In a new trend, employers in Singapore are open to offering job opportunities to people recovering from mental health conditions, said a train-and-place centre for such persons – Mindset Learning Hub.
Generally, people with mental illness are considered for back-end or operational roles, but now they are being offered jobs in sectors such as food and beverage, cleaning, retail and other sectors.
Till now, 133 people have been enrolled at this centre of which 80 are attending training or have already done so.
At the centre, trainees can obtain Workforce Skills Qualifications certifications once they complete the required modules under SkillsFuture Singapore, in retail, environmental cleaning, and food and beverage. They are also taught soft skills such as writing resumes, how to dress for job interviews, work etiquette and recovery strategies in the workplace.
Centre manager of Mindset Learning Hub Yvonne Low said, ‘The response from the enrolled people has been encouraging as they are becoming more confident and receiving good feedback from employers.”
She added there are plans to expand training into the hospitality and healthcare sectors. A cafe for trainees to practise service and simple food preparation is also expected to be opened by May.
Low said, “To help trainees learn more effectively, the centre provides shorter hours for training, while offering role-play activities so they can apply what they learn."