New business forum launched to encourage inclusive hiring

THE inaugural Inclusive Business Forum was launched on Friday to encourage employers to hire more persons with disabilities as well as to help firms learn and share best practices with other organisations.

The forum, centred around the theme Focus on Abilities - Training, Hiring and Integrating Persons with Disabilities, was jointly organised by SG Enable and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the guest of honour at the event.

Panellists speaking at the forum discussed the need for training and mentorship, job process redesign as well as assistive technology to create a work culture that can play to the strengths of persons with disabilities.

This year, SG Enable will establish a series of online human resource management guides so that employers have the necessary skills and knowledge when it comes to areas such as hiring, accommodating and retaining persons with disabilities at the workplace.

Meanwhile, employers looking to link up with job-seekers and training providers can tap a disability employment portal, which lists information on training, internships and employment opportunities.

In addition, the Tote Board will channel S$5 million from the S$30 million earmarked under the Tote Board-Enabling Lives initiative for grants to be used towards transition-to-employment programmes.