ADDRESSING JOB CONCERNS IN WEST COAST
At e2i’s “Bringing Jobs to Your Doorstep” event, Mr Lee met community stakeholders, signed a memorandum to help Singapore workers, and greeted jobseekers from the district.
Apart from Dr Hamid, PAP new face and trade unionist Natasha Choy was also spotted at the event as a guest.
The event was aimed at making job and skills-related resources more accessible for residents in the GRC by bringing support into the neighbourhood. More than 3,500 job vacancies were featured during the fair.
On this point, Mr Lee said the team is committed to continuing and expanding his team’s “Jobs @ West Coast” initiative. He added that jobs were a concern for residents during the previous general election.
The programme is meant to help middle-aged and older workers in trade-exposed sectors who are worried about job security, and younger residents who are concerned about their prospects after graduation amid economic uncertainty.
Artificial intelligence is another concern that many people have.
AI is a great enabler, said Mr Lee, adding that it has “tremendous” promise and opportunity, but also creates great anxiety.
He said that these anxieties are not only present among “rank and file workers” but are also increasingly felt by professionals and young graduates.
Dr Hamid added that jobs are not just about statistics, but also about honour, dignity and opportunity for people.
He said these initiatives can bring opportunities right to where people live, so they can get access to jobs and opportunities to re-skill themselves.
Ultimately, it is the relationships and “deep trust” built with residents over the years that can help better identify their needs and use resources to assist them, said Dr Hamid, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
Apart from this initiative, Mr Lee said his team will soon roll out a community manifesto for West Coast–Jurong West GRC, covering past commitments, ongoing work and new plans.
While not divulging the full details of the plan, he said the manifesto will include estate improvements as well as ways to bring national initiatives like ComLink and SkillsFuture courses to the ground more effectively.
Mr Lee added that the PSP may have their own ideas and proposals at the national and local level and he looks forward to seeing them, adding that residents can compare against PAP’s ideas and proposals.
“Likewise, I think voters will then be able to make up their minds,” he said.
