Plan Your Mid-Career Switch With NTUC's E2i

In the last few years, the Covid pandemic caused a tectonic shift in the job market. Many workers were suddenly retrenched or suffered salary cuts when their industries were impacted by the pandemic.

Photos courtesy of Nosh Cuisine Pte Ltd.

As parents with families to feed, we may face a situation where making a mid-career switch is the best way to find a job. Without the relevant skills and qualifications, how can we fast-track our mid-career change?

The Career Conversion Programme (CCP), supported by NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), has helped many mid-career switchers transit into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects and opportunities for progression by providing structured on-the-job training.

If you’re an employer, the CCP can also help you address your labour shortages and tackle skill gaps. This means you can tap into a new pool of talents who are interested in taking on your available job openings but may not have the relevant skills yet. To bridge the skills gap, the CCP provides funding, training, and relevant support for both your company and the mid-career switchers.

From catering to sales and marketing in the F&B sector

Ms Catherine Lim is one such mid-career switcher who formerly worked in the catering industry before she joined Nosh Cuisine Pte Ltd, a boutique catering company. During her tenure at the company, she was introduced to the CCP. With support from her family and friends, she decided to step out of her comfort zone to do something different from her usual role and further upgrade her skills by participating in the programme.

To ensure that Catherine was able to transition smoothly into her new role, the company’s HR department worked with various department in-charges, supervisors, and managers to craft a training plan specifically for her training needs. For instance, during the training period, she went through hands-on training using Wix.com, a website-building platform that allows users to create, design and publish their own websites.

This was an essential skill in her role as an E-Sales & Marketing Senior Manager where she needed to market and sell her company’s products and services online. Even though e-marketing and online sales may lack direct physical interaction with consumers, she felt this role could be fun when she was able to reach out to the correct target audience using the relevant internet platforms.

Photos courtesy of Nosh Cuisine Pte Ltd.

During the training phase, Catherine appreciated the support and assistance from her colleagues and team. Everyone chipped in to help address her queries and even shared their own personal experiences. This generous sharing enhanced Catherine’s overall learning experience and she was glad to be equipped with new skills which would be beneficial in her new role.

Holistic support from bosses and NTUC’s e2i for mid-career switchers

Nosh Cuisine Pte Ltd has had a long-term partnership with NTUC’s e2i ever since the former’s founding days in 2011 where e2i has supported the company with its recruitment and placement matters. Throughout the years, the company actively participated in e2i initiatives such as the CCP and senior worker schemes.

Nosh Cuisine’s experience with the CCP has been very positive as the company has benefited greatly from the scheme, coupled with support and assistance from e2i officers. Ms Michelle Chen, the company’s Director of Business Development, added, “The CCP project encouraged individuals to step out of their comfort zone, unlearn and relearn new knowledge and skills pertaining to a new job role – a more seamless integration, promotes diversity and inclusion within the organisation.”

Plan your next career switch with the Career Conversion Programme and learn more about Nosh Cuisine’s career positions.

Photos courtesy of Nosh Cuisine Pte Ltd.