The Singapore Scout Association (SSA) started its annual Job week with the big task of completing various housekeeping jobs at the Istana.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Chief Scout of Singapore, on Wednesday today watched a group of scouts as they went about the Istana polishing silver and sweeping a staircase among other tasks.

This year's Job Week will take place between March 16 and Mar 22 with some 10,000 scouts aged eight to 18 going door-to-door looking for jobs in residences and offices. In return, they will receive donations for their association.

The SSA hopes to raise $810,000 this year, up from their target of $800,000 last year. Funds raised will finance various scout activities such as camps and an international jamboree.

Participating companies include Chevron Singapore where scouts will work as petrol kiosk helpers. For the first time, the Royal Thai Embassy and the Heritage Car Club of Singapore (HCCS) will also be jointly organising a car wash, where 20 Cub Scouts will wash the cars of embassy staff and Heritage members in return for their contributions.

"Sometimes we get turned down when going door to door, and such rejection reflects real world situations. Job Week has taught me the value of money and honest labour," said 17-year-old scout Ahmad Musthofa, who is participating in Job Week for the fifth year.