First-of-its-kind corporate donation funds programmes to ease the transition into the workforce and lessen the strain on caregivers

SINGAPORE, 25 MARCH 2025 – Youths with autism in Singapore are gaining essential life and vocational skills through structured training, enabling them to transition into long-term supported employment. SP Group (SP) announced today a S$700,000 donation to the St. Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC), presented through Community Chest Singapore. The event was officiated by Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health.

SP is pioneering this initiative by funding a multi-pronged vocational training programme for youths with moderate autism, supporting over 400 youths and their caregivers. This also helps to address the ‘post-18 cliff’, where young adults with autism struggle to find employment or meaningful engagement after completing their formal education at the age of 18 years.

“As we deepen our support for children and youth from lower-income backgrounds, we recognise the growing needs in the special education sector that require targeted intervention. In our partnership with St. Andrew’s Autism Centre and Community Chest, our focus is on helping youth with autism and their caregivers to be self-sustaining and improve quality of life,” said Group CEO of SP Group, Mr Stanley Huang.

By funding specialised vocational training, programmes for supported employment and daily living expenses, SP and SAAC aim to provide sustainable and scalable solutions to address existing societal gaps.

One such programme is the “Dignity of Work”, SAAC’s pilot programme aimed at providing structured employment pathways for individuals with autism. The first cohort of 12 trainees with level 2 autism^[1] will receive a full-year sponsorship, preparing them for employment in the food and beverage (F&B) industry. These individuals, who require substantial daily support, will be trained in a structured, supportive setting that caters to their unique learning needs.

In addition, the funding has facilitated the upgrading of SAAC’s three kitchen spaces at its Siglap campus that will be used for Dignity of Work. By enhancing these autism-friendly vocational training facilities, it provides a conducive environment for SAAC students and adult clients to receive vocational and life skills classes with the primary aim of developing work skills for them with the potential for supported employment roles in the F&B sector. The expanded kitchen capacity allows SAAC to train more cohorts of youths in baking and food preparation in the coming years.

Izhan, aged 19, who graduated from St. Andrew’s Autism School last year, received vocational training in baking. Currently awaiting placement for a long-term programme, his mother, Mdm Rossiana, shared, “Izhan has benefited from the baking training and life skills classes he attended while at school. He is now more familiar with working in a kitchen and we have a shared interest in baking. Knowing that supported employment may be an option for him gives me peace of mind, as it would allow me to focus on other priorities at home and at work. My greatest hope is for Izhan to participate in a meaningful activity that he enjoys and gives him purpose – something he can look forward to each day and brings him happiness.”

SP’s support will also provide financial assistance to lower-income caregivers, whose children are in SAAC’s residential care programme through the St. Andrew’s Autism Home Accessibility Fund. Their children will receive therapy, training, 24/7 care and programmes that help them develop independence and improve their overall well-being. The uninterrupted support relieves caregivers of stress, prevents burnout, and allows them to take care of more critical priorities such as seeking their own employment.

Mr Bernard Chew, CEO at SAAC, added: “SP Group’s generous support will be transformative for our students and clients, enabling them to build work skills in a structured and autism-friendly environment. Persons with autism^[2], especially those on the moderate to severe end of the spectrum, typically face challenges when they transition from childhood to adulthood. We want to address this ‘post-18 cliff’ through facilitating more supported employment opportunities, so that they can experience dignity of work, and live meaningful lives. Being in supported employment not only allows these persons with autism to give back to society, but also eases the caregiving burdens of families and maximises caregivers’ economic contribution to the nation. They can take comfort knowing that their loved ones have the necessary skills to be active contributors in society.”

SP has been empowering communities in Singapore, with a focus on supporting vulnerable seniors, children and youths. The SP Heartware Fund, established in 2005 in partnership with Community Chest, has raised more than $30 million.

^[1] Individuals with level 2 autism require substantial support in their daily activities. Source: Autism Partnership

^[2] Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects over 1 in 100 children in Singapore, according to the Ministry of Health. Every year, at least 400 cases are diagnosed in Singapore, many of whom require specialised education and long-term support.