NTUC to help link workers with 1,200 mentors in new pilot scheme

Involving firms in the process will enable better matching, says labour chief

- Tay Hong Yi

Unionised firms seeking to help their workers link with mentors for skills and career guidance will soon get to draw on 1,200 mentors under a new pilot scheme by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

For a start, firms unionised under the Healthcare Services Employees' Union, ST Engineering Staff Union and United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries will get to join the Company Mentorship Circle.

Details of when the pilot will start and its duration are still being firmed up and will be released later.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng told reporters at a media briefing on Feb 13, ahead of Budget 2025, that the latest pilot applies what NTUC has learnt from ongoing efforts to help those outside its usual reach - including youth and non-members - find mentors.

"Many mentees tell... (the) team that the mentors' wealth of knowledge has enabled them to be better equipped to navigate career challenges, develop key skills and expand professional networks when they go into a new space," Mr Ng said.

He added that the three unions were chosen for their scale as well as the wide range of workers they serve, hopefully allowing NTUC to learn how to develop mentorship programmes even in sectors with highly specialised skill sets.