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Programmes involved will range from hobby-based recruitment to structured mid-career transitions and will aim to empower workers to continue to meaningfully contribute to the workforce whilst balancing their life goals.
Earlier this year, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Dr Koh Poh Koon, spoke about the Government’s ongoing efforts to empower workers to build career health at every stage of their lives at the Committee of Supply (COS) debate.
Building on this commitment, 32 organisations across caregiving, manufacturing, transport, hospitality, financial services sectors in Singapore have come together to pilot an innovative initiative that aims to support mature workers across the country with more opportunities to pursue flexible careers, reskill for new roles, and transition into mentorship positions.
The Alliance for Action on Empowering Multi-Stage Careers for Mature Workers (AfA-EMW) was launched on 17 November at the Civil Service Club @ Tessensohn, and aims to empower workers to continue contributing meaningfully to the workforce whilst balancing their life goals — albeit switching careers, taking on part-time arrangements, or moving into advisory roles.
Prototypes across four key areas
In the coming months, the 32 selected organisations will develop and test prototypes in the following key areas:
- Redesigning jobs to better suit mature workers’ needs and strengths,
- New models of flexible work arrangements,
- Skills upgrading and structured career planning, and
- Phased retirement options.
The Singapore government will be providing sufficient funding to support these organisations as they come on board to co-create these solutions. The selected organisations will comprise of the following entities:
- Companies,
- Labour market intermediaries, and
- Non-profit organisations
Among the emerging prototypes, those that leverage workers’ personal interests are will be poised to create pathways into in-demand social service roles and enable mid-career pivots within established corporations.
Speaking at the launch event, SMS Koh raised the alarming fact that by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above, and life expectancy, because of good healthcare delivery, has increased from 76.2 years around 30 years ago to 83.5 years today.
"With advances in healthcare, we are living longer and healthier, prompting a fundamental shift in how we approach our later years. Whether you like it or not, all of us will get there one day.
"And so, what we do today is laying the foundation for not just the aged of today, but for all of us here tomorrow," he added.
He also shared that in order to continue empowering organisations and workers to harness the strengths of senior workers and help them fulfill their career aspirations, a shift in mindset is crucial.
"This requires innovation, experimentation, and most importantly, collaboration among all stakeholders. Everyone has a role to play, but what does this mean?"
SMS Koh stated that for senior workers, reskilling, upskilling and possible planning for multi-stage careers is important, whereas for employers, this means embracing the benefits of tapping on the silver workforce and leveraging the expertise and networks of senior workers.
Furthermore, employers should build more opportunities for job redesign and training to create a diverse multi-generational workforce.
"Employers can also look at creating more flexible work opportunities, because this will provide some flexibility to allow workers to adjust their lifestyle needs as they get older."
Concluding his speech, SMS Koh said:
"Together, I believe we can all work hand-in-hand towards creating a future that is more age-friendly, a workforce that is more multigenerational, to harness the potential of our seniors, and at the same time, create value for our companies and boost our economy."
In a separate Facebook post, Tan Hwee Bin, Vice President, Singapore National Employers Federation, and Co-Chair, TWG-SE, said that these efforts will enable employers to tap on the strengths of a diverse workforce and expand their talent pipeline, while meeting business operational needs.
"With one in four Singaporeans aged 65 and above by 2030, these prototypes will offer valuable insights on how employers can harness the experience of senior workers while providing meaningful, flexible and dignified career opportunities," he added.
Lead image / SNEF Facebook
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