SINGAPORE - Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing has urged corporate executives to go beyond cheque-writing and ad-hoc volunteering and contribute their specialised skills to voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs).

"Very often, it is not cleaning toilets or painting murals that they (VWOs) need," he told more than 200 executives, VWO and government representatives at a seminar on Thursday.

"Corporates can contribute their skills, be it organisational development capabilities, or skills in financial or legal services, to make an impact."

VWOs must also do their part, he added.

"VWOs might reach out to the converted (those who already volunteer), but the high marginal gain comes when they share their needs with employees of corporates, trade associations and business chambers who may be able to contribute the right skills."

The minister called on VWOs to invest in induction programmes to set the right expectations among volunteers, then maintain that relationship through constant communication with them.