New Dignity of Work Programme in Singapore to support employment for individuals with autism

The programme, launched by St. Andrew's Autism Centre, will allow individuals to take on simple and manageable work in the chosen industries, while enabling them to overcome the challenges caused by their autism in a work setting.

St Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC) has launched the Dignity of Work (DoW) Programme, a new initiative designed to empower individuals with autism gain meaningful employment.

According to SAAC, the DoW is different from open employment in the following ways:

This is different from open employment in the following ways:

1. Work in the chosen industries is simple and manageable for persons with moderate autism.
2. Supported employment means that persons with moderate autism are working alongside supportive colleagues. This enables them to overcome the challenges caused by their autism in a work setting.
3. In open employment, employees are expected to be economically productive in order justify their pay. The aim of DoW is to provide persons with autism the opportunities to be productive and contribute to society.

Speaking at the launch event on 25 March 2025 (Tuesday), Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Health in Singapore, shared that training under the DoW programme will take on a person-centred approach, tailored to each individual's strengths and interests in the newly launched baking domain. Individuals with autism will be given an avenue to learn both technical skills such as 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."

In her speech, MOS Rahayu also emphasised the importance of an inclusive ecosystem in Singapore.

Building confidence and independence through employment

Employment provides more than just financial stability. It fosters dignity, confidence, and self-worth. This is especially true for persons with disabilities, who often face barriers to securing jobs. MOS Rahayu highlighted that increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities is a key goal of the Enabling Masterplan 2030, which aims to raise their employment rate from 33.6% to 40% by 2030.

Collaboration with employers and the community

MOS Rahayu acknowledged the critical role of organisations such as SP Group, whose support helped bring the Dignity of Work Programme to life. She expressed gratitude for SP Group’s generous support, which made the programme possible for participants and their caregivers. SP Group sets a strong example with its inclusive hiring practices and commitment to integrating persons with disabilities into the workplace, demonstrating that fostering an inclusive environment is not just an aspiration but a reflection of their core values.

Along those lines, SP Group has shared that it is contributing S$700,000 to fund structured vocational training for youths with autism. The support extends beyond financial aid, as it will be working closely with St. Andrew’s Autism Centre to provide autism-friendly facilities, enhance training spaces, and create sustainable employment pathways. By addressing the ‘post-18 cliff’ where young adults with autism struggle to find opportunities after finishing formal education, SP said it aims to help more individuals transition into meaningful work.

"As we deepen our support for children and youth from lower-income backgrounds, we recognise the growing needs in the special education sector that require targeted intervention," shared Stanley Huang, Group CEO of SP Group. "Our focus is on helping youth with autism and their caregivers to be self-sustaining and improve their quality of life," he added.