Full Roll-Out of CDC Localized Job-Matching Scheme by October

Ambassadors at CCs Will Directly Reach Out to Job Seekers, Offer Customized Assistance

- Tay Hong Yi

A new initiative that goes beyond traditional job fairs to help people find better job matches closer to home has been rolled out in South West District, with the other Community Development Councils (CDC) set to join by October. Called Jobs Nearby @ CDC, it involves stationing jobs ambassadors at community clubs, conducting more direct outreach with job seekers, and closing "last-mile" gaps that can scupper promising job matches.

"The jobs ambassadors will provide customized assistance," said Mayor of South West District Low Yen Ling on Aug 31 at a job fair held at Hillview Community Club.

Five jobs ambassadors were on hand to assist job seekers for the first time under the new initiative. Each of the ambassadors will then be deployed to one CC in the South West District.

They will provide assistance including scheduling virtual or face-to-face appointments with potential employers, connecting job seekers with upskilling resources if needed, as well as referring them to other partners for services such as career counselling.

The ambassadors will also negotiate with prospective employers to adjust job requirements for job seekers, such as shifting work hours to allow for caregiving, said Ms Low, who is also Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, as well as Trade and Industry.