NTUC’s e2i, the Employment and Employability Institute, is set to take over the management of two career centers and 10 Jobs and Skills Centers from Workforce Singapore (WSG) starting April 1st. This transition marks a significant step in reshaping the landscape of career facilitation services in Singapore.
With this move, e2i will now oversee a total of four career centers and 22 Jobs and Skills Centers across the island, while WSG will continue to operate its flagship Careers Connect center at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Paya Lebar, along with its mobile Careers Connect On-The-Go service.
Mr. Desmond Tan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and National Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general, highlighted the importance of this shift during the Budget debate on Feb 27th, emphasizing the need for more details to come.
The joint statement released by the two organizations on March 11th emphasized the strategic realignment of roles. WSG will focus on strengthening the career health of Singapore’s workforce by driving initiatives aimed at helping individuals stay updated with the evolving job landscape and setting long-term career goals. This includes programs like the Polaris initiative, which supports individuals in mapping out their career development while employed, and digital services like CareersFinder on WSG’s MyCareersFuture portal, providing personalized job and upskilling recommendations.
Meanwhile, e2i will leverage its expanded network to enhance ground outreach efforts, offering personalized career coaching, skills upgrading advisory, and job-matching services across communities in Singapore. The institute aims to empower various segments of the workforce, including professionals, managers, executives, technicians, youth, mature workers, vulnerable workers, and back-to-work women, by providing them with essential tools and employability skills to navigate the dynamic job market successfully.
The collaboration between e2i and WSG ensures a smooth transition for Singaporeans in need of employment assistance. Clients currently receiving services from WSG’s career centers will continue to be served by their existing coaches, while individuals can access career advice through WSG’s mobile network of Careers Connect On-The-Go.
WSG’s decision to retain its flagship Careers Connect center reflects the organization’s commitment to supplementing the provision of career-matching services, ensuring continued support for job seekers.
Looking ahead, WSG stated that about 200 employed individuals have enrolled in the Polaris program since its launch and is exploring additional efforts to align with this strategic shift, with further details to be provided later.
The realignment of career center management signifies a collaborative effort between government agencies and the labor movement to enhance support for job seekers and the workforce at large. By streamlining resources and focusing on targeted initiatives, Singapore is poised to strengthen its position in workforce development and adaptability amid ongoing economic transformations.
List of centres e2i will run (from April 1 for those in bold)
Career centres:
Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability
One Marina Boulevard
Our Tampines Hub
Woodlands Civic Centre
Jobs and Skills Centres:
Bishan Community Club
Ci Yuan Community Club
Clementi Community Centre
The Frontier Community Club
Social Service Office @ Bukit Merah
Social Service Office @ Queenstown
Teck Ghee Community Club
Toa Payoh West Community Club
Yew Tee Community Club
Hong Kah North Community Club
Whampoa Community Club
Yuhua Community Club
Bukit Panjang Community Club
Fernvale Community Centre
ServiceSG @ Bukit Canberra
ServiceSG @ Kampong Chai Chee Community Club
ServiceSG @ Nee Soon Central Community Club
ServiceSG @ One Punggol
MacPherson Community Club
Marine Parade Community Club
Pasir Ris Elias Community Club
The Serangoon Community Club
Centre remaining under WSG’s management:
Careers Connect (Lifelong Learning Institute)
