New CDC job-matching drive may bring overlooked front-line roles closer to applicants: Experts
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The CDC job-matching drive will complement national job-matching efforts by Workforce Singapore and NTUC.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Follow topic:
- New job-matching initiative led by CDCs focuses on placing jobs closer to residential areas to help job seekers.
- The initiative aims to raise placement rates for those with mobility or time constraints, benefiting SMEs and mid-career workers.
- It builds on existing efforts like "Jobs Near Me @ Central", but deeper economic issues and mismatched expectations remain.
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SINGAPORE – The new job-matching initiative by the five Community Development Councils (CDCs) complements existing measures by bringing local jobs closer to residents, said industry observers.
Though details are pending, they expect front-line roles in residential areas – often overlooked by job seekers – to feature prominently.
Labour policy expert Terence Ho said the initiative will likely feature many front-line roles, with job types varying across the districts.
Associate Professor Ho, deputy executive director of the Institute for Adult Learning, noted that career centres run by Workforce Singapore and the National Trades Union Congress’ Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) already serve job seekers.
He added: “A key indication of success is whether the scheme succeeds in raising placement rates among job seekers with constraints on mobility or time who may need to find work closer to their homes, as well as whether it encourages higher labour force participation among such groups.”
The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the 2025 National Day Rally
He had said the CDCs are well placed to spearhead the initiative with their strong networks with local merchants, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as community partners.
The mayors who chair the five CDCs – Central Singapore, North West, North East, South West and South East – will share more details on the new job-matching initiative in the coming weeks.
Mr Ang Yuit, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said the initiative could especially benefit mid-career workers seeking flexibility through shorter commutes.
He added that non-PMET front-line roles requiring a physical presence in residential areas, as well as some professional, managerial, executive and technical (PMET) positions, are likely to see hiring gains, potentially helping SMEs, too.
An e2i spokesperson said the initiative could build on existing CDC-level efforts by offering localised support to complement the national job-matching system.
“Local SMEs may not have the same reach as larger companies, and the CDC job-matching initiative would be able to help bridge this gap between the job seeker and local SME.”
The spokesperson added that e2i could also extend its national network reach to “community-level opportunities”.
One example of existing CDC-level efforts is Jobs Near Me @ Central, a portal that matches residents in the Central Singapore district to job opportunities nearby.
It has been in pilot operation for over a year.
Outreach to less tech-savvy residents by “job ambassadors” also forms part of this collaboration between jobs platform operator FastCo and the Central CDC.
FastCo chief executive Julian Tan said the initiative strengthens Singapore’s job-matching ecosystem by placing jobs closer to residents, improving work-life balance and boosting productivity.
He added that it also supports flexible work arrangements and aligns with urban planning goals to decentralise employment centres.
“Job seekers can benefit from a corporate shift towards neighbouring hubs such as Bishan, Punggol and Tampines.”
However, Mr Ang noted that the initiative does not address the deeper economic weaknesses and mismatched expectations that underlie SMEs’ hiring challenges.
Still, he sees at least one benefit of the move: “It will increase the chances (for employers) to get in touch with potential employees.”
