Inside NTUC’s e2i: Career transition support for retrenched workers in Singapore

Imagine being retrenched while you’re on holiday—it’s a surefire way to dampen the mood and snap you back into reality.

That’s what happened to former Jetstar Asia employee Muhammad Fatahurrazi Mohamed Nawawi, who received the dreaded call that cut short his vacation—and his livelihood.

“It was shocking. I was clueless. I couldn’t think straight. What’s going to happen to me? Can my skillsets be applied outside?” the 38-year-old recalled.

Jetstar Asia shut down in July 2025.

What’s the retrenchment outlook in 2026?

Unfortunately, Fatah wasn’t the only one retrenched in Singapore in 2025. The Manpower Ministry reported that 14,400 workers lost their jobs in 2025, up from 13,020 in 2024, underscoring the need for measures to address the growing number of job losses.

How NTUC is addressing retrenchment in Singapore

To tackle the retrenchment issue, NTUC Member of Parliament Patrick Tay raised concerns about severance payments at the 4 February 2026 Parliament sitting.

To which, Manpower Minister Koh Poh Koon said that both the Ministry and the unions should continue engaging with MNCs to align retrenchment benefits with the Singapore tripartite norm. While there is no legal minimum, the union norm is about two weeks to one month’s salary per year of service, capped at 25 years. Mr Koh added that most companies would move closer to the Singapore average once they understand the business environment.

What is NTUC’s e2i, and how does it support retrenched workers?

Have you been retrenched? Turn to NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) for help.

e2i offers practical assistance—from career coaching and job matching to workplace advisory— tailored to each worker’s situation.

In the past two years, it has helped workers from over 3,600 companies, including Jetstar Asia, Agoda, and Lazada.

How NTUC’s e2i helps retrenched workers through a structured process

Once your company notifies e2i of an impending retrenchment, the team overseeing the relevant industry will initiate a clear plan to help affected workers, said NTUC’s e2i Senior Manager (Trade & Connectivity) Giselle Ong (pictured below).

“We will work with the unions, the agencies and the employer to consider the plans that can help with the career transition.

“Concurrently, we will discuss with the employer to understand how we can help the affected workers, be it virtually or physically. With an understanding of workers’ profiles, we can curate jobs that align to their experience and skills. We will also check jobs in other industries,” she elaborated.

What to do if you’ve been retrenched

Consider personalised career coaching to regain direction

To improve your chances of getting a job, consider getting guidance from an e2i career coach at any of its career centres throughout Singapore. Get help with skills assessment and career pathway planning, résumé building, interview preparation, and job placement.

NTUC’s e2i Senior Manager (Career Services) Wang Xiushen (pictured above) explains the two-step approach coaches take to support retrenched workers.

“When we are on-site [at a job fair], we focus on supportive engagement during the initial session because many workers may not be ready for in-depth coaching at that point. We mainly provide emotional support and share useful resources.

“Once [workers] are ready, we arrange a follow-up session where we provide deeper personalised guidance. This can include helping them clarify their direction, build strong résumés, prepare for interviews or strategise their job search,” he said.

Attend e2i job fairs that lead to real jobs

Your career coach may recommend that you attend relevant e2i job fairs. These job events could be on-site or virtual, covering various sectors in Singapore and held at accessible locations, including the heartlands.

At these hiring events, you’ll get a chance to meet recruiters with immediate vacancies, receive career guidance from career coaches, and explore AI interview simulations and job kiosks. Both rank-and-file and PME positions are available to meet your needs.

Remember Fatah (pictured above), the worker retrenched by Jetstar Asia? He managed to secure a new role through a specially curated job matching exercise e2i organised for over 500 affected workers.

Today, he’s a Training and Development Manager with the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association.

“[e2i’s team support] didn’t feel like a business transaction. They showed empathy and asked how we were feeling. This built my confidence,” Fatah said.

Along with job fairs, you can also consider attending networking sessions to explore new opportunities and job briefings to discover roles in specific industries.

Continue with career transition support after new job

NTUC’s e2i’s help doesn’t stop when you secure a job. After you start at the new company, career coaches will continue to provide career transition support through progress checks and workplace advisory, ensuring you are settling into your new role.

In fact, you can continue engaging e2i for ongoing career guidance, as well as training and upskilling opportunities.

Who can get help from NTUC’s e2i?

Any worker in Singapore, including PMEs, rank-and-file workers, older workers, caregivers, and mid-career switchers, can come to NTUC’s e2i for help.

If you’re an NTUC union member, do seek e2i’s assistance to use the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) and receive up to $500 annually to offset upskilling course fees.

How to get help if you’ve been retrenched

You can make an appointment to see a career coach at any of the 26 e2i career or job centres located in the North, West, East and Central Singapore. Some outlets even offer 24-hour services. Remember to bring employment documents that will be helpful to your situation.

While walk-ins are accepted, priority is given to those with appointments. Expect longer waiting times or no coaching session at all if the centre’s schedule is full.

As with any major life decision, preparation is key. Seek help as soon as you receive the news; don’t wait until your last day of employment, as that can delay securing a new job.

Conclusion: Retrenchment is a setback, not the end

Losing a job is challenging, but it doesn’t have to define you. Get help early, consider learning new skills to enhance your employability, and stay open to new opportunities.

Retrenchment marks the end of a job, but with the right support from NTUC’s e2i, you can look forward to starting a new and better one. Think of it as getting a second chance to rewrite your career and unlock your full potential.

Lost your job? Visit NTUC’s e2i’s website to find out how they can help you.