General practitioners (GPs) and some healthcare professionals under GP+ Co-operative can stand to benefit from upskilling and reskilling with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

On 11 January, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between GP+ Co-operative and NTUC. The MOU is said to benefit GPs, medical specialists, locum doctors, clinic managers and staff.

“This collaboration of Operation & Technology Roadmap and Company Training Committee will further the skills development and reskilling within the GP+ Co-operative’s ecosystems to meet future challenges, trends and sectoral needs,” said Dr Lee Yik Voon, Chairman of GP+ Co-operative.

The NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) is an initiative that supports companies by enhancing their workers’ hard and soft skills, helping businesses bridge the relevant gaps and improve their capabilities. After setting up the committee, the NTUC team will meet with businesses regularly to discuss skills and transformation initiatives.

NTUC has established over 2,700 CTCs since its inception in 2019. To date, close to 6,000 workers across about 260 companies with approved CTC Grants could benefit from wage increase and/or through Career Development Plan, according to a news coverage in Nov 2024.

“Issues concerning the PMEs (professionals, managers and executives) are something the labour movement is very passionate about,” said Mr Patrick Tay NTUC Assistant Secretary-General.  

“The labour movement has been very worker centric in a way,” Mr Tay added. “But we also realised along the way that we also need to help companies so that employers and businesses can do well. That way, there will be positive impacts on the ground with people within the ecosystem.”

Mr Tay also said that the partnership will enable GPs to improve the service of care rendered to patients, impacting the general public. He said: “With the MOU, we hope to tee up with a lot of great things we can do together, collaboratively and cooperatively.”

“What is it that co-operatives are so attractive to the team at NTUC?” quipped Mr Ang Hin Kee, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore National Co-operative Federation, in his opening statement. “Firstly, co-operatives are willing to do many things; some were willing to be the first to reduce price on treatments and costs of living, or anything else that the community will need.”  

“Secondly, there is a lot of readiness in the co-operative to say that they are willing to work with people who are sincere. So, NTUC found a willing and able partner (GP+ Co-op) and it would be nice to see how this collaboration turns out,” said Mr Ang.

Words and Photos By Sng Ler Jun