SINGAPORE: NTUC continues to drive impactful initiatives to enhance job security and career growth for Professionals, Managers, and Executives (PMEs). Speaking at the Pre-Budget Media Session, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng reiterated NTUC’s commitment to scaling up efforts in workforce upskilling, business transformation, and close collaboration with tripartite partners to secure job stability and long-term career success for all workers.
NTUC’s Proven Initiatives to Enhance Job Security
Company Training Committees (CTCs)
Since 2019, NTUC has established over 3,000 Company Training Committees (CTCs), benefiting about 200,000 workers. The S$100 million CTC Grant introduced in 2022 has supported structured career pathways, skills training, and an average wage increase of 5% above annual increments. Mr Ng highlighted the need to expand these efforts to help more businesses and workers benefit from transformation and ensure fair wage growth.
Strengthening Career Support
NTUC’s e2i placed over 29,000 jobseekers in 2024, of which close to 60% were PME workers. The number of PME job placements facilitated by NTUC’s e2i close to doubled, from 8,800 in 2023 to 17,000 in 2024. The AI-powered Virtual Career Coach (VCC), launched in August 2024, has assisted more than 3,500 jobseekers. Mr Ng underscored NTUC’s commitment to leveraging technology to provide workers with better career planning and placement opportunities.
Mentorship and Business Transformation
NTUC has expanded its Executive Mentorship Programme, with 1,200 mentors in the NTUC Mentors Network offering career guidance. The new pilot initiative, Company Mentorship Circle (CMC), in partnership with unions and businesses, will support all workers, including PMEs in terms of career growth. Additionally, NTUC’s Queen Bee partnership with ST Engineering Land Systems and SkillsFuture Singapore is set to upskill 1,000 workers across 40 SMEs in the Precision Engineering sector. Mr Ng emphasized that mentorship plays a key role in equipping workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to industry shifts.
Looking back: NTUC’s Track Record in Advocacy
For over six decades, NTUC has successfully championed workers’ rights and shaped policies to enhance job security and employment conditions. Key achievements include:
- Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to uplift wages for lower-income workers.
- Tripartite Guidelines for Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR) to support work-life balance.
- Shared Parental Leave Advocacy, enabling parents of newborns to enjoy extended leave from 1 April 2025.
- Joint NTUC-SNEF PME Taskforce, which addressed PMEs’ workplace challenges and career progression concerns.
- Platform Workers Act, ensuring better protection and benefits for gig economy workers.
Mr Ng reaffirmed NTUC’s commitment to working with the Government and businesses to ensure that workers continue to benefit from evolving policies that enhance job security and fair employment practices.
Commitment to a Resilient Workforce
NTUC remains dedicated to securing job stability, advocating fair employment policies, and driving workforce upskilling. By strengthening partnerships and fostering continuous learning, NTUC ensures that PMEs, older workers, and rank-and-file employees are well-equipped for long-term career success in Singapore’s evolving economy. Mr Ng stressed that a resilient workforce is essential to sustaining economic growth and ensuring workers are well-prepared for future challenges.
