Opening Speech at WSG's Volunteer Career Advisors Appreciation Night 2024

Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Marina Bay Sands

Ms Dilys Boey, Chief Executive, Workforce Singapore,
Our Valued Volunteers and Partners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1 Good evening! It is my pleasure to be here with you tonight at the annual Volunteer Career Advisors (VCA) Appreciation Night. As we gather to celebrate your invaluable contributions, I am reminded of the impact each of you has made in shaping the careers and lives of countless individuals across Singapore.

The Power of Peer Support in Career Development

2 When the VCA initiative was announced by DPM Heng in the 2020 Unity Budget, it was born out of a pressing need to address the concerns of our mature workers facing job insecurity. The vision was clear: to create a network of industry professionals who could provide peer support, share industry insights, and help individuals navigate their career pathways with confidence.

3 Today, I am proud to say that this vision has not only been realised but has made a significant impact. Since its inception in December 2020, over 7,600 individuals have benefited from the wisdom and guidance of more than 550 VCAs across various sectors. It is particularly heartening to note that an overwhelming 97% of advisees would recommend this initiative to others. This is a testament to the significant support and guidance you provide.

4 Many of you here would have your own inspiring encounters with your advisees. Take, for instance, our VCA Nicholas Singh, who is also here with us this evening. He advised Roxanne Koh, a mental health counsellor who was navigating a career transition from an employee to an entrepreneur. She had big plans and aspirations to establish her own clinical practice, continue adjunct lecturing, develop a corporate speaking practice, and to raise mental health awareness through public speaking. Roxanne wasn't just looking to change careers; she was looking for a synergistic blend of roles that allowed her to make a broader impact in society. However, like many professionals facing a significant transition, she was uncertain about bringing these diverse elements together. That's when Roxanne connected with Nicholas. Drawing from his experience, Nicholas helped Roxanne see how her various aspirations could reinforce each other, and he provided insights into the mindset shifts required when transitioning from corporate life to independent work. Today, Roxanne is confidently pursuing her multifaceted career, balancing her clinical practice, lecturing, and public speaking engagements. She describes the support from Nicholas as a pivotal moment in her professional career journey, saying, "That conversation opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't considered. It's amazing how one connection through the VCA programme can set you on a whole new path.” Roxanne's story is a testament to the impact of the VCA initiative, showing how it empowers individuals to unlock their potential, learn from others’ experiences and build fulfilling careers that contribute to Singapore's vibrant workforce.

5 This story is just one of many that highlight the profound impact our VCAs have on the lives of those you advise. Your willingness to share your knowledge, experience, and networks is truly commendable.

Expanding VCA initiative to Provide Career Guidance to Graduating Students - Polaris by VCA

6 Why is your role more crucial now?

7 Today’s labour market is evolving rapidly, with the advance of AI and emerging technologies. It is not enough to simply react to these changes as they come. Workers must be proactive. We must take charge of our own career health, be adaptable and maintain a clear vision of our own personal aspirations. We need to develop our own career plan, pursue job and training opportunities with purpose and intent, review and adapt our career plan constantly based on the labour market demands and our shifting life priorities. Your advice, as VCAs, serve as a beacon for those who are navigating through these complex journeys. Your real-world experience and insights will help individuals understand the shifting demands in their industries, identify the skills they need to develop, the opportunities they should seize, and the pitfalls they must avoid. This hard-earned wisdom is beneficial to those just starting their journey or looking to pivot in their careers.

8 Many of you have expressed a desire to do more and some of you have keen interest to guide those at the start of their career journeys. This aligns with our vision to enhance career health and resilience across all stages of an individual's working life.

9 With this, I am happy to announce that we will expand the VCA initiative to provide industry insights to guide young workforce entrants in developing their career plan under “Polaris by VCA”. These students will get early exposure to career planning integrated with your industry insights, delivered through one-on-one advisory sessions by our dedicated VCAs, laying the foundation for their professional growth and development. This is part of our efforts under Career Health SG, which is a national initiative in support of the SkillsFuture movement. The initiative seeks to empower individuals in charting longer-term career pathways through career coaching and deepening one’s knowledge and skills with insights on growth jobs and industries. With this, Singaporeans can take proactive steps to improve their career outcomes through training, on-the-job learning and intentional career moves.

10 We are working with some of the polytechnics and autonomous universities to reach out to these young entrants who are motivated to plan for their career. Through your advisory sessions, I strongly believe these students will gain a deeper understanding of their chosen fields, and craft an informed career development plan to guide them in their career growth.

11 We will pilot “Polaris by VCA” in Q1 2025 with 50 of our VCAs, aiming to benefit 500 students.

12 We encourage other VCAs who are interested in being part of this programme to reach out to WSG. Your expertise and willingness to guide the next generation of professionals would be invaluable to the success of Polaris by VCA.

Looking Ahead

13 As we look to the future, I am filled with optimism. Together with my colleagues from MOM and WSG, we are at the forefront of shaping the future of work in Singapore, ensuring that our workforce remains competitive and resilient in the face of global changes. Your dedication and expertise are important in our collective efforts to build a resilient and future-ready workforce. As we expand the VCA initiative with Polaris by VCA, I am confident we will continue to make a significant impact on the career health and success of individuals across Singapore.

14 I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for volunteering your time and sharing your knowledge. You are not just advisors; you are mentors, role models, and catalysts for positive change in the career journeys of those you guide.

15 We thank you for your service, your passion, and your unwavering commitment to build a brighter future for Singapore's workforce.

16 Thank you.