
work for you and the commuters.” ■
We did not understand LTA changes
and amendments before the
dialogue. Now I know how to explain
to my members clearly. We should
take up upgrading and customer
service courses offered by the union
to improve our service standards.
Tan Teck Gin, SBS Transit East District Branch Assistant
Secretary, NTWU
We feel more assured that the union
and bus management will look into
our problems.
Lee Hong Chian, Executive Committee
Member and SBS Transit East District Branch
Committee Member, NTWU
My doubts have been answered
during the dialogue. I hope the
opening up of competition in the
bus industry will bring about better
pay and welfare for us.
Rethinasamy Jayakumar, SMRT Bus Kranji
Branch Committee Member, NTWU
As long as you
are a diligent
bus driver who
delivers good
service, your job is
secured.
Seng Han Thong
(second from right)
NTUCtw 8 Feb08.indd 4
I believe that with more companies
bidding for the bus routes, the
companies will not forget about
welfare for employees. With better
welfare, our service quality will
also improve. It will be a win-win
situation for us and the commuters.
Chua Yee Seng, SMRT Bus Ang Mo Kio Branch Committee
Member, NTWU
2/5/08 4:02:52 AM
8 FEBRUARY 2008
A Flexible Retirement
Income Scheme
THE National Lifelong Income
Scheme Committee, formerly known
as the National Longevity Insurance
Committee when it was set up in
September last year, made its key
recommendations after five months
of public consultations involving the
experts, unions, industry, grassroots and
Voluntary Welfare Organisations.
At a dialogue at the Ong Teng
Cheong Institute of Labour Studies last
November, Manpower Minister Ng Eng
Hen made the promise to the 500 union
leaders that the scheme was to help
Singaporeans have enough to take care
of their needs in old age and would be
“as flexible as possible so that you get to
choose what is suitable for yourself”.
With increasing longevity as close
to half of the individuals aged 65 can
expect to live to 85 years, there is a
greater urgency to have a system that
helps to stretch the Minimum Sum
for life. Professor Lim Pin who is the
Chairman of NLISC gave a sneak
preview of the full report, which will
be unveiled on 12 February 2008, to
the National Trades Union Congress
Central Committee on 28 January 2008.
Besides it being flexible in payout age
5
Lifelong
Income In
A Nutshell
THE National Lifelong Income
Scheme Committee has proposed
5 key recommendations to the
Government. The full details will
be announced on 12 February 2008.
The implementation will be subject
to the Government’s acceptance of
the proposal.
• New Name. National Lifelong
Income Scheme
• Earlier Payout Age. This will be
brought forward from age 85 to
80.
As Flexible As Possible… Minister Ng Eng Hen has a heart-to-heart talk with union leaders on what the scheme
will have in store.
and refundability, he said the scheme
will aim to be basic and affordable to
cover as many Singaporeans as possible
with a regular stream of income for their
old age.
In a separate dialogue with residents
and grassroots leaders, Dr Ng said the
scheme will be introduced in 2013. He
estimated 900,000 of the 1.5 million
active CPF members will get at least
$600 monthly from age 65 for the rest
of their lives. ■
• Flexibility
• Payout Age. Member can
choose when he wants to start
receiving the annuity. This can
be 80 or even younger.
• Refundability of Premium.
Member can choose to have
his capital sum given back to
his family when he passes away
before payout. Alternatively,
he can get a larger monthly
payout.
• Administrator. CPF Board will
run the scheme as part of the CPF
savings plan.
Pay More To Pay Less
WORKERS can expect to pay higher
MediShield premiums for smaller hospital
bills. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said
with more benefits, premiums must go
up this year. The proposed increase is the
first since the revamped national health
insurance scheme came into being three
years ago. Before July 2005, the hospital
insurance provided for 40 per cent of
large hospital bills of $10,000 and above.
After the overhaul with premium hike
of between $1.50 and $11.25 a month,
Medishield improved its coverage to 60
per cent of large hospital bills. However,
this has proven inadequate with costly
Affordability
Versus Coverage
I need to find a nice trade off
between an increase in premium
which is affordable versus how
much benefit I can encourage
MediShield to pay out.
Intensive Care Unit stays and non-standard
implants today.
The proposed increase will slash the
co-payment for the 2.8 million subsidised
patients from 40 per cent to 20 per cent
for large hospital bills. Mr Khaw hinted
that the increase would be capped at $10
per month or $120 per year. This was based
on feedback received on the hike limit that
Singaporeans were comfortable with.
Premiums will be increased across the
board for the younger ones currently
paying $30 per month to octogenarians
paying $705, with higher increases for the
elderly. ■
Beneficial Even Though
Timing Is Not Ideal
The timing for the increase in premium may cause
a bit of concern but the increase itself is reasonable
as workers would have a much higher coverage for
big hospital bills and this is beneficial to them.
Halimah Yacob, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General and Chairman,
Government Parliamentary Committee for Health
Khaw Boon Wan
NTUCtw 8 Feb08.indd 5
2/5/08 4:52:53 AM
6
8 FEBRUARY 2008
Positioned
To Help
Workers
Breaking
Barriers
THE Employability Camp is an
intervention programme that
handholds job seekers and
ushers them into the job market.
Negative body language can
sometimes be a barrier that blocks
a person from being employed. At
the Employability Camp, trainers
teach job seekers how to conduct
themselves during interviews,
including how to stand, how to
sit and how to hold their files
- minor points that may help them
to nab the job. The Employability
Camp Plus offers a good mix of
courses and group activities such
as team-building, confidencebuilding, mindset addressing and
personal development courses and
activities.
Keys To A Quality Drive
A PIONEERING 100 taxi drivers
are gearing up for a drive to
provide quality service to their
passengers. The Customer Centric
Initiative for the taxi industry
provides the keys for this venture. A
collaboration among taxi companies,
taxi operators’ associations and
government agencies like Land
Transport Authority and Workforce
Development Agency, the Taxi
CCI strives to enhance the service
standard of the industry in a holistic
way that will mark the roads for a
Pictures by Alvin Toh
Gold For Gold
AS e2i partners the labour movement’s Silver Collar
Dragonboat’s plans to place seniors above the age of 50 on jobs,
the i-Care programme adds more depth to the jobs that they
may take on. The programme is one which creates platforms for
them to serve other elderlies. A non-medical home care-giving
training programme, i-Care, is held in partnership with e2i,
NTUC ElderCare Co-operative Limited and Singapore General
Hospital for NTUC ElderCare Care@home Service. With training
from professional medical trainers from SGH, to date, 24 seniors
have been trained and 15 of them have secured placements.
There are also plans to have i-Care WSQ certified with an aim to
professionalise the job image and training.
premium ride for both the passenger
and the driver.
The trained taxi drivers will
become Service Champions in pursuit
of elevating industry-wide service
level. The training, carried out in
two phases, is conducted by NTUC
LearningHub Private Limited and the
Singapore Taxi Academy at e2i. The
Taxi CCI has targeted to train 10,000
taxi drivers by 2009 in Phase 1 and
complete training for all 40,000 taxi
drivers in Phase 2.
Skill Up And Move Up
SPANNING across four industries, the
Job Preparation Exercise works on a
mission to arm job seekers with the
necessary skills to embark on their job
roles. Tailored for the specific needs
of workers in the various industries
such as the taxi, landscape, security
and retail, the JPE is designed with a
comprehensive package that screens,
trains and places job seekers on jobs
that best suit them.
NTUCtw p1 6-7 8 Feb08.indd 6
A Blessing
MR WEE HOCK CHYE, 60, who has less than two
years of working experience in the landscape
industry, is grateful that e2i offers the WSQ
Certificate in Landscape Operations. After working
odd jobs for the past one year, he feels that e2i’s
courses are a blessing.
“I have always been very interested in nature.
Therefore, I’m keen and excited to start attending
this programme as I can learn from hands-on and
on-site practical training. I believe I will definitely be
more prepared for work in the landscape industry
upon my graduation.”
2/5/08 4:53:51 AM
8 FEBRUARY 2008
By Jansen Yeo, Naseema Banu Maideen
and Jiahui Lin
THE National Trades Union Congress
intends to keep employment rate
up and unemployment rate and
under-employment rate down, and
e2i (Employment and Employability
Institute) will help make this happen.
e2i is a skills-based institute that
equips workers with the right mindset
and relevant skills to help them stay
employable for as long as they are healthy
and fit. It is strategically positioned to
play a key role in supporting the national
initiative to build a world-class Continuing
Education and Training infrastructure by
leveraging on the unique strengths of
the labour movement in helping workers
stay employable for life.
Speaking at the opening of e2i, Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave assurance
that the Institute has the full support of
the Government.
“e2i will be a key driver for the
adoption of national qualifications and
skills standards across all industries. Its
work will go beyond skills training and job
placements to address systemic industry
issues that affect worker productivity.
For example, the Institute plans to
work closely with the Government and
employers to re-design jobs for more
viable career progression paths, review
and streamline regulatory mechanisms
and raise the level of Human Resource
Playing It
Safe
JUST as the labour movement
wants Singaporeans to have
jobs, it also wants workers
to return home safely. For
many years, it has encouraged
employers to provide a safe
working environment, while
urging workers to take safety
precautions. The Workplace
Safety and Health Institute at e2i
offers professional and sectorbased WSH training for the likes
of airport workers and healthcare
workers, among others.
practices. With a broad spectrum
of capabilities in the e2i, the labour
movement will be better positioned
to champion the cause of workers,
whether they are unemployed, lowwage workers, women intending to go
back to work or mature workers, and
provide for their training needs and
welfare,” said PM Lee.
e2i works with tripartite partners
as well as industry associations and
private training providers to provide the
infrastructural support to open up job
opportunities for workers in 10 sectors,
such as food and beverage, retail and
security. The Institute aims to generate
10,000 training places and place 2,000
workers in jobs.
7
“e2i will provide the infrastructure for
the labour movement to help all workers
in Singapore to attain better skills, get
better jobs, enjoy better pay and lead a
better life. Essentially -- better jobs for
life,” said e2i Chief Executive Officer Zee
Yoong Kang (above). ■
Enhancing The Tricks
Of The Trade
FOR workers without secondary school education,
the Employability Skills System provides the basic
skills and a route to employment and career
upgrading opportunities. Programmes range
from basic Workplace Literacy and Numeracy to
Communication and Relationship Management.
Workers undergo a Computer Adaptive Test
to assess their literacy levels. Workers of lower
educational levels undergo the various skills
training at e2i to improve their current abilities,
upgrade their skills and set themselves up for a
new path to better skills, better jobs, better pay
and better lives.
Serving Up A Storm
THERE is always a high
demand for workers in hotels,
restaurants, small eateries and
catering kitchens. To ensure
that the food and beverage
industry is not short of welltrained staff, the Restaurant
Can We Help You?
CareerLink@e2i offers
not only resources and
information for those who
need employment assistance
but also employability
coaching and training
advisory to improve workers’
employability.
Association of Singapore and
the Singapore Culinary Institute
will run Workforce Skills
Qualifications programmes
at e2i to train up Kitchen
Assistants, Waitresses and even
Master Chefs.
THERE is now a two-step strategy to woo
women back into the workforce. The first
step is to prepare women job seekers and
the second step is to prepare companies
to welcome them. The NTUC Women’s
Development Secretariat works with e2i,
NTUC’s Employability Department, the
Community Development Councils, NTUC
LearningHub, Ministry of Manpower,
WDA and Singapore National Employers
Federation to implement a lineup of
initiatives in this trial programme. The
“30 Minutes To Work” Job Fair, Work-Life
Harmony Initiatives and the Flexi-Works!
Scheme are part of this. Job seekers are also
placed on retail training which encompasses
cashiering skills using Point-of-Sale
machines.
NTUCtw p1 6-7 8 Feb08.indd 7
The Wooing Tactic
2/5/08 4:59:56 AM
8
8 FEBRUARY 2008
PM’s Walkabout At e2i
Where
There’s A Will
To Work
There’s
A Way
That
Works
Pictures by Alvin Toh
Partners’ Plaques
“e2i’s operating model is
working with a network of
partners for training and job
placements. Centre for Urban
Greenary and Ecology, Real
Estate and Construction Centre,
Singapore Culinary Institute,
Singapore Taxi Academy…
These are the training providers
located at e21,” said e2i Chief
Executive Officer Zee Yoong
Kang, gesturing to the 10
partners’ plaques on the wall.
“But these are empty,” PM Lee pointing to 5 plaques without names and
logos.
“We’re looking for more partners, and when we secure them, we’ll put
their names and their logos up there,” explained NTUC Secretary-General Lim
Swee Say, who was part of the team that hosted PM Lee.
Workplace Safety And Health
SINCE the start of the Workplace Safety and Health legislative framework reform,
the work-related fatality rate has dropped by more than one-third – from 4.9 per
100,000 workers in 2004 to 3.1 in 2006. NTUC’s goal is to support the national WSH
framework to halve the workplace fatality rate by 2015 and achieve WSH excellence
in Singapore. The WSH Institute at e2i offers professional and sector-based WSH
training towards this end.
“How many have taken part so far?” asked PM Lee.
“Some 800 union leaders
and key management partners
spanning eight sectors have
been trained,” said Mr Yeo.
“So many already? What do
they learn?”
“Our focus has been on
the hazards that are sector
specific. The workshops
facilitated greater involvement
in hazard identification and
accident prevention, as well as
better understanding of the
Workplace Safety and Health Act
requirements.”
By Shirley Tan-Oehler
WHEN the Prime Minister goes on a walkabout, he wants to know what makes
the people in a particular constituency tick. Likewise, when he toured e2i
(Employment and Employability Institute) on 1 February 2008, he wanted to
know how this new facility is going to contribute to increasing employment
rate and decreasing unemployment rate and under-employment rate.
So he spoke with many people – those who manage e2i, those who run
the various training programmes there, those who have signed up for the
various courses, and those who were visiting e2i for the first time and curious
if better skills could indeed lead to better jobs and better lives.
After a two-hour walkabout, PM Lee Hsien Loong concluded that it’s
going take a lot of people with a lot of passion to sustain e2i and make it
succeed.
“This is a job where you need people who are very passionate about what
they are doing and enjoy working with individuals, helping people one by
one, and giving people the confidence to solve their problems and to go
forth and take on a new job.
“I thought it was very good to see people coming forward and trying it
out, going through the courses. They are not young anymore. They are in
their 40s and 50s. To go through something new, unfamiliar... It’s a little bit
awkward, but let’s go through it and see if we can break through.”
PM Lee was particularly impressed by the three workers featured in the
introductory video, whose lives changed after they learnt new skills and got
into new jobs – Building Custodian Mohamed Bali Kartio, Wafer Fab Specialist
Lim Hui Bin and Landscape Technician Jamaludin Abdul Samad, who he also
spent time with after his walkabout.
“I think there are stories of people who have made it like the ones who
were on the video. It gives us confidence that there are a good number who
can make the effort with some help, and it is our duty to do our utmost to
help them succeed.”■
NTUCtw 8 Feb08.indd 8
Singapore Culinary
Institute
THE Food and Beverage industry requires a continuous supply of skilled
manpower and PM Lee took a keen interest in the trainees’ training. He asked
Restaurant Association of Singapore’s Assistant Executive Director Jerry Lim
about the ratio of local and foreign trainees, the trainer’s profile and stepped
into the classroom to view the trainees going through a theory lesson.
“Why are they wearing different uniforms?” asked PM Lee.
“One group is service staff and the other group is kitchen staff. They’re
attending a course on food hygiene, which is why we have a mix of service staff
and kitchen staff in one classroom,” explained Mr Lim.
Turning to the trainees, PM asked: “So how do you find this course? Does it
benefit you in finding a job in the F&B sector?”
“Yes, of course!” came their resounding reply.
2/5/08 3:33:03 AM
8 FEBRUARY 2008
Computer Adaptive Test And
Employability Skills System
THE Employability Skills System
provides basic skill training
for low-skilled workers, for
example those who cannot
access jobs and specific
skills training because they
do not have “N” and “O”
levels certification. The ESS
certification allows them to get
job-ready skills and to bridge
into jobs and training requiring
“N” or “O” levels. Those
workers who did not complete
their secondary education can go to the Centre for Employability Skills, take a
computer test to ascertain their standard of literacy and numeracy and, if need
be, sign up at NTUC LearningHub Private Limited to improve themselves so that
they qualify for skills training courses and better jobs.
The ESS is now accepted as a proxy for “N” and “O” levels by the Institute
of Technical Education, Public Service Division and more than 300 companies in
Singapore.
PM Lee was interested in the recognition of ESS and that companies were
already advertising to attract workers who have undergone the literacy and
numeracy programme.
He inspected a computer test session and asked how the system worked. It
was explained that the computer automatically adjusts the level of difficulty of
the question to the test taker and in this way, it is able to very quickly determine
and certify the trainee’s level of proficiency.
“So what if a person is unable to use the computer?” PM asked.
“Test takers are asked if they have used a computer before. If not, they
are given some simple instruction and time to practise until they are able
and confident to take the test,” said Dr Gary Maurice Willmott, Deputy Chief
Executive of Workforce Development Agency. Dr Willmott went on to explain
that people normally took a set of three tests over about 1.5 hours.
“What are the three tests that they’re taking?” PM continued.
“The current tests are for Reading, Literacy and Numeracy and two more tests,
for Speaking and Writing, will be introduced this year,” said Dr Willmott.
As he was leaving the room, PM Lee asked where trainees could take up
training to improve their skill levels.
“In fact, right here,” replied Dr Willmott, and PM Lee was shown along the
corridor to NTUC LearningHub’s Beginner Literacy and Numeracy Class.
PM Lee viewed the class taking a lesson on Conversational English and
Preparation for A Job Interview. He observed that most of the trainees were
older workers.
“Indeed, that’s the case,” said Dr Willmott. “More than 60 per cent of the
over 3,000 workers who have undergone this training are over 40 years old. This
is a valuable pathway to help our older workers get jobs and improve their jobs.”
Employability Camp
MADAM Lee Lay Pin, 45, had
only primary school education.
She had worked for a catering
company which closed down
about two years ago. She has
been unemployed since. She
was frustrated when employers
put down the phone after she
told them her age.
Madam Lee attended
a Cashier/Job Preparation
Exercise course in September
last year and afterwards was offered a job but she did not take it up as she was
not confident about her ability to manage the work. She was also worried that
she would be disadvantaged due to age and lack of computer skills. So a month
later, Madam Lee, who has a young daughter, joined Employability Camp Plus. Her
family came by to give her support. She now works as a part-time Cashier at Popular
Bookstore.
“So how did the Employability Camp Plus help you?” PM asked.
“I learnt how to how to carry out my own job search. I am more confident and I
feel that I can take on a fulltime job,” said Madam Lee.
“Oh… What do you want to do?”
“I have gone for an interview to be a Receptionist. I am waiting for the result of
my interview. I have also changed my hair colour after the Camp,” Madam Lee said,
to PM’s laughter.
NTUCtw 8 Feb08.indd 9
9
Taxi Customer-Centric Initiative
SOME 30 taxi drivers from all six taxi
service companies were discussing how
they should respond to passengers in
various challenging situations when PM Lee
visited the Taxi Customer-Centric Initiative
station.
“You should discuss how to work
around the ERP problem too,” PM Lee said,
drawing laughter.
Noting the importance of courteous and customer-centric taxi drivers, PM Lee said:
“You are the first person that a visitor to Singapore talks to. You are our ambassadors.
What you do and say is very important.”
Silver Collar
CARE@HOME is an initiative of the Silver Collar
Dragonboat where seniors can help seniors. It is a nonmedical home care-giving training programme which
NTUC Eldercare Co-operative Limited has collaborated
with e2i and Singapore General Hospital.
PM Lee saw how trainees, who will become iCare
Officers, take turns at lifting non-ambulant “patients”
from the bed and placed into a wheelchair.
“This is not easy. You may not be caring for someone of your same size when you
are on the actual job,” PM Lee observed.
Turning to NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How, PM Lee asked: “Have
any of these trainees been job-matched?”
“This programme has trained 24 people, of whom 15 have been placed in jobs,” said
Mr Heng.
Back-To-Work Women
MADAM Shirley Chai used to run a silver
jewellery business. She decided to close
shop two years ago when her 10-year
investment brought little returns. It
was a hard hit, and her confidence was
shaken. Last year, she plucked up enough
courage to join the Employability
Camp. Now, at 45, she has signed up for
training to become a Cashier under the
Back-to-Work Women’s Programme.
“What do you want to do after this?” PM Lee, who played “shopper” at
Madam Chai’s training station, asked.
“I want to be a Cashier at an NTUC FairPrice Supermarket,” she said with a
wide smile.
Job Preparation Exercises - Retail,
Landscape, Security And Taxi
PM LEE approached an elderly man who
was quietly surveying the goings-on
around him.
“What are you doing here?” asked PM
Lee.
“I’m here hoping to find a job as a
Security Guard,” said Mr Lee Yum Lum.
“How old are you?”
“71. Do you think anyone will hire me?”
“You can try…”
Mr Lee used to be a Manager in a company dealing in construction equipment.
He was retrenched in 1994. From 1995 to 2007, he had worked as a Personal
Driver, Warehouse Assistant and Hotel Telephonist. They were all part-time jobs.
He wants a fulltime job, a job that is more definite in working hours. He said he
exercises regularly and is in good health,
Later, when PM Lee was introduced to the Security Job Preparation Exercise, he
remembered Mr Lee.
“I just met a 71-year-old man. He wants to be a Security Guard. Will you hire
someone like him?”
“We will interview him and assess him,” said Union of Security Employees’
Executive Secretary Patick Tay. USE is e2i’s partner in its Security Job Preparation
Exercise, which screens, trains, places and trains suitable job seekers for the
security industry.
2/5/08 3:33:28 AM
10
8 FEBRUARY 2008
Singapore Staves Off Shanghai To Be No.1
PSA International Chief Thanks
Unions And Staff For Support
PSA has continuously given
its support and
encouragement to
all our activities.
We pledge our
commitments to
the corporation and
this will in turn benefit our
members as a whole.
Lam Yuen Shin
President, SPWU
By Jiahui Lin
SINGAPORE retained the world’s
busiest container port title despite stiff
competition from Shanghai and port
operator PSA International says it’s all
thanks to its strategic partners which
include the unions – Singapore Port
Workers’ Union and Port Officers’ Union.
NTUCtw 8 Feb08.indd 10
PSA announced on 11 January 2008
that it had turned in 14.8 per cent
growth at all its ports, which handled
a record 58.85 million standard boxes.
This is the third year since 2005 that
PSA International has been voted “Best
Global Container Terminal Operator”
at the Asian Freight & Supply Chain
Awards.
“I would like to extend our deep
appreciation to our staff, unions and
contractors for their daily pursuit of
excellence and efficiency to provide
customer-focused services that have made
our achievements in 2007 possible,” said
Mr Eddie Teh, PSA International Group
Chief Executive Officer.
PSA is confident of another good year
and said it will expand capacity at its
Pasir Panjang terminal and upgrade
its Brani, Keppel and Tanjong Pagar
terminals.
“We will continue to invest in berths
and equipment and provide best-in-
class services to meet the needs of our
customers as they grow their business in
2008.”
To do this, PSA will continue to
employ the finest talents in the industry.
It wants to develop win-win relationships
with its partners.
SPWU President Lam Yuen Shin said
his union is proud of the recognition from
PSA and will continue to work with the
management closely to overcome any
future challenges. ■
2/5/08 4:11:32 AM
8 FEBRUARY 2008
11
COMMENTARY
Friends Make It All Worthwhile
By Neo Gim Kian
REWIND to 2001… I had just joined
NTUC-Administration and Research
Unit and I remember how little I knew
about unions and the workings of our
unions then. To be sure, I knew a lot
more about our cooperatives – NTUC
FairPrice Supermarket, NTUC Income
Insurance, NTUC Healthcare Medical
Clinics and Dental Clinics. That’s
because their brands were more widely
displayed.
FAST FORWARD to 2008… I
felt a sense of anticipation as well as
reminiscence when I was informed that
I would be assigned to NTUC Club in
February 2008.
I have had quite a number of
opportunities to contribute to different
parts of the NTUC Family – looking
at corporate governance and building
the corporate communications team
being two. But, I must say leading the
Membership Team and working with
union leaders on organisation and
NTUCtw 8 Feb08.indd 11
bringing NTUC Members more and
better benefits have been the most
memorable. In particular, crossing the
500,000 mark last year must be a highlight
for all of us in the labour movement. The
achievement was possible only because
of the hard work put in by union leaders
and staff, and absolutely everybody.
It has been a wonderful experience
leading the Membership Team in NTUC
– organising roadshows, organising new
branches, going into new industries,
forging strategic alliances and forming
interest groups.
I am fortunate that the nature of work
in the Membership Department also
required me to work closely with our
union leaders. I got to better understand
and appreciate our union leaders and
how hard they have to work to get a
branch organised, how their work has
a start but not an end. I was moved to
tears by “Gritty Nithi”. I shared their joy
when what they did resulted in making a
difference to every member. Best of all, I
have made many friends along the way.
As I take on my new assignment
in NTUC Club, I look forward to
continuing these relationships and
working closely with our union leaders,
strategic partners and staff to bring
about an environment for better Work!
Live! and Play! for all working people in
Singapore. No doubt, the Play! element
will be more pronounced at NTUC Club.
But do remember, All Work and No
Play makes Jack a Dull Boy, and NTUC
Club will provide you with opportunities
aplenty for worklife balance. ■
Editor’s Note: Neo Gim Kian has been assigned to NTUC Club on a full-time basis. He is Cluster Director
for Corporate and Resource Development and will oversee Downtown East, Jackpot operations, Finance,
Human Resource, Business Technology and Administration and Corporate Communications as well as
project planning and development for the expansion of NTUC Club.
2/5/08 4:50:48 AM
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Wishing All An Auspicious
& Prosperous Lunar New Year
From the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of
2/4/08 9:41:22 PM
13
2006 年11月02日
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142006 年11月02日
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Peace and Prosperity for the Nation
Housing And Development Board Staff Union
530 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #04-01 HDB Hub Singapore 310530
Tel: 6336 5544 Fax: 6356 6798
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Academic Staff Union
535 Clementi Road Singapore 599489
Tel: 6460 8303 Fax: 6468 5950
Singapore Organisation Of Seamen
52 Chin Swee Road #09-00 Seacare Building Singapore 169875
Tel: 6379 5666 Fax: 6734 5525
ቤฤॕ၃Lj
૴ርྙፀ
Wishing One and All An Auspicious and
Prosperous Lunar New Year
NTUC Childcare Co-operative Limited
70 Geylang Bahru #02-2719 Singapore 330070
Tel: 6391 9233 Fax: 6293 3460
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