Job matching can’t be left entirely to market forces in S’pore: PM Wong

SINGAPORE – Even as Singapore forges on with economic transformation, the creation of good jobs and effective job matching cannot be left entirely to market forces.

Both national policies and community-level initiatives are needed to support the training and job needs of Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the full launch of the Jobs Nearby @ CDC initiative on Oct 23.

Led by the five Community Development Councils (CDCs), the initiative aims to better connect job seekers with opportunities in their neighbourhoods.

PM Wong said the Government takes a proactive role in matching the local talent pool with employers’ needs.

“(That’s) why when the Economic Development Board brings a new investment into Singapore, it’s not just counting the number of factories or the dollars of investments... put into Singapore.

“We specifically look at the jobs created for Singaporeans, and we ask what kind of skills are required for these new jobs and how can we train Singaporeans better to take on these jobs.”

At the event, held at Taman Jurong Community Club, community job clinics at 42 locations were also launched across the five CDCs as an additional prong to the initiative.

A job fair with 22 employers in attendance, and 34 more holding video interviews for job seekers on the spot, was also held at the venue.

Employers present included shipbuilder Seatrium, Singtel and its data centre arm Nxera, as well as luxury hotels such as Mondrian Singapore and Raffles Hotel Singapore.

The South West CDC had

piloted the Jobs Nearby @ CDC initiative

from Aug 31, after PM Wong announced it in his National Day Rally earlier that month.

It involves stationing job ambassadors at community clubs (CCs), conducting more direct outreach with job seekers, and closing “last-mile” gaps that hinder promising job matches.

Among other things, the ambassadors negotiate with prospective employers to adjust job requirements for job seekers, such as shifting work hours to allow for caregiving, which was one of the identified “last-mile” gaps.

The five CDCs and the People’s Association (PA) also said in a joint statement that each district will maintain a job bank consolidating opportunities from local employers.

These job banks provide a one-stop platform for residents to access openings within their community while strengthening ties with businesses keen to hire locally, they said.

In his speech, PM Wong said community initiatives need to complement national efforts because some job seekers have very specific needs, such as preferring to work near home or having more flexible working arrangements.

“At the same time, heartland businesses and merchants always tell us they need more workers, but they can’t find them,” said PM Wong.

Some smaller businesses may not have the resources for recruitment beyond their immediate geographical area, so word does not get around, he said.

These localised job banks will feature vacancies that sometimes are not reflected in the national job bank, closing a gap between job openings on offer and prospective job seekers.

Meanwhile, the job clinics will give job seekers interview opportunities with potential employers, as well as equip residents with the tools and confidence to secure meaningful employment closer to their homes.

More will be progressively rolled out in every district, added the five CDCs and PA.

The job clinics are currently largely located in CCs across the five districts. More than 50 job ambassadors based out of 18 CCs will rove around to hold the job clinics.

Ms Jace Teo is one of the pioneer batch of five job ambassadors under the South West CDC. She has worked in the role since the initiative’s pilot.

She said she enjoys the satisfaction of matching residents to a good job quickly, but highlighted that one key challenge is getting them to be open to good roles in industries they had not previously considered, but have the skills for.

Mayor of South West District Low Yen Ling said at the Oct 23 event that through the district’s job fairs, the South West CDC found that some residents, like seniors and caregivers, need more guidance in their job search.

She also spoke about the larger role CDCs can play to promote what PM Wong called

a “We First” society in the 2025 National Day Rally

.

“The CDCs will enhance our role in promoting volunteerism and creating more opportunities for individuals and organisations to participate and make a difference,” Ms Low said.

To this end, the CDCs will make district volunteerism more coordinated, inclusive and impactful in three key ways, she added.

These are: a District Volunteers Network in each district that maps out the volunteer landscape across the communities; a CDC Volunteer Portal that shows users localised volunteering opportunities; and annual District Volunteer Awards to recognise exemplary community partners and volunteers.

Mr Xavier Ong, 34, is among those who have benefited from CDC job fairs.

The former Singapore Airlines air steward visited a job fair organised by the South East CDC in Bedok in July, when he was drawn to Marina Bay Sands owing to its strong reputation.

Invited back for a walk-in interview at the integrated resort the next day, Mr Ong was able to secure a role as captain at Japanese restaurant Wakuda, ending a job search lasting nearly a year.

Asked for tips for job seekers, Mr Ong suggested they look for roles in large organisations with a wide variety of roles that put transferable skill sets to use, even if these job seekers may not have worked in the same sector previously.

PM Wong said that as a small, open economy, Singapore will always be exposed to global ups and downs.

But, he added: “Whatever the state of the world or whatever the state of the global economy, we will ensure that job seekers and workers in Singapore are supported and well cared for. That is our commitment.”