MOM implements policies to improve the skills and productivity of the Singapore workforce. This ensures that Singapore workers are able to secure better jobs, higher incomes, and a stable retirement.
Singapore may be small, but it packs a powerful punch because of its advanced human capital. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) puts measures in place to further develop this human capital by fostering progressive workplaces and a productive workforce.
It exemplifies this mission with one of its most recent initiatives – SkillsFuture – which aims at providing Singaporeans with opportunities to expand their skillsets. Beyond the individual level, MOM empowers workplace communities by rolling out policies such as the Fair Consideration Framework to ensure fair employment practices.
Two MOM officers share with us what drew them to a career in the organisation, and how they shaped policies that make a difference.
What drew you to a career with MOM?
Gerald Yeo: I began my career in the private sector as a market research analyst and was curious about how it would be like to work in the public sector. When I saw the job opening for a strategic planning and analytics position in MOM, I was immediately drawn to it since it was a combination of the area I am well-versed in (analytics) and the area I have a lot of interest in (strategic planning).
Yiap Li Li Tiffany
Policy Analyst, Occupational Safety & Health Unit, Workplace Policy and Strategy Division
Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore
"Ask yourself what it is that makes you want to get out of bed every morning. If it’s to make a difference to workers and businesses in Singapore, join us!"
Tiffany Yiap: To be honest, I was just like any other lost fresh graduate before I sat down to think about what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually, I decided I wanted a job that would allow me to make a difference to Singapore, and found myself gearing towards socio-economic issues at MOM which are closer to my heart.
Tell us about your roles and responsibilities at MOM.
Gerald: I am in the Customer Responsiveness Department (CRD), which leads MOM’s service delivery planning and manages key customer touchpoints such as the MOM Contact Centre, MOM Services Centre and MOM website. One of my key roles is to uncover customer insights from the inflow of enquiries coming through these service touchpoints, and work with other divisions to design action plans to enhance our service delivery.
Tiffany: Identify, analyse, recommend – that’s the gist of my job. As a Policy Analyst for Workplace Safety and Health policies and Work Injury Compensation policies, I have to be a problem fixer. I have to make sense of the problem to kick off the problem-solving process, and analyse the problem thereafter by conducting research, consultations, and calculations. The exciting part comes when you have to recommend and present Identify, analyse, recommend – that’s the gist of my job. As a Policy Analyst for Workplace Safety and Health policies and Work Injury Compensation policies, I have to be a problem fixer. I have to make sense of the problem to kick off the problem-solving process, and analyse the problem thereafter by conducting research, consultations, and calculations. The exciting part comes when you have to recommend and present solutions to bosses and stakeholders. Defending, negotiating, and communicating our proposals are always very interesting experiences.
What are some of the challenges you face at work? How do you overcome them?
Gerald: Customers come to us with a multitude of issues. It can be challenging to understand every one of them until we are able to contextualise their issues and put ourselves in their shoes. It is important to constantly read up on cases, and speak to colleagues who have had past experiences in dealing with similar incidents.
Having come from the private sector, the speed at which things moved seemed to me a bit slower. This is largely because the organisation is huge and there is a complex system of rules and procedures to abide by. I have come to realise that they are inevitable because the government has to be accountable to the public. Real and lasting results are sometimes slow in the making.
Gerald Yeo Xiujun
Manager, Strategic Planning and Analytics Team, Customer Responsiveness Department
Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences, National University of Singapore
"My team is currently working on a service blueprint for the Ministry. It is the first time I get to write sections of a book and design how it looks. This is an opportunity that does not come by often and I’ll look back with pride when the publication is released."
Tiffany: Doing what is right may not always coincide with doing what is easy. It can be a challenge to convince people to go by the right but more difficult way. I’ve learnt to stand firm on my beliefs and slowly try to garner support.
As with every other policy, there’s always a need to balance stakeholders’ interests and deal with tradeoffs. There’s no way to overcome tradeoffs – we can only minimise them. On my part, I’ve learnt to become more objective and look at the bigger picture.
Share with us some memorable episodes you have had throughout your career. Why are they so memorable?
Gerald: One of the most memorable episodes is working on the procurement for an outsourced service. I used to work on the ‘vendor side’ – pitching proposals to get a job commissioned, and lamenting the long wait for clients to approve them. Now that I am on the ‘client side’, I finally understand the tedious work behind the entire procurement procedure!
I’ve also had the chance to be involved in the production of a publication. My team is currently working on a service blueprint for the Ministry. It is the first time I get to write sections of a book and design how it looks. This is an opportunity that does not come by often and I’ll look back with pride when the publication is released.
Tiffany: In my first year, a colleague and I represented our division in an MOM-wide design competition. This required me to conceptualise and aesthetically present the future of workplaces within a 23cm by 23cm by 13cm frame. The project seemed time-consuming at first but I truly enjoyed being able to express my creativity. Our hard work paid off as our Permanent Secretary liked our concept and design the most.
Another memorable episode was when I staffed my first work trip to Australia. From preparation to presentation, I was required to learn as much as I could and work fast. I’m happy about the outcome of the trip and the knowledge we gained about Australia’s work injury compensation system.
What advice would you have for those who wish to join MOM?
Gerald: There are many different job roles and functions in the Ministry. It’s important to understand what each of them entails so you can better match your skillsets and interests. For example, a policy officer focuses on the formulation and review of polices which involves a fair bit of writing, while a frontline officer engages the public on a daily basis to address their needs and concerns. It is good to speak to existing officers to better understand the work nature so you know what you are getting into.
Tiffany:Ask yourself what it is that makes you want to get out of bed every morning. If it’s to make a difference to workers and businesses in Singapore, join us! Ultimately, I believe it’s essential for one to like what you do in order to excel in it.
