• NTUC FairPrice Foundation has further pledged $200,000 to the Yellow Ribbon Fund

Singapore, 26 April 2023 – A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) and FairPrice Group (FPG) today, with the aim of providing employment and training opportunities and career development support for ex-offenders in the food services, logistics and retail sectors.

The MOU signing ceremony was held at Downtown East and witnessed by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry, Ms Low Yen Ling, who was the Guest-of-Honour.

The MOU formalised collaborations between YRSG and FPG to provide employment opportunities and develop upskilling and career development pathways for ex-offenders in food services, logistics and retail roles.

YRSG provides case management services to help ex-offenders address work reintegration challenges during the initial 6 to 12 months after their release. This is an important scaffolding during their transition into society, and requires the support of partner employers. Under the partnership, FPG will work closely with YRSG and its career coaches to implement support structures, such as contextualised onboarding programmes, workplace mentorships, and engagements with supervisors and co-workers. By fostering an inclusive and accepting workplace environment, we enable ex-offenders to better assimilate and stay in the productive workforce.

NTUC FairPrice Foundation has also pledged $200,000 to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, to support initiatives aimed at promoting lifelong learning and career development for ex-offenders. This includes YRSG’s post-release partial training sponsorship scheme to motivate and provide initial funding support for ex-offenders to continue upskilling after release. The supported skills upgrading pathways will be determined in consultation with the respective trade associations and employers, and will include qualifications up to Diploma-level. The first tranche of funding will support up to 300 ex-offenders.

“YRSG looks forward to this collaboration with FairPrice Group, to further our common belief and commitment towards going beyond second chances. This joint initiative marks a significant expansion of YRSG’s network of partners and employers, providing more employment and training opportunities for ex-offenders. With meaningful employment and clear career progression pathways, we believe that ex-offenders will have a better chance at reintegrating successfully and contributing back to society in their own ways,” said Ms Rosanna Yam, Acting CEO of YRSG.

CEO of Food Services, FPG, Mr Henry Chu, also said, “In today’s tight labour market, we believe that every worker can be trained, reskilled and upskilled for a greater purpose. Through this partnership, we hope to offer employment and career development opportunities to beneficiaries of YRSG. Our collective goal is to help build a more inclusive society by providing ex-offenders with more than just a second chance in life but a new identity and meaning through their vocation.”

Chairman of FairPrice Foundation, Mr Seah Kian Peng said, “The successful integration of ex-offenders to society requires a whole-of-community effort. FairPrice Foundation’s contribution to YRSG empowers ex-offenders with gainful employment through training and skills upgrading. The contribution also provides financial assistance to the family unit, who usually serves as their immediate source of encouragement and support. We are happy to play our part in building a more inclusive and compassionate society and fully supportive in giving people second chances.”