The Singapore Workforce Development Agency has recently launched the Employability Skills System (ESS). Designed to raise the overall skills standards of the workforce, the ESS comprises of 15 training modules to equip the workforce with skill sets to remain employable & relevant in the current economy. For more details, please refer to the following pdf file. Or you can contact NTUC LearningHub @ 6372 6931 or enquiries@ntuclearninghub.com.

On 26 February 2005, a bus tour cum bum boat ride was organized jointly by UTES and NTUC for Haven Children’s Home. A group of 23 children participated in the tour, along with our union officials and HQ staff. The tour included visits to the Changi Prison Museum, Mount Faber and Har Par Villa, as well as a bum boat ride to Pulau Ubin for sensory trail. The children also enjoyed lunch, games and lucky draw at Mcdonalds. The tour ended with the giving away of a $10 ‘ang pow’, courtesy of NTUC, to each of the children. Indeed, it was a day of fun for the children from Haven’s Children Home.

We are looking forward to the next outing, to be scheduled sometime in May 2005. So members, who are keen to join us, do keep a lookout for details in the next issue of UTES Newsflash!

We would like to thank those members who have responded to our call for volunteers for UTES adopted homes under the Salvation Army – Gracehaven Children’s Home at Yio Chu Kang & Haven Children’s Home at Pasir Panjang. The homes will directly contact those members who offer to coach the children. For the rest who can help on an ad-hoc bas, UTES will keep you informed of any future activities.

Both homes have raised to us the urgent need for tutor volunteers to provide coaching for this group of under privileged children. Such volunteer tutors would be preferably required to commit their time at least once a week on a 6-month basis.

For those who are willing to volunteer their services on an ad-hoc basis, you may also leave your details with us. When we organize any activities for the homes, your help would be enlisted.

So do not hesitate and act now! Interested parties, please contact IRM Ms Janice Lee @ 63371122 x 35 or janicelee@utes.org.sg, with your name, I/C No, company, availability and contact details.

For members who wish to subscribe to UTES mailing list to receive updates on union activities, kindly e-mail to Ms Janice Lee janicelee@utes.org.sg , with the subject heading ‘Subscribe UTES’.

Enjoy UTES subsidized rates for two chalets located at Downtown East in Pasir Ris. Each fully air-conditioned studio unit accommodates 4 persons and comes with attached bathroom, a refrigerator, a microwave, a television set and an Xbox console!

Book a chalet with UTES and members can enjoy FREE UNLIMITED DAY ENTRY PASS for 4 persons to Wild Wild Wet (worth up to $50) as well as the Escape theme park (worth up to $66).

For chalet bookings and enquiries, you may also contact Mr Sebastian @ 6337 1122 or email chalet@utes.org.sg. Bookings will only be confirmed upon payment by cash or cheque, on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations allowed. Bookings may be done in person at UTES Office. For a copy of the chalet booking form, please click here.

For members who have yet to collect their souvenirs, please kindly present the original letter for collection at UTES office, from Mondays – Fridays: 9.30am–5.00pm & Saturdays :9.30am-12.30pm. For further enquiries, please contact Ms Kamilah at 63371122 x 29 or kamilah@utes.org.sg.

The closing date for the souvenir collection will be 31 March 2005. Any collection after 31 March 2005 will be subjected to stock availability.

For further enquiries, please contact Ms Kamilah at 63371122 x 29 or kamilah@utes.org.sg.

From 8-30 April 2005, be dazzled and truly inspired by the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. Union members get an exclusive discount of 20% for tickets. So hurry and book your tickets now! For details on booking, please click here.

NTUC INCOME and NTUC Community Development will be jointly organizing a blood donation drive on:
Date: 17 March 2005
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Venue: NTUC Income Centre,
7th Floor Conference Rm, 75, Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189557
All prospective donors are to bring along their NRIC (passport for non-Singaporean) or donation card. For more details please contact NTUC at 62138201/8202.

For the month of March, you can visit the Newater Plant, aloe vera and sausage factory with NTUC Club, 3 rd Chapter. For details of the above activities, please click here.

The new, sleek NTUC Card has replaced the old NTUC Gold Link Card (and Silver Link Card with hologram). Your Linkpoints will be automatically transferred from your old card to your new card. It's completely hassle-free!

If you have not received your NTUC Card, please call NTUC Customer Service Hotline at 6213-8008 or e-mail membership@ntuc.org.sg.

For members who have received your new NTUC Cards, start using them now!  Visit http://www.ntuc.com.sg/card/ to learn more about the new NTUC card and its benefits.

For enquiries about the new NTUC Card, please click here to refer the following FAQ sheet.

Changed your address or contact number?

If you have moved or changed your contact number, kindly update UTES by contacting our membership officer, Ms Kamilah @ 63371122 x 29 or kamilah@utes.org.sg

In NTUC News dated 4 th March 2005, union leaders spoke up on the issue of older workers and retirement age. “HELP workers work beyond 62 years old, but don ’t change the law to extend the retirement age, said union leaders responding to the recent discussion on getting more people to work beyond the present retirement age. They told NTUC News that a better way to raise the effective retirement age was to facilitate the employment of older workers.” For the full story, visit http://www.ntuc.org.sg/ntucunions/news_040305a.asp

UTES Souvenir Distribution Exercise-Final Collection Updates

A final reminder to all members who have yet to collect their souvenirs, please kindly present the original letter for collection at UTES office, from Mondays – Fridays: 9.30am–5.00pm & Saturdays :9.30am-12.30pm. For further enquiries, please contact Ms Kamilah at 63371122 x 29 or kamilah@utes.org.sg.

The closing date for the souvenir collection will be 31 March 2005. Any collection after 31 March 2005 will be subjected to stock availability.

Come 14 May 2005 as part of the May Day 2005 celebrations, there will be a mass outing for the children from Haven’s Children Home from 9.30am-1.00pm at Sentosa. The children will be participating in an “Amazing Race” Fun and Discovery Trail at Sentosa, with Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower gracing the event as Guest-of-Honour.

We hereby seek members’ help in volunteering as facilitators for the event. You are required to help in attending to the children’s needs and acting as a guide for the children during the outing. All expenses, transport and logistics arrangements will be borne by UTES and NTUC. A briefing will be held for all volunteers, once details are confirmed.

nterested parties, please contact IRM Ms Janice Lee @ 63371122 x 35 or janicelee@utes.org.sg, with your name, I/C No, company, contact details and subject heading ’May Day Outing 2005’.

We thank all of you who have taken the trouble to send in your applications for the NTUC Fairprice Vouchers. As NTUC was only able to give us a very limited number of vouchers for the second round, we regret to inform that we are unable to accede to all the applications due to the overwhelming response. However, you have our assurance that the union has gone through a careful round of selection, according to the stated criteria, in awarding to the successful recipients.

For members who wish to subscribe to UTES mailing list to receive updates on union activities, kindly e-mail to Ms Janice Lee janicelee@utes.org.sg , with the subject heading ‘Subscribe UTES’.

Enjoy UTES subsidized rates for two chalets located at Downtown East in Pasir Ris. Each fully air-conditioned studio unit accommodates 4 persons and comes with attached bathroom, a refrigerator, a microwave, a television set and an Xbox console!

Book a chalet with UTES and members can enjoy FREE UNLIMITED DAY ENTRY PASS for 4 persons to Wild Wild Wet (worth up to $50) as well as the Escape theme park (worth up to $66).

For chalet bookings and enquiries, you may also contact Mr Sebastian @ 6337 1122 or email chalet@utes.org.sg. Bookings will only be confirmed upon payment by cash or cheque, on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations allowed. Bookings may be done in person at UTES Office. For a copy of the chalet booking form, please click here.

For further enquiries, please contact Ms Kamilah at 63371122 x 29 or kamilah@utes.org.sg.

NTUC is proud to bring you this new service! These e-coupons which are updated every week, offer you fantastic discounts when you shop at any NTUC Fairprice outlet in Singapore!

Hong Kong's best loved celebrities are back by popular demand in Jubilee 2005! Simply flash your NTUC Card at any SISTIC outlet and get 20% off ticket prices!

Union members can enjoy 10% off with minimum purchase of $25 at Sweet Secrets Pastry Shop and 10% discount on regular priced items with a minimum purchase of $10 in a single receipt at The Cocoa Trees. So for all those who have a sweet tooth, you are in for a treat!

For the month of March, you can visit the Newater Plant, aloe vera and sausage factory with NTUC Club, 3 rd Chapter. For details of the above activities, please click here.

The new, sleek NTUC Card has replaced the old NTUC Gold Link Card (and Silver Link Card with hologram). Your Linkpoints will be automatically transferred from your old card to your new card. It's completely hassle-free!

If you have not received your NTUC Card, please call NTUC Customer Service Hotline at 6213-8008 or e-mail membership@ntuc.org.sg.

For members who have received your new NTUC Cards, start using them now!  Visit http://www.ntuc.com.sg/card/ to learn more about the new NTUC card and its benefits.

For enquiries about the new NTUC Card, please click here to refer the following FAQ sheet.

Changed your address or contact number?

If you have moved or changed your contact number, kindly update UTES by contacting our membership officer, Ms Kamilah @ 63371122 x 29 or kamilah@utes.org.sg