It was announced yesterday (14 November) that LinkedIn has partnered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to connect over 2,000 disadvantaged job seekers to opportunities, resources, and networks.
This is an extension of the LinkedIn Coaches global programme and the partnership is taking place for the first time in Singapore.
The National Council of Social Service (NCSS), SG Enable, Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and other non-profit organisations are also part of the collaboration.
They will reach out to disadvantaged job seekers, who are out-of-work Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs), rank-and-file workers, ex-offenders, persons with disabilities, and youths, and link them up with industry mentors and recruiters.
The pilot programme will commence from January 2019, and job seekers will go through a half-day career coaching workshops throughout the year.
According to the statement, the workshops can be customised based on the following four areas:
- Personal branding: Building online profile so recruiters can find job seekers
- Social capital and mentorship: Building online connections, networks and finding mentors to help job seekers be more successful in their job search
- Access to LinkedIn Premium: Leveraging the platform for job searches with data analytics
- Access to LinkedIn Learning: Through LinkedIn Premium, they will also have access to LinkedIn Learning courses so that participants can upskill themselves with technical knowledge, as well as soft skills, depending on their career aspirations
Yesterday’s launch saw the first 12 participants experiencing first-hand coaching sessions with 12 mentors from LinkedIn.
Minister of Social and Family Development, Mr Desmond Lee, who attended the launch, found this private-public partnership “meaningful” and encouraged more of such partnerships to come forward as a way for corporates to contribute to our society.
“This collaboration supports individuals and families – especially young people – from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with skills, opportunities, and networks to change their lives for the better,” he shared.
Olivier Legrand, Managing Director, Asia Pacific at Linkedin added, “Our goal with LinkedIn Coaches programme is to help overcome these barriers, expand their networks and grow their careers.”
“As Singapore continues to support job seekers especially from less advantaged backgrounds through this partnership, MSF and LinkedIn are in a unique position to equip them with the skills and resources they need to connect to opportunities.”
Featured Image Credit: LinkedIn; From left to right: Olivier Legrand, Jeff Weiner and Mr Desmond Lee at the launch event of LinkedIn’s partnership with MSF, public agencies and NPOs
