Istana Open House features inclusive employment for the first time

The Istana open house held on November 1, prior to Deepavali, featured a new focus on inclusive employment for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. This marked the first time the event, typically centered around live performances and family-friendly activities, showcased such efforts. The open house, organized by the Singapore Business Federation’s social impact arm, provided visitors with insights into communities in need and the employment challenges they faced.

Present at the event were President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Ittogi, who interacted with community organizations and inclusive employers showcasing their booths. These employers included social enterprise Inclus and New Hope Community Services, each of which supported disadvantaged individuals through various programs.

New Hope Community Services, for example, partnered with Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals. Leslie Lenus, area director of people and culture at these hotels, explained that instead of seeking ideal candidates, they focused on matching roles with individuals' strengths, broke roles into manageable tasks, and provided structured onboarding, consistent routines, and guidance from supervisors and peers.

They emphasized that inclusive hiring does not mean lowering standards; rather, inclusive hires are held to the same performance and service expectations.

The community marketplace, organized by the SBF Foundation, featured a diverse range of groups, such as rough sleepers, distressed women dealing with family challenges, and individuals recovering from mental health issues, who could benefit from tailored coaching, skills preparation, and support to navigate the job market. Employers, in turn, may require assistance in redesigning roles, adapting workplace practices, and supporting employees as they settle into new positions.

This collaborative approach between businesses and community organizations can lead to meaningful results, according to Yap Su-Yin, the foundation’s chief executive and chief social sustainability officer.

Earlier in the day, the President, who also serves as the patron of the SBF Foundation, inaugurated the EmployWell: Walk for Work 2026. Over 1,000 participants from more than 110 companies took part in this charity walk, held for the first time at the Istana. The walk raised more than $1 million, which will support the Foundation’s community partners and jobseekers, including strengthening connections with social service agencies.

Yap also highlighted that the EmployWell program has helped over 2,700 individuals gain employability support since 2022, with more than 1,250 securing jobs with over 200 inclusive employers. The Foundation plans to expand the program to include mature workers as there is an increasing need to support them and create pathways for continued purpose, employment, and contribution.

Another notable feature of the open house was live narration during the changing of guards ceremony, enabling visitors to comprehend the significance of this military tradition. The event also included a dedicated reading space by the National Library Board, part of its ReadSG initiative, featuring a selection of books recommended by the President and Ittogi.

Visitors enjoyed various music, dance, and cultural performances by local talents, such as singer-songwriters Ahmadul Amin and Heema Izzati, and students from Singapore Polytechnic. The Istana open house will continue until 8pm today, with the last entry at 6.30pm. Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and migrant domestic workers accompanying their families. Other visitors are required to pay an admission fee.