Addressing Gaps in Career Guidance, Mentorship and Development of Professional Networks That Were Identified in Recent Study on Inter-generational Mobility within Malay Community

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs whether more structured partnerships with employers and industry groups are being developed to provide Malay/Muslim students with industry exposure and mentorship in growth sectors, given the findings of a recent study on inter-generational mobility within the Malay community conducted by the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA).

Dr Charlene Chen asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs in view of the findings from a study by the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs that the Malay community appears under-represented in the financial, insurance and professional services industries, what is being done to strengthen pathways into these industries for Malay students and young professionals.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs how the Government and its community partners are strengthening mentorship, professional networks and workplace exposure for Malay/Muslim youths, who may not have such networks through family or personal contacts, as suggested by the recent findings of the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA) study on intergenerational mobility within the Malay community in Singapore.

The Government is committed to uplifting Singaporeans of all backgrounds. To achieve this, we work closely with educational institutions, community organisations and industry partners to strengthen education and career pathways, and help our youths, graduates and young professionals maximise their potential and employability.

Career exposure and mentorship opportunities are indeed important to help youths explore their career aspirations. This is why the National Youth Council (NYC) has been working to provide job taster opportunities for youths, including our Malay/Muslim youths, to complement the internships and career guidance provided in schools. Last year, NYC worked with about 35 corporate partners, youth sector organisations and public sector agencies to offer some 11,000 job taster opportunities. Since 2022, NYC has also created over 20,000 mentoring opportunities through the Mentoring SG movement.

For the Malay/Muslim community, the Government works closely with MENDAKI, the community's self-help group, as well as other Malay/Muslim Organisations. For example, the M3 agencies are working together to build a more artificial intelligence (AI)-confident Malay/Muslim community through the Langkah Digital initiative. Launched by Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam earlier this year, it seeks to equip the Malay/Muslim community with practical digital and AI skills. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and People's Association's Malay Activity Executive Committees Council also deliver AI training courses and programmes at mosques and community touchpoints.

MENDAKI has also established Professional Networks, with over 1,000 members across 13 sectors, including in growth sectors, such as banking and finance, legal, sustainability and technology. Similarly, the Association of Muslim Professionals has set up a Muslim Professionals Collective to grow professional networks across sectors, such as cybersecurity, engineering and entrepreneurship. Such initiatives help students and young professionals deepen their awareness of emerging sectors and growth industries and connect them with industry practitioners and mentors to secure internship opportunities and facilitate job referrals.

We are heartened that our unions, institutes of higher learning and industry partners have come forward to support MENDAKI's efforts. For example, National Trades Union Congress' Employment and Employability Institute, the Singapore University of Technology and Design and Nanyang Polytechnic have signed memorandums of understanding with MENDAKI to boost AI readiness and employability of Malay/Muslim students and adult learners, by offering them career advisory services, skills development and upgrading opportunities, as well as job attachments. Bitdeer, a global tech company, has also partnered MENDAKI to offer scholarships at our local universities for aspiring Malay/Muslim students to gain early industry exposure.

Under the M3+ Focus Area 4 on Employment and Employability, Government agencies will continue to work closely with MENDAKI and community partners to equip our Malay/Muslim youths and workers with the skills, exposure and networks to seize growth opportunities in an ever-changing economy. I have asked my fellow Parliamentary colleagues, Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Saktiandi Supaat, to co-chair the Committee for Economic Resilience, or Jawatankuasa Daya Ekonomi. The Committee brings together a diverse group of Malay/Muslim professionals and representatives across different sectors. The Committee will engage different segments of the Malay/Muslim community, including businesses and workers, to hear their views and develop ideas on how the Malay/Muslim community can benefit from our economic transformation strategies.