900 South Woodlands Drive #06-01 Woodlands Civic Centre 730900 Tel: 6248 5588 Fax: 6219 1176

MEDIA ADVISORY  MEDIA ADVISORY  MEDIA ADVISORY  MEDIA ADVISORY

NORTH WEST CDC TO PRIORITISE JOBS AND UPSKILLING FOR RESIDENTS FOR NEXT 3 YEARS

Various avenues and platforms to build capabilities and skills for the future economy ______

In view of the anticipated challenges ahead for Singapore, the North West Community Development Council (CDC) will prioritise helping vulnerable residents in the near term, while building their capabilities and resilience in the longer term through providing jobs and upskilling opportunities. Over the next three years, North West CDC has plans to roll out a pipeline of such opportunities through different platforms, ranging from online webinars, to on-site career fairs, to more targeted job placement and matching for certain sectors.

2 To drive the implementation of the CDC’s plans, North West CDC officially appointed a new line-up of Council members –comprising 58 District Councillors who are volunteers – at the North West CDC Appreciation and Appointment Ceremony 2020. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr , Minister for Transport. Mr , Mayor of North West District, shared the North West CDC’s achievements of the last term, as well as the moving forward plans.

3 Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Transport, says, “One of CDCs’ unique role is to maintain close links with community and corporate partners, volunteers, and residents. That way, it mobilises talent and resources, to meet the needs of the community, and especially the less fortunate. Let’s continue to support the CDCs in fulfilling this important role.”

1 4 Mr Alex Yam, Mayor of North West District, says, "We will continue to build on the strong foundation of the previous term and work towards our vision ‘To Build a Caring and Healthy North West Community’. The CDC sits in a unique position to play the role of the enabler in the district, through forming meaningful networks and aggregating resources and expertise. We are excited to induct passionate individuals into the Council, each bringing a unique blend of skills, experiences and networks to drive meaningful programmes and contribute towards the sustainable development of North West District in the long-term. For the new term of Council, the CDC’s three main areas of focus will be to build: Resilience, Capability, and Sustainability.

5 The 8th Term of Council will be strengthened by an injection of youths, with 17.2% of the new line-up aged 35 and below. They will benefit from the tutelage of several experienced District Councillors who have served the North West community for many years. The 8th Term of Council comprises 71.4% of individuals from the private sector, 19.7% from the public sector and 8.9% from the people sector such as Social Service Agencies and NGO; with varying professions such as lawyers, doctors, educators, engineers and business owners. North West CDC hopes to tap on the Council’s diverse expertise and networks to co-create programmes to benefit the community.

6 Attending the ceremony with Guest-of-Honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, were the following Grassroots Advisers in the North West District:

I. Assoc Prof Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development Adviser to Nee Soon Central GROs

II. Dr Adviser to Canberra GROs Vice-Chairman of North West CDC

III. Mr Adviser to GROs Vice-Chairman of North West CDC

IV. Ms Adviser to Nee Soon South GROs Vice-Chairman of North West CDC

V. Mr Adviser to Nee Soon Link GROs

2 7 Council members are like Board of Directors in other organisations or companies, where they are expected to lead, and identify opportunities for change in a wide variety of issues that affect all segments of our local community, including disadvantaged groups, youths and elderly. Their primary role is to identify ideas, skills and resources to bring them together to support the CDCs and strengthen CDCs’ key thrusts of Assisting the needy, Bonding the people and Connecting the community. The Council will leverage on the resources and network through its members to foster community bonding and promote social cohesion. In North West CDC, there are six standing committees – Social Support, Healthy Living, Green Living, Corporate Relations, Finance and SkillsFuture Standing Committees to spearhead programmes in various focus areas. The eighth term of office of North West CDC will be from 27 July 2020 to 26 July 2023.

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