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Jobs Nearby @ CDC: How Singapore Brings Career Support Closer to Home

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When Singaporeans think about career support, many picture centralised job portals or Workforce Singapore’s career centres. But with the Jobs Nearby @ CDC initiative, help is coming closer to home — literally.

The initiative was announced in mid-2025 and discussed on The Business Times’ daily podcast. It is part of Singapore’s ongoing effort to ensure employability in a labour market reshaped by automation, evolving industries, and shifting workforce demographics.

“Jobs Nearby @ CDC will make it easier for Singaporeans to access employment support in their neighbourhoods,” said North East CDC Mayor Desmond Choo during the launch event (CDC press release, 2025).

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Why the Initiative Matters

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), total employment grew by 15,800 in Q2 2025, with unemployment stable at 2.1%. Yet structural challenges remain:

  • Older workers face difficulty re-entering fast-changing industries.

  • PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) continue to represent the bulk of retrenchments.

  • Growth sectors such as green jobs, digital economy, and healthcare demand skills many job seekers may not yet have.

The Jobs Nearby @ CDC programme tackles these by decentralising support. Instead of job seekers travelling to centralised centres, CDC offices in the heartlands will offer:

  • Career advisory tailored to neighbourhood profiles

  • Job matching with nearby employers

  • Referrals to Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture programmes

  • Community-based workshops on employability

What Services Are Offered?

Service Area What It Means for Job Seekers Example Programmes/Partners
Career Advisory One-on-one guidance on CVs, interviews, and career planning CDC Career Coaches, WSG advisors
Job Matching Direct connections with employers hiring in nearby estates Local SMEs, service sector firms
Skills & Training Referrals to courses aligned with growth industries SkillsFuture, WSQ certifications
Community Support Peer networking and local job clubs CDC-hosted workshops & job fairs

This structure ensures that job seekers do not fall through the cracks, particularly those who may not actively seek online services or formal career centres.

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Who Benefits Most?

The initiative is broadly open, but several groups stand to gain the most:

  1. Mid-career professionals displaced from traditional industries such as manufacturing or retail.

  2. Older job seekers seeking flexible or part-time roles near their homes.

  3. Fresh graduates entering a competitive labour market.

  4. Caregivers and parents, who may prefer jobs within their estates for accessibility.

By rooting career support in the heartlands, the scheme recognises that proximity matters — not just in commuting to jobs, but in accessing the right guidance and resources.

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Labour Market Context

The latest labour market report (MOM, August 2025) shows:

  • Employment growth: +15,800 jobs in Q2 2025

  • Resident unemployment rate: 2.1%

  • Sectors hiring actively: healthcare, ICT, green economy

  • Sectors in decline: traditional retail, certain manufacturing sub-sectors

While overall figures remain stable, retrenchments rose slightly to 3,200 in Q2 2025, driven by restructuring in finance and tech. This makes localised initiatives like Jobs Nearby @ CDC timely.

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Why This Matters for Singapore’s Workforce

The initiative is more than just another career programme. It signals three important shifts:

  1. Neighbourhood-first approach: Employment support is embedded into communities, reducing barriers for those less digitally savvy.

  2. Decentralisation of services: Aligns with Singapore’s broader push to bring government services closer to citizens.

  3. Support for inclusive employment: Particularly relevant for mature workers, caregivers, and those seeking non-traditional work arrangements.


FAQs

1. Who can access Jobs Nearby @ CDC services?
All Singaporean citizens and PRs can approach their local CDC for advisory and job-matching services.

2. Do I need to register online first?
Registration varies by CDC, but walk-ins are accepted. Many CDCs also coordinate with WSG and MyCareersFuture.sg.

3. Are services free?
Yes, advisory and job-matching services provided by CDCs are free of charge.

4. Can employers participate?
Yes, SMEs and local firms can partner with CDCs to showcase vacancies at job fairs or career workshops.

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Sources consulted:
  • Ministry of Manpower, Labour Market Report Second Quarter 2025
  • The Business Times, Podcast: Jobs Nearby @ CDC initiative launched
  • North East CDC, Press Release on Jobs Nearby @ CDC Launch
  • Workforce Singapore, Career Matching and Advisory Services

 
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