Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team took part in a one-day Career Skills Workshop (CSW) at the Life long Learning Institute today. The CSW is a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), and arose from the recommendation by the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) to help NSFs transit to the workforce after they complete full-time National Service (NS). Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman was present at the workshop this morning as Guest of Honour.

Noting feedback from the CSNS that NSFs need to better understand their educational, training and career pathways after NS, Dr Maliki said, "The Career Skills Workshop has been developed to cater to the needs of our NSFs transiting after NS, and reflects MINDEF's and MHA's commitment to preparing our NSFs for their next phase in life. Our NSFs have acquired skills during NS which may be relevant to their future jobs, and the workshop is specially designed to help them understand the employment landscape and opportunities and to draw on, maximise and showcase these skills during interviews or career fairs." Lance-Corporal Tee Ting Zhang, who attended the workshop, said that he found it relevant and useful. He said, "The workshop has provided me with helpful tips and advice on applying for jobs, and has given me a better understanding of how to prepare for interviews. I now feel more confident as I prepare for life after NS."

Conducted and developed by WDA and facilitated by Southeast Community Development Council (SECDC), the CSW aimsto equip NSFs with job search skills, such as written and verbal communication, and how to prepare and increase one's chances of success in a job interview. The CSW also covers employment trends and opportunities in Singapore, as well as information on the range of job search resources available, such as Jobs Bank, training and career advisory services offered by WDA's Career Centres. "With this collaboration, WDA hopes to provide NSFs with some awareness about the current employment trends and basic jobs search skills. This would benefit NSFs who are entering the workforce upon completing their NS", said Mr Francis Lee, Director,Career Services Division, WDA.

The CSW is open to NSFs who have three months or less to the completion of their full-time NS.