Gho Sze Kee, MP for Mountbatten SMC, runs a job mobility clinic with her team to provide one-stop career support for residents in Mountbatten.
Ms Gho told Petir that the clinic operates every second Tuesday night of the month alongside her Meet-the-People session.
PAP Mountbatten division first launched the initiative in July 2024 as part of its community efforts to support residents facing employment challenges.
Ms Gho has been actively driving the initiative forward, since being elected as MP last year, with a renewed focus on residents who have been retrenched.
“Most residents who visit me at MPS for financial assistance also face employment challenges,” Ms Gho said.
“In many cases, they need support finding sustainable employment more than short-term assistance. At PAP Mountbatten, we want to create a one-stop shop where residents can get help securing employment as well.”
About seven volunteer human resource professionals staff the clinic, bringing experience in recruitment, talent development and career coaching, Ms Gho noted.
These HR professionals offer practical career support including résumé writing and review, career guidance, interview preparation and job search strategies.
Ms Gho has partnered with four private sector recruitment agencies to boost the opportunities available to her residents. Their recruiters share industry insights, job market perspectives and potential employment opportunities with residents seeking help.
“We hope to build residents’ confidence and intervene early so they can put their best foot forward to find suitable jobs. This will encourage them to stand on their feet much faster,” Ms Gho said.
Valerie Lee, a senior HR director who helps Ms Gho run the clinic, said the clinic handles several cases each session based on referrals from MPS, community networks and word-of-mouth.
Ms Lee acknowledged that each resident faces unique challenges when finding employment. Some need to update their skills, while others require guidance to reposition themselves in a competitive job market.
“Another challenge is helping residents adjust their expectations and explore new opportunities, especially when industries evolve rapidly and residents have been unemployed for extended periods,” she explained.
Volunteers and manpower partners provide realistic insights into hiring trends, career pathways, and opportunities while encouraging residents to stay resilient during their job search, she added.
Ms Lee shared a memorable case involving a fresh graduate with a diploma in aviation who was determined to work only in the aviation industry.
“Through our career guidance sessions, we helped him recognise that his engineering and technical skills were highly transferable to many other sectors, including advanced manufacturing and semiconductors. We encouraged him to broaden his job search and explore a wider range of opportunities.”
Ms Lee said the young man ultimately accepted her advice and became more open to different career pathways.
“It was a great reminder that success comes from being adaptable and seeing opportunities beyond a single industry.”
Job mobility has helped over 100 residents since start of 2025
Since early 2025, the clinic has helped over 100 residents on job related matters. Ms Gho shared that Mountbatten has a diverse resident profile, including young families, mid-career professionals, and professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs).
Those who have sought help include young graduates entering the workforce, PMETs experiencing job transitions, individuals returning to work after a career break, and retrenched workers.
“The response has been very encouraging. Residents appreciate having access to experienced HR professionals and recruiters who can provide practical guidance.”
Ms Gho said her team hopes to grow the job mobility clinic into a sustainable community initiative.
Their plans include expanding the network of volunteer HR professionals and industry mentors, strengthening collaboration with recruitment agencies and employment partners, and recommending skills upgrading courses and relevant training programmes.
“Ultimately, our goal is to give residents the tools, networks, and confidence they need to find meaningful employment and build long-term career resilience,” Ms Gho said.
