Strategic HR
32 Singapore organisations test new approaches to support mature workers’ careers
Pilot programmes explore job redesign, flexible work, and mid-career pathways to help seniors stay active in the workforce.
Singapore is taking another step toward strengthening opportunities for older workers, with 32 organisations beginning trials on new employment models aimed at helping mature workers stay engaged, reskill and move into roles that better match their goals at later stages of life. The pilots were unveiled at the launch of the Alliance for Action on Empowering Multi-Stage Careers for Mature Workers (AfA-EMW) on 17 November.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment, co-chaired by Manpower and Health Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Vice-President Tan Hwee Bin. The group has been studying ways to support senior employment amid Singapore’s rapidly ageing population.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Koh noted that longer life expectancy and healthier living are reshaping expectations of work. He said career paths no longer follow a single track, and many workers are seeking opportunities to switch industries, take on part-time roles or transition into mentorship positions as they progress through different stages of life.
Over the next few months, participating organisations will prototype solutions in four areas: job redesign, new models of flexible work, skills upgrading and structured career planning, and phased retirement options. The pilots span industries including hospitality, manufacturing, security and financial services.
Some of the early ideas include Mandai Rainforest Resort’s “hobby-based recruitment”, which breaks jobs into smaller tasks to match seniors’ personal interests, supported by an AI-enabled scheduling system. Homage, a caregiving platform, is opening structured pathways to help mature PMETs transition into community care roles. HSBC is also trialling a programme that supports employees in shifting to new functions through focused training and certification.
Union leaders say these efforts show strong tripartite backing for age-inclusive workplaces. The learnings from these pilots are expected to shape future policies and support organisations in building more sustainable, multigenerational workforces.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment, co-chaired by Manpower and Health Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Vice-President Tan Hwee Bin. The group has been studying ways to support senior employment amid Singapore’s rapidly ageing population.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Koh noted that longer life expectancy and healthier living are reshaping expectations of work. He said career paths no longer follow a single track, and many workers are seeking opportunities to switch industries, take on part-time roles or transition into mentorship positions as they progress through different stages of life.
Over the next few months, participating organisations will prototype solutions in four areas: job redesign, new models of flexible work, skills upgrading and structured career planning, and phased retirement options. The pilots span industries including hospitality, manufacturing, security and financial services.
Some of the early ideas include Mandai Rainforest Resort’s “hobby-based recruitment”, which breaks jobs into smaller tasks to match seniors’ personal interests, supported by an AI-enabled scheduling system. Homage, a caregiving platform, is opening structured pathways to help mature PMETs transition into community care roles. HSBC is also trialling a programme that supports employees in shifting to new functions through focused training and certification.
Union leaders say these efforts show strong tripartite backing for age-inclusive workplaces. The learnings from these pilots are expected to shape future policies and support organisations in building more sustainable, multigenerational workforces.
Author
Loading...
Loading...