Fact Sheet: Update on the Committee to Strengthen NS (CSNS) Initiatives: Vocation Matching & Launch of NS Mark

Background 

The Committee to Strengthen NS (CSNS) was set up in March 2013 to examine how the National Service (NS) system can be strengthened for the future, to better serve Singapore and Singaporeans. In June 2014, the Government accepted the 30 recommendations proposed by the Committee.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have made good progress in implementing the recommendations. In the coming months, we will launch initiatives that enhance vocational deployment of Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs), and recognise companies with pro-NS policies and human resource practices.

Vocation Matching for Full-time National Servicemen

From end 2016, pre-enlistees will be able to indicate their interest in vocations as part of their pre-enlistment processes at the Central Manpower Base (CMPB). The enhancements, applicable to those enlisting for NS from end 2017 onwards, are aimed at encouraging NSFs to take greater ownership of their roles and responsibilities during their NS. This will help towards improving the operational effectiveness of the SAF, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

To help pre-enlistees make an informed decision when indicating their interest, information on more than 30 vocations available in the SAF, SPF, and SCDF will be made available online on the CMPB website from the third quarter of 2016. Pre-enlistees' interest for the various vocations will be considered after they have been assigned to the SAF, SPF or SCDF.

While we seek to better match NSFs' interest to vocations, operational requirements will remain the primary consideration in the deployment of servicemen to ensure the operational effectiveness of the SAF, SPF and SCDF.

NS Mark

The NS Mark accreditation scheme, to be launched in August, aims to recognise organisations with pro-NS policies and human resource practices.

The national accreditation scheme consists of two tiers: NS Mark and NS Mark (Gold). Organisations from both public and private sectors are encouraged to apply for the NS Mark. Organisations with a higher level of support for NS will be able to progress to the higher-tiered NS Mark (Gold).

The accreditation scheme is a result of extensive consultation between MINDEF/SAF, through the Advisory Council for Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) Employer and Business (E&B) Council, and the various stakeholder groups.

Benefits of NS Mark / NS Mark (Gold)

Upon accreditation, the NS Mark recipient will receive a package containing a Congratulatory Letter, a framed Declaration of Support and other collaterals. NS Mark (Gold) recipients will receive a NS Mark (Gold) certificate on top of the package.

NS Mark organisations will also receive sustained publicity throughout the year so that their best practices can be shared with the public. The various types of publicity are:

• Listing in ACCORD website;

• Feature(s) in MINDEF collaterals;

• Feature(s) in Print/ Social Media; and

• Preferred partner status for MINDEF and MHA career fairs.