New S'pore jobs portal launched for North West District residents looking for work near home
The portal was launched on Aug 2 at the SkillsFuture Festival @ North West at Causeway Point in Woodlands.
SINGAPORE – Job seekers in Singapore's northwest looking to work near their home can now find opportunities more easily, with the launch of a new online portal which curates jobs in the North West District.
The district comprises Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Nee Soon GRC, Sembawang GRC and Bukit Panjang SMC.
The
Jobs Anywhere @ North West portal, by NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and FindSGJobs, currently has about 10,000 job vacancies. Jobs on offer include those at heartland merchants, such as hairdressers, and at hawker stalls, for stall assistants.
The portal was launched on Aug 2 at the SkillsFuture Festival @ North West at Causeway Point in Woodlands.
Mr Alex Yam, the mayor of North West District, said the jobs portal was developed in response to feedback from residents over the years.
'We understand that many residents face challenges finding flexible and part-time work opportunities near home, due to caregiving duties or other circumstances,' said Mr Yam, who is also an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
He hopes the portal will help such residents find suitable jobs at heartland merchants.
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One such merchant is Mr Lim Kian Hong who runs Two Herbs, a herbal scalp treatment business. It has seven outlets, including one at Block 166 Woodlands Street 13.
He typically advertises job vacancies by sticking job ads in his shop window. He said he has found it difficult to find Singaporeans to fill vacancies even though he offers flexible work arrangements.
He decided to list the vacancy on the new jobs portal after being approached by Community Development Council staff. 'Hopefully more people will be coming in to interview for the job,' he said. He is hiring hair therapists, to help with tasks such as hair washing.
The portal lists both full-time job opportunities and flexible 'microjobs' which typically refer to short-term or temporary work.
A separate jobs portal, called the Heartland Job Portal, was launched in August 2024 for those looking to work near their home, though this portal lists job vacancies islandwide.
Speaking at the launch of the portal, Mr Yam also acknowledged that the job landscape has become increasingly competitive, especially for the youth. 'Beyond securing employment, our youths continue to face significant stress in their search for fulfilling careers,' Mr Yam said.
Mr Alex Yam, the mayor of North West District, said the jobs portal was developed in response to feedback from residents over the years.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Beyond job matching, the platform offers career guidance and employment resources, Mr Yam said. This is where youths can find 'the right advice and right upskilling opportunities as well', he said.
Ten training providers, including NTUC Learning Hub, James Cook Institute and Republic Polytechnic had booths at the festival, highlighting courses in the digital, green and care sectors. The care sector includes social services, early childhood, healthcare and community care.
Ms Kameeni Mehta, 56, visited the event to learn more about artificial intelligence courses on offer. She left having signed up for two AI courses held over the weekends, so she will not have to take time off from her job at an insurance company.
She said she was keen to learn a new skill, and picked AI to 'keep abreast with changes'.
'At a certain age, you just can't be complacent', said the Woodlands resident. 'AI is keeping everybody on our toes, and it's fascinating.'
The SkillsFuture Festival @ North West is being held at Causeway Point on Aug 2 and 3.
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