Record number of airport community companies participate in CAG-NorthLight Job Attachment Programme

A total of 13 companies in Changi Airport have joined hands with Changi Airport Group’s philanthropic arm, Changi Foundation, to offer as many as 57 places for job attachments for NorthLight School students this year.Through the CAG-NorthLight Job Attachment Programme, companies such as Swensen’s, Certis CISCO Aviation Security and Plaza Premium will be offering the students a glimpse of what working life is like in various areas such as F&B, retail and cargo logistics.

Starting with only five companies two years ago, the CAG-NorthLight Job Attachment Programme has gained good traction.Aimed at preparing the Year 3 students for their transition from student life to work life, the programme is part of an over-arching Career Development Programme developed by Changi Foundation to complement the school’s curriculum in the area of vocational education.

The programme comprises four days of job attachment, ending with a grooming workshop and graduation ceremony.The workshop focuses on teaching the students grooming skills to prepare them for the working world. The job attachments on the other hand, provide the students with hands-on experience of what interacting with counterparts and customers is like, under a safe environment, supervised by a mentor.They will be matched with their areas of interest as far as possible and be given the opportunity to develop their knowledge skills sets further with practical on-the-job training.With the programme running into its third year, more than 130 students have benefitted from the exposure. Of the 57 job attachments, CAG will be hosting 16 across the functions of airport emergency service, horticulture, facilities management, airside operations and engineering.

Ivy Choo, Senior Manager of the People Team at CAG said, “Changi Foundation came up with this idea of a job attachment programme, as the school wanted to hone the students’ job readiness skills in an actual work setting, before they graduate and join the workforce.After our first run of the programme, the feedback was very positive, which motivated us to transform this into an annual programme.

“Besides exposing the students to the various job opportunities available at the airport, this programme also unites CAG and the airport community for a good cause.Our airport partners have expressed that the job attachment programme provides them with a good platform to contribute to community building through their respective areas of expertise.Their staff have also felt enriched by their involvement working with youths,” she added.

One company which is a strong supporter of this programme is Swensen’s.A second time participant, Swensen’s will be hosting six students this year.Lai Ing Eer, who is now an Area Manager with the popular family restaurant, joined Swensen’s as her first job at the age of 18. She is a strong believer in giving opportunities to young adults who are starting out in the workforce, and enjoys guiding youths in their personal and career development. Ing Eer said, “Given the right training and some encouragement, most of these young adults go on to excel in their role.In Singapore, where F&B establishments constantly struggle with manpower shortage, Swensen’s is glad to be able to contribute towards the nurturing and development of young talent for the industry.”

“The work experience boosts our students’ confidence in adapting to working life after they graduate from NorthLight,” Victoria Galang, NorthLight’s Year 3 Head-Teacher said. “In fact, some of the students were so encouraged by their attachment stint that they requested for the school to help them return to the same companies for their two-month final year industrial experience programme, so that they can gain even more experience before stepping out into the workforce.”

The Changi Foundation Career Development Programme is part of a holistic framework aimed at complementing the school’s curriculum in the area of Vocational Education.