Social workers will now get help in their jobs, which include conducting home visits and matching clients to help schemes. Called social work associates, this pioneer batch will serve to complement the work of social workers to help ease the manpower crunch in the social service sector.

The 25 students from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) met about 20 volunteer welfare organizations during a commencement ceremony held on Thursday to look at career opportunities.

NYP is the first polytechnic here to offer a diploma course in Social Sciences (Social Work). The course is developed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and NYP.

NCSS advisor Madam Halimah Yacob stressed the importance of having more workers in the social service sector. She said: "In the past decade, there has been an increasing need for skilled manpower in the social service sector...We are experiencing many changes as Singapore progresses. We are seeing more families seeking assistance."