SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT ST. ANDREW’S AUTISM CENTRE – DIGNITY OF WORK PROGRAMME LAUNCH, 25 MARCH 2025

Mr Lim Yuan En, Honorary Treasurer of St Andrew’s Autism Centre Management Committee

Mr Bernard Chew, Chief Executive Officer of St Andrew’s Autism Centre

Mr Stanley Huang, Group Chief Executive Officer of SP Group

Mr Chew Kwee San, Vice Chairman

It is a privilege to be here with everyone today to witness the launch of the Dignity of Work Programme at St Andrew’s Autism Centre. This programme aims to empower persons with autism through providing supported employment opportunities for them to participate in meaningful work and activities.

2.           Employment plays a significant role in our participation in society. Beyond providing financial independence, employment gives us a sense of dignity and boosts our confidence and self-worth. This is no different for persons with disabilities.

3.           Boosting the employment of persons with disabilities is a key priority under the Enabling Masterplan 2030. I recall some years back when I was still a backbencher, I made a speech about how to create an inclusive ecosystem where persons with disabilities are empowered to gain confidence because the costs of actually supporting them, if they are not fully empowered, will be much higher. It is such a meaningful endeavour now being part of the government that is also looking at how we can improve this ecosystem and to see that the Enabling Masterplan can translate into something meaningful. Our aim is to raise the employment rate of persons with disabilities to 40% by 2030, up from 33.6% today. To do so, we have been steadily strengthening employment support for persons with disabilities and inclusive employers.

4.           Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget 2025 speech last month shared the example of Sharlyne Lee, a St Andrew’s Autism School graduate. After graduation, Sharlyne received training and employment support through SG Enable’s School-to-Work Transition Programme, which helped her to secure an internship and eventually, full-time employment as a Housekeeping Assistant in Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home. Her employment and contributions to society have been made possible through a strong ecosystem of support, including her teachers, job coaches, employers, colleagues, as well as her family.

5.            The Ministry of Social and Family Development also announced at the recent Committee of Supply Debate enhancements to ITE and SG Enable’s internship and employment support programme, as well as the School-to-Work Transition Programme to support more students like Sharlyne. However, there will be other persons with disabilities who need a more structured environment and longer-term support to be able to be employed meaningfully.

6.           Today’s launch of St Andrew’s Autism Centre’s supported employment programme – Dignity of Work – is catered to this group of our loved ones who need more support. Moving to a person-centred approach, training is carefully tailored to each individual's strengths and interests in the newly launched baking domain. Individuals with autism will learn both technical skills like ingredient preparation and food safety, as well as essential soft skills such as teamwork and time management. They will be training in an actual bakery, guided by professional bakers and dedicated job coaches. At the same time, it will provide an inclusive environment where individuals with autism are welcomed by colleagues who understand the challenges they face and are prepared to make the necessary accommodations to work alongside them. 

7.           You can have a programme but if it is not with partners who actually believe in the cause and who can accommodate and accept a little less productivity – it’s not going to be a meaningful endeavour. I am very encouraged by the support of SP Group with their generous donation in making the Dignity of Work Programme a reality for the participants and their caregivers. SP Group leads by example through their inclusive hiring practices and integration of persons with disabilities into their workplaces. They have demonstrated that creating an inclusive work environment where all staff can learn, grow, and make an impact is not just an aspiration, but testament to their values in action.

8.           And finally, to persons with disabilities and their families: we see you, we value you, and we are committed to creating a future where you have every opportunity to live to your fullest potential. I hope this is something that we can continue to grow in many different industries. It is indeed a wonderful celebration of our 60 years of existence, to see partners, to understand the ecosystem, to know the gap and find others to work together. I hope this is something we will continue to see in our society.

Thank you.