Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) have launched a strategic partnership to enhance employment support and AI learning opportunities for residents in the Central District. This initiative, part of the Jobs Nearby programme, aims to provide residents with job opportunities closer to home and 1,000 complimentary learning spots to improve employability.
The partnership, which runs from July 2026 to December 2027, will host at least 10 Career and Skills Fairs across the district, supported by over 3,000 local job opportunities. The initiative integrates community networks with e2i’s employer partnerships, offering career guidance and skills support through familiar community touchpoints.
Residents will benefit from a dedicated Jobs Nearby portal, featuring over 2,000 job opportunities, and access to e2i’s national employer network. Additionally, Jobs Nearby kiosks and personalised support from e2i career coaches will provide convenient access to career guidance and job matching.
The inaugural Job Fair at Jalan Besar, held on 3 and 4 July, showcased this integrated model, offering job opportunities, career guidance, and digital career tools in one community setting. The fair featured 20 employers across various sectors and introduced AI-powered career tools like NTUC’s AI Career Coach.
Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District, emphasised the importance of accessible career guidance and skills support, stating, “Finding a job is only one part of the journey. Residents also need career guidance, new skills, and support they can easily access.” Jean Tan, CEO of e2i, highlighted the evolving nature of careers and the need for adaptable employment support.
This partnership builds on e2i’s national efforts, which assisted nearly 60,000 jobseekers in 2025, and aims to support more residents in achieving long-term employability.
