Fractional work, traineeships being trialled to support seniors wishing to contribute to workforce

Running from October 2025 to September 2026, this will involve developing a practicum-based curriculum, redesigning full-time care roles into fractionalised positions and encouraging social service agencies to hire mid-career workers.

Traineeships and internships are among the prototypes as well.

Air cargo handler and caterer SATS is developing part-time internships for mature professionals to re-enter the workforce.

SBS Transit is exploring a 12-month traineeship programme that exposes mid-career candidates to bus captain and bus operations roles before considering them for permanent positions.

Flexible work arrangements targeted at senior workers are also being developed.

Transport provider Tower Transit is designing a rostering policy for bus captains aged 63 to 74 that gives them a balance of regular and less physically demanding shifts.

It is also developing a “dual vocation” model for older bus captains to alternate between driving and less physically intensive work, and to take on lighter workloads like part-time driving or buddying fellow bus captains who are familiarising themselves with new routes.

Kampong Kapor Community Services is targeting a gig work programme for social service professionals aged 40 and above. This will involve re-engaging experienced social workers and counsellors through gig roles, also addressing manpower shortages at the same time.

Multinational corporations like chipmaker Micron Technology and HSBC are also among the participants.

Micron Technology aims to engage groups like caregivers who returning to work and mid-career and senior workers in advisory roles through a career re-entry programme.

The programme will feature targeted outreach, structured onboarding and mentoring for these workers, as well as inclusive leadership training for hiring managers.

HSBC will work on normalising mid-career mobility by supporting mature employees to achieve certification in a different domain of their choice, or to pivot into a different role.