Mandai Rainforest Resort inks agreements with NTUC’s e2i, FDAWU to boost senior employment

From designing outfits for 1990s label TANGS Studio to hosting guests at KidZania and handling mail operations at SingPost, Mary Ho has worn many hats. At KidZania, she found her passion of serving people and set her sights on hospitality. But for years, the right opportunity never came.

That changed in 2024. When Mary heard that the new Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree was hiring, she jumped at the chance. Unsure if her old résumé would cut it, she turned to NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) for help. With a refreshed résumé and guidance from career coaches, she attended the resort’s mass recruitment drive and landed a seamstress role on the spot.

“I was impressed by e2i’s speed and efficiency. They were involved in every step of my hiring process, from arranging the interview at the mass recruitment drive to interview preparation, and ensuring that I was placed in a role that was suitable for me,” Mary shared.

Now 53, Mary was part of the resort’s pre-opening team in January this year and has already been promoted to Laundry Supervisor.

She is one of the senior workers who have benefited from Mandai Rainforest Resort’s inclusive hiring policy.

Thanks to inclusive hiring policies, 53-year-old Laundry Supervisor Mary Ho has progressed from seamstress to Laundry Supervisor at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree.

Building an inclusive workforce powered by seniors

The resort has formalised on 27 October 2025 partnerships with the Food, Drinks & Allied Workers’ Union (FDAWU) and NTUC’s e2i to advance senior employment and promote career longevity.

Under one of the partnership agreements, NTUC’s e2i will enhance the company’s inclusive recruitment efforts and outreach to a diverse group of jobseekers, including mature workers, persons with disabilities, women returnees, and ex-offenders.

NTUC’s e2i will curate activities like experiential job tours to give jobseekers insights into working in the hospitality sector.

Additionally, the company will create meaningful career pathways through the partnerships to help workers develop their skills and build sustainable careers.

“We are committed to building meaningful opportunities for senior workers and to play an active role in Singapore’s broader workforce strategy.

“As Banyan Group’s first property in Singapore, this initiative combines our world-class hospitality with community-focused employment solutions,” said the resort’s General Manager Glen Cook.

NTUC’s e2i Group Chief Executive Officer Caryn Lim said that the partnership also serves to highlight its shared commitment with the resort to strengthen the Singaporean Core through enabling workers to stay relevant in the fast-evolving hospitality sector.

The resort is also working with other partners, including the North East and North West Community Development Councils, SG Enable, Centre for Seniors, Bizlink and Trampolene, to pilot programmes to help seniors transition to new jobs and extend their employability.

More support for workforce enhancements

The resort will also work with FDAWU to form a Company Training Committee (CTC) to upskill its workforce.

A CTC is an initiative that involves company and union representatives who focus on planning and strategising training and upskilling initiatives to prepare workers for future needs while supporting business transformation.

“Through this CTC partnership, more than 200 workers, about 80 per cent of the resort’s workforce, will stand to benefit from job redesign and upskilling. We will also work with the resort’s management to transform the business.

“With such trust and collaboration, workers can continue delivering world-class experiences to Mandai Rainforest Resort’s guests,” said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, who witnessed the signing of both agreements.

Over 3,600 NTUC CTCs have been established to date across industries, with around 10,000 workers experiencing wage increases and career progression from various productivity projects.

FDAWU General Secretary Sankaradass S. Chami added that the union will work with the company’s management to focus on upskilling and job redesign, ensuring that every worker, especially seniors, can thrive in the competitive hospitality landscape.

Elaborating on the job redesign efforts, Mr Cook highlighted that workers, especially seniors, can consider taking on part-time micro jobs, where larger roles are divided into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Workforce Singapore will also implement further workforce improvements through initiatives, such as career and skills development, productivity support, and talent attraction and retention.

Workforce Singapore’s Trade and Lifestyle Division Director Kenneth Wong said that the Government’s support reinforces its commitment toward a tripartite collaboration in strengthening the local workforce.

When the resort celebrates its grand opening on 26 November 2025, Mary will be busy ensuring that the resort’s room linen needs, from bed fabrics to bathroom essentials, will meet guests’ expectations.

“Hospitality is my last calling. Over the next five to 10 years, I hope to attain the role of Executive Housekeeper,” she said.

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