What e2i does
e2i is run by the labour movement (NTUC) but it serves everyone, union member or not. Three things they do well:
- Match you to job openings, including some not advertised online.
- Subsidise training so you can switch to a new career.
- Connect you to other agencies (SSO, FSC) if money is also a problem.
There are 5 e2i Career Connect centres around Singapore.
Who e2i is for
You should drop by if:
- You've just been retrenched.
- You haven't found work in three months and the savings are running low.
- You want to switch careers and don't know which training is worth doing.
- You're over 40 and worried about ageism in hiring.
- You're returning to work after a long break (childcare, caregiving, illness).
You don't need to be a union member. Most subsidies are for SC and PR, but you can still walk in for advice if you're on a different status.
What to bring
Two things:
- Your IC.
- Your last payslip, if you have one.
You don't need a polished CV. The coach will help you write or fix one. You don't need to know what you want to do next either. Many people walk in unsure.
What happens at the appointment
A career coach will sit with you for 45 minutes to an hour. They'll ask about your work history, what you're good at, what you'd like to do, and what's getting in the way.
From that, they'll usually:
- Match you to job openings on the spot.
- Suggest training programmes with subsidies (most often SkillsFuture-funded).
- Connect you to other agencies if there's a financial crunch in the meantime.
- Schedule a follow-up.
e2i vs WSG vs SkillsFuture
Three names that get mixed up.
- e2i is the place. The physical office where you sit down with a coach.
- Workforce Singapore (WSG) is the agency. They set policy and run programmes that e2i delivers.
- SkillsFuture is the credit. Money in your account that you can spend on approved training.
In practice: walk into e2i, the coach there will help you spend SkillsFuture wisely.
Common worries
"I'm 50. Will anyone hire me?" Yes. Mid-career programmes specifically subsidise employers to hire workers in their 40s and 50s. Ask the coach about the Career Conversion Programme.
"My CV has gaps." Coaches see this every day. They help you frame the story.
"Money is running out." Tell the coach. They can refer you to an SSO for short-term ComCare while you're job hunting. More on SSOs here.
"I'm on a work pass." Most e2i services are for SC and PR. If you're a foreign worker in distress, the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) is who to call.
Find your nearest e2i
The matcher gives you the e2i nearest to your postcode, with hours. Use the matcher, or look one up at e2i.com.sg.