Zurich Singapore and the Z Zurich Foundation have announced a two-year partnership with APSN (Association for Persons with Special Needs) to enhance vocational training for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. This collaboration is aimed at fostering an inclusive environment and supporting the empowerment of persons with special needs.
The partnership involves funding and resource provision by Zurich Singapore and the Z Zurich Foundation to enhance APSN's vocational training programmes and skills development curriculum. Central to this initiative is the APSN Centre for Adults (CFA), which focuses on equipping young adults with mild intellectual disabilities with practical skills and on-the-job training through tailored vocational programmes.
APSN's training and placement model has shown success in maintaining employment for trainees over 12 months. The involvement of Zurich and the Z Zurich Foundation is expected to expand APSN CFA's capacity, enhancing support for individuals with higher support needs and positively impacting more families and trainees.
This formal collaboration, originating from an employee-led initiative, builds on Zurich Singapore's ongoing relationship with APSN, focusing on volunteering, fundraising, and awareness-raising activities. Zurich Singapore plans to continue engaging employees in support of APSN through volunteering, philanthropy, and advocacy efforts.
The financial support from the Z Zurich Foundation will also enable APSN CFA to enhance its curriculum and introduce more customised training, aiming to improve trainees' prospects for higher-paying employment.
“We are very pleased to be collaborating with APSN, providing the tools and opportunities to help young adults with special needs to reach their full potential,” said Liam Burrell, Zurich Singapore CEO and head of commercial insurance Asia. “At Zurich, we believe education and pathways to employability are powerful drivers for ensuring equity and inclusion. We are pleased to have found an organisation committed to empowering individuals with resources so that they are able to thrive and reach their full potential.”
“We are delighted with the collaboration with Zurich Singapore and the Z Zurich Foundation as it represents a positive step towards breaking down barriers and promoting a society that embraces diversity and empowers individuals with special needs. It opens up more windows of opportunities for our trainees with special needs to contribute back to the society and lead independent and fulfilling lives,” APSN CEO Stanley Tang (pictured above, right) said.
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