Companies urged to involve youth in community life programmes

SINGAPORE: Singapore companies have been urged to play their role in enhancing community life in Singapore and involving youth to share their ideas in this area.

Senior Minister of State for Education, Lawrence Wong made this point when he launched the second DBS Remix Branch at the NUS campus on Thursday afternoon.

DBS had launched its first branch at the Scape Park in October last year.

Mr Wong said DBS can involve the young by tapping their ideas to shape programmes on financial literacy and other new programmes too.

On its part, DBS is investing in the young adult segment where customers are offered highly digital experiences and the systems are almost paperless.

Mr Wong elaborates on the relationship companies should have with the young.

Mr Wong said: "Companies also can play a role and when companies do so there are a lot of opportunities for collaboration and win—win propositions, because the companies will benefit by showing to young people the different ranges of career offerings.

"Young people can also benefit by understanding what the companies are doing, understanding what career opportunities there are and they will also get to see what life is like in the work environment beyond school."

DBS is also taking part in the university’s work—study assistance programme.

Through the NUS Career centre, it is seeking undergraduates either in their third— or fourth—year studies to work at the DBS Remix branch on campus as youth ambassadors.

DBS said it will shortlist six undergraduates for this programme which will allow the students to supplement their finances and at the same time gain valuable work experience in a branch banking environment.

DBS said it will assess the work and services provided by the two new Remix branches before deciding on future plans for similar branches in other parts of the country.

Mr Sim S. Lim, Country Manager of DBS Singapore, said, "We will have to evaluate the results and if it makes sense for us to take this forward, we will. It’s too early right now to say whether we will or will not expand this."

— CNA/fa