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Majority of youths seek support for career planning and building career-related skills: Survey by KPMG, NYC, and IPRS
- Youths recognise the need for crucial soft skills to succeed in the future workforce
- At the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum, the 3P (public, private, people) sectors bring together their expertise to provide mentorship and uplift youths in realising their aspirations
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 Nov 2025 – At the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum, KPMG, the National Youth Council (NYC), and the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS) shared findings from a survey gathered from 1,000 youth respondents on their awareness and attitudes towards current affairs and personal growth.
The Forum is a milestone event under the Gen2050 programme, designed to spark critical conversations about global developments and their impact on youths’ lives and futures, exploring how young people perceive and respond to challenges in areas like the future of work and technological advancements. For more information about the Gen2050 programme, please refer to Annex A.
Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, Mr. Dinesh Vasu Dash, exchanged perspectives on how youths can lead the charge to thrive in an uncertain world during a panel dialogue with industry leaders. Beyond the dialogue, the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum also featured an interactive marketplace with gamified booths to immerse youths in decision-making scenarios, highlighting the complexities of global challenges and the importance of proactive, informed decision-making.
Youths’ aspirations and attitudes towards the future
The survey, conducted by Blackbox Research, found that the majority of youths are aware of and care about global economic developments. The economic uncertainty is a concern and youths said that they hoped to have greater support in career and financial planning.
Amongst key competencies needed to succeed in the workforce, youths surveyed identified communication and interpersonal skills (33 percent), adaptability and lifelong learning (32 percent), and analytical and critical thinking (31 percent) as the most valued competencies.
There is also a demand for more guidance, with 65 percent of youths* indicating that they require more support for career planning. Separately, 58 percent of youths* have also indicated that they need more help with financial planning. [*Within these groups, about 58% are working adults and about 42% are students. This broadly follows the overall sample distribution of the poll.]
Whole-of-Singapore effort to uplift youths and enable them to be changemakers
Half of the respondents recognised that the Government, educational institutions, employers, and the wider society and community do play important roles in supporting them.
The 3P sectors (public, private and people sectors) are helping youths realise their aspirations. The Gen2050 youth action programme by KPMG in Singapore, NYC, and IPRS is one such effort. The programme brings together expertise and support from the 3P sectors in the areas of youth engagement, industry perspectives and mentorship to provide youths with tools, platforms, and opportunities to transform their aspirations into real-world, measurable outcomes.
The Gen2050 youth action programme is part of the SG Youth Plan engagements, a year-long series of engagements to understand youths’ aspirations and concerns. The views and insights garnered from the engagements will directly inform a 5-year action plan on youth development, created by youths, for youths.
“Youths today are discerning in their pursuit of skills — not just chasing trends, but focusing on how these skills can be practically applied to create value in their professions,” said Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG. “The NYC, KPMG, and IPRS survey highlights that the next generation is deeply aware of the need for practical, impactful skills like applying AI to achieve a multiplier effect in the workplace. This underscores the responsibility of institutions and mentors to guide and empower youths, helping them navigate the complexities of value creation and equipping them for the future of work. With nearly 70 percent of KPMG in Singapore’s workforce comprising youths under 35, we are well-positioned to nurture young talent and enable them to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving world.”
“Platforms like Gen2050 are useful to connect youths with industry leaders and policymakers, to gain insights into emerging shifts that affect the future of work and the kind of skills and attributes required to stay relevant,” said David Chua, Chief Executive Officer, NYC.
Ross Gan, President, IPRS said: “It’s encouraging to see youth prioritising communications and interpersonal skills as key competencies needed to succeed. In a post-truth world of what’s trending on social media, where artificial intelligence is redesigning how businesses create value, the capacity to communicate with clarity, demonstrate empathy and engage authentically with stakeholders for positive impact has never been more relevant. Through our growing tertiary student chapter network and participation in mentoring programmes such as Gen2050, the IPRS enables industry practitioners to share their hard-earned wisdom with aspiring youth to help them succeed and thrive.”
Annex A
ABOUT THE GEN2050 YOUTH ACTION PROGRAMME
The Gen2050 Youth Action Programme, launched in June 2025 by KPMG in Singapore, NYC and IPRS, empowers youths to step up, speak out, and be in front, as they tackle pressing societal challenges and drive meaningful change. This tripartite collaboration brings together expertise from the public, private, and non-profit sectors to provide mentorship, industry insights, and strategic communication skills.
The programme features two distinct tracks to cater to different groups of youths. The first is a structured accelerated programme, which equips selected participants with critical skills such as social entrepreneurship, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and the ability to craft impactful, scalable solutions. Participants will receive mentorship from industry leaders and access to professional networks to refine and implement their ideas. Outstanding projects may even receive funding for implementation and scaling up opportunities.
The second track is a curated engagement series open to all youths, offering opportunities to learn from policymakers, industry professionals, and peers. These dialogues focus on critical societal issues such as AI, social sustainability, and equitable access to digital skills, fostering discussions that contribute to the SG Youth Plan—a five-year action plan reflecting the aspirations of young Singaporeans.
For more information about the Gen2050 Youth Action Programme, visit our website.
About the SG Youth Plan
SG60 is about Building Singapore Together, and how each of us can contribute to a Singapore that we will proudly call home. NYC and its partners are organising a year-long series of engagements for youths to connect with others who are just as passionate about making a difference and taking action to build our shared future. The engagements will culminate in an SG Youth Plan – a five-year action plan created by youths, for youths, and supported by all of us, so that we collectively do our part for Singapore and fellow Singaporeans.
Annex B
Gen2050 Youth Competencies Zone – Details of booths and activities
| Activity | Details |
|
Gen2050 – Step up. Speak out. Be in Front.
|
This zone embodies the key ethos and spirit of Gen2050 – “Step up. Speak out. Be in Front”. Youths are reminded that it starts with the individual voice or the individual initiative before anything meaningful can be inspired at a larger societal scale. |
| Portrait of the Future
|
Generative AI has become increasingly ubiquitous, shaping how we learn, create and connect. In today’s digital age, the real question is not whether youths know how to use advanced technologies, but whether they can harness these tools to reimagine possibilities and drive meaningful change.
In the spirit of cultivating a mindset of innovation and collaboration, youths were invited to co-create a dynamic digital wall using AI-generated visuals, empowering them to translate their aspirations into tangible expressions of the future they want to build. The outcome is an artistic showcase that sparks dialogue and inspires actions. Key presenter: Clara Tusin, 26, Senior Associate, Corporate Transformation, KPMG |
| Menu of Tomorrow
|
In a world where sustainable growth is a business imperative, it is no longer sufficient for enterprises to solely pursue profits at all costs. Long-term resilience is critical to thrive.
This booth uses the popular Singaporean dish of economic rice (cai fan 菜饭) to strengthen youths’ awareness of the key considerations involved in building sustainable, profitable and inclusive businesses. Youths will learn how personal consumption patterns intersect with economic factors such as supply chain disruptions, and broader trends in environmental and social sustainability. Key presenter: Beverly Ang, 24, Associate, ESG, KPMG |
|
The Future of Work
|
What competencies will youths need to succeed in a fast-changing job market? As advanced technologies rapidly transform the future of work, youths will need to look beyond qualifications and job titles to not only remain relevant but also thrive in the new digital age.
This zone will feature a game where youths will need to consider how market shocks affect current jobs and think critically about the skills they will require to adapt to labour market shifts. The zone will also feature a board game by Workforce Singapore, aimed at sparking conversations about essential competencies needed for the future of work. Key presenter: Cheryl Sng, 41, Senior Manager, Personal Tax & Global Mobility Services, KPMG |
Annex C
YOUTHS IN GEN2050
(MEDIA INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)
| Shermaine Kuah Sze Min
20 years old Year 2, Data Science and Economics, NUS |
Profile: Passionate about social sustainability and community empowerment through innovation.
Interests: Social innovation, leadership, scalable community solutions. Shermaine has been intensely committed to social sustainability and community empowerment through innovation. She sees technology as a tool to craft scalable community solutions and address pressing societal challenges. As a recent leader of the NUS CSC Project Grant-A-Wish (2024–2025), Shermaine orchestrated a massive effort, successfully mobilising 150 volunteers to bring joy and support to over 200 children. This project vividly showcases her extraordinary organisational skills and compassionate leadership in action. Her dedication to service began early, serving as the former President of River Valley High School’s Service Citizenship Society, and extends to her experience as a Volunteer Manager for elderly outreach and as a dedicated youth mentor. A recipient of the prestigious People’s Association Scholarship and multiple academic and service excellence awards, Shermaine’s journey exemplifies her proactive and innovative spirit, leveraging her computational background to make tangible, positive change. |
| Durai Manickam Nizanth
21 years old Year 1, Accountancy, SUSS |
Profile: Driven by a passion for equity and social sustainability, with strong leadership and civic engagement experience.
Interests: Social equity, leadership development, policy advocacy and community engagement. Nizanth is a young leader fuelled by an unwavering passion for social equity and sustainability. His extensive experience in leadership development, policy advocacy and community engagement underscores his commitment to fostering a more just and inclusive society. Nizanth has led and facilitated numerous impactful youth conferences and forums, including national-level dialogues and international discussions. He has engaged in high-level civic platforms and further honed his facilitation skills through youth-led programmes, even serving as a forum theatre performer to spark deeper discussion. His natural ability to guide meaningful conversations and rally diverse groups around critical issues was evident during his tenure as a Student Council leader during Junior College, where he consistently earned recognition through multiple leadership and character awards. In National Service as a manpower clerk, he took on an operational leadership role, overseeing course management and postings for nearly 400 transport operators while strengthening safety culture as the Unit Chief Safety Advocate. He also served as the Welfare and Communications in-charge at the 4th Singapore-Malaysia Youth Leaders Exchange Programme, and was one of four youth leaders selected by the National Youth Council to launch the SG60 Heart & Soul Exhibition with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He championed the Singapore Management University Mind the GAP Business Case Challenge and played integral roles in policy analysis and diversity workshops. He highlighted comprehensive approaches to tackling societal challenges, which helped position him as an influential and thoughtful voice ready to drive real change. |
| Mohammad Nurhan Bin Raihan
28 years old Master’s in Development Practice Program, Harvard University |
Profile: Global leadership and sustainability advocate with experience in policy, humanitarian work, and strategic partnerships.
Interests: Climate resilience, global policy, technological innovation for sustainability. Nurhan possesses a unique blend of high-level policy acumen, practical humanitarian experience, and technological foresight. As an ambassador for the Institute of Economics & Peace, his influence spans globally—being at the forefront of leading AI-driven sustainability innovations and directing policy frameworks impacting millions of ASEAN citizens. His commitment to humanity extends to the ground level, where he managed emergency aid distribution for a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees mission, raising over $6,000 for displaced Syrian families. Founder of Cool Cities Enterprise (CCSEA) and Country Director for the ASEAN Youth Organisation Singapore, Nurhan plays a pivotal role in driving climate resilience. He has secured over $200,000 in prestigious fellowships across institutions like Harvard and Cambridge. As a published policy researcher and representative at UN forums, he is also the recipient of Oxford University’s esteemed Global Leadership Challenge Title. |
Hashtag: #KPMG
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About KPMG
KPMG in Singapore is part of a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 142 countries and territories with more than 275,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.
For more detail about our structure, please visit kpmg.com/governance.
For more information, visit kpmg.com.sg
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/kpmg-singapore
About the National Youth Council
At NYC, we believe in a world where young people are respected and heard and have the ability to influence and make a difference in the world. Together with our partners, we develop future-ready youth who are committed to Singapore by instilling in them a heart for service, resilience and an enterprising spirit.
About the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore
Incepted in 1970, the Instituted of Public Relations (IPRS) is a society that champions the public relations & communications profession by encouraging progressive best practices, enabling peer networking and establishing accreditation pathways. Through mentorship, continuing education and training, we nurture emerging practitioners and leaders to succeed and thrive.
The Taiwan-born pet mobility brand opens its first SoHo pop-up inside Flying Solo, bringing its Nordic-designed pet stroller collection to the heart of New York City.
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 02 April 2026 – FikaGO, the design-led pet mobility brand recognized across Asia and Europe, has opened its first New York City pop-up store inside Flying Solo in SoHo. The opening marks a deliberate move for a pet brand into one of the world’s most competitive retail districts.
Since entering the online American market in 2025, FikaGO has built a growing community of pet parents who see their animals as a central part of everyday life. Positioned as lifestyle essentials rather than conventional pet gear, FikaGO’s range of products is designed for people who want the best for their fur babies.
“We’ve always believed that pet products should not only be functional, but also beautifully integrated into everyday life.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
SoHo was a considered choice: Flying Solo, with locations in New York and Paris, is known for championing independent design with a distinctly global sensibility.
The pop-up showcases FikaGO’s auto-folding Free To Go 2 in Sandy Beige, the brand’s bestselling product. All FikaGO’s products are manufactured using eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. This includes their large-capacity Agile 2 pet strollers to their airline-approved Truffle carriers and the heavy-duty Kross pet wagon.
“Launching in SoHo is a meaningful milestone for us; it allows customers to truly experience the quality, design, and intention behind every FikaGO product.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
As pet ownership rises globally, particularly among urban millennials and Gen Zs, demand for products that combine functionality, design, and lifestyle integration continues to grow. FikaGO was built for precisely this moment, and SoHo is precisely where that moment lives.
Visit the FikaGO pop-up at Flying Solo, 419 Broome Street, New York, or explore the full collection at https://us.fikago.com/.
Hashtag: #FikaGO #petmobilitybrand #petstroller #petcarrier #petwagon #petkennel #petbiketrailer
https://us.fikago.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FikaGO.US
https://www.instagram.com/fikago_us/
YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/@fikago5910
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About FikaGO
FikaGO is a pet mobility brand founded in Taiwan, dedicated to crafting products that blend functionality, comfort, and modern aesthetics. With a presence across Asia and growing reach in Europe and the U.S, FikaGO is redefining everyday experiences between pets and their humans.
Media OutReach
Lee Kum Kee Celebrates Culinary Excellence at the Historic Hong Kong Debut of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
From 23-25 March, Lee Kum Kee brought together top chefs, diverse cultures and industry communities through a range of thoughtfully curated experiences, bringing authentic Asian flavours to the global stage. As well as reaffirming the brand’s Asian roots and international perspective, its involvement reflected an enduring commitment to preserving culinary heritage and driving gastronomic innovation.
“Asian Flavour Duet“: A Culinary Journey Through Heritage and Innovation
Helping to build momentums for this year’s awards, Lee Kum Kee collaborated with Vicky Cheng, the acclaimed Executive Chef and owner of WING, to co-create the “Asian Flavour Duet”, a Hong Kong-style late-night supper party on 24 March. Hosted at two Hong Kong culinary landmarks, the experience unfolded in two chapters – “Paying Tribute to Heritage” and “Innovative Fusion” – and invited guests to explore the limitless possibilities of Asian flavour.
The evening began at the century-old Lin Heung Lau teahouse, a space filled with nostalgia and memories for generations of Hong Kongers. Chef Vicky reinterpreted classic Hong Kong late-night dishes using signature Lee Kum Kee sauces, while guests were immersed in the warmth of the historic venue.
The celebration then moved to Medora, Chef Vicky’s Western dining space, where an “Innovative Fusion” was revealed. He showcased his modern culinary philosophy by incorporating Lee Kum Kee sauces with contemporary techniques to create bold, unexpected dishes. Guests also enjoyed specially crafted cocktails infused with Lee Kum Kee sauces, alongside a delightful yet refined sauce-inspired gelato, demonstrating a harmonious interweaving of savoury, umami, sweetness and spice.
The multisensory journey seamlessly blended tradition with innovation, exploring the future of cuisine while highlighting Lee Kum Kee’s role as a global gateway to Asian culinary culture.
At the event, Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee, commented, “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate Hong Kong’s late‑night food culture with Chef Vicky and the global culinary community. From the legacy of Lin Heung Lau to the forward‑looking spirit of Medora, we are proud to be part of the creative journey and help showcase the depth of Asian flavours on the world stage.”
Celebrating a Gastronomic Brilliance with the Highest Climber Award Sponsored by Lee Kum Kee
During the awards ceremony on 25 March, Lee Kum Kee’s booth showcased a range of the brand’s acclaimed classic sauces and innovative products. Guests sampled specially crafted bites featuring Lee Kum Kee sauces, engaging directly with the flavours and techniques that have made the brand a trusted partner in both home and professional kitchens worldwide.
As part of the evening’s celebration of the region’s most exceptional culinary talents, the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee was presented to Lamdre in Beijing by Chef Park from Atomix (No.1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025). Lambre was applauded for its pioneering plant-based dining space that promotes healthy, sustainable living while honouring Chinese biodiversity in its menus.
In addition, WING, led by Chef Vicky, achieved an impressive second place in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant had also previously ranked No. 11 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, underscoring its continued international acclaim.
Building the Future Together: Deepening Global Partnerships
With the success of this prestigious awards ceremony in Hong Kong, China, Lee Kum Kee looks forward to deepening its collaboration with leading talents in the global culinary community. By continuing to champion Asian flavours and foster meaningful dialogue and exchange, the brand will continue to bring the spirit of Asian cuisine to kitchens and dining tables around the world.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
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About Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
About Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
Launched in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to showcase the outstanding achievements and diverse culinary landscape of the region. The list is determined by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of over 350 culinary experts from across Asia who vote independently based on their specialised knowledge of the local dining scene. The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants series includes the awards ceremony and list announcement, creating a premier networking platform for restaurateurs, media, seasoned travelers and culinary connoisseurs to celebrate the exceptional service, passion and talent in the dining industry.
- Herbert Vongpusanachai takes on the role of Senior Vice President for Commercial for the region, effective April 1, 2026
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 April 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has appointed Herbert Vongpusanachai as Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific, effective April 1, 2026. Herbert, who currently serves as Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand & Indochina, will be based in Singapore for his new role.
Herbert brings more than two decades of leadership experience within DHL Express, having successfully helmed multiple key markets across the region. He first joined the company in 2003 as Managing Director for Thailand & Indochina, later taking on leadership of Singapore in 2008, followed by Hong Kong & Macau in 2016. Since returning to lead Thailand & Indochina in 2020, he has driven sustained year‑on‑year profitable growth, transforming the cluster into one of the region’s key engines of expansion.
“Herbert has an exceptional track record of delivering strong business results while nurturing highly engaged teams across diverse markets. His deep understanding of our customers, collaborative leadership style, and ability to unearth opportunities in complex environments make him the ideal leader to drive our commercial agenda for Asia Pacific. I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to accelerate sustainable growth across the region,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
In his new regional role, Herbert will shape and accelerate the commercial strategy for DHL Express across Asia Pacific by working with other functions to assess new sectors, routes and trade lanes with high potential for growth. He will focus on deepening customer engagement and supporting their expansion, while driving sustainable volume growth and advancing the adoption of new technologies to enhance commercial execution across markets. With his extensive country expertise and people‑first leadership style, Herbert is well‑positioned to support both regional and country teams in raising commercial performance to new levels.
“Asia Pacific remains an important anchor in global trade as seen in the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report, and this indicates the unwavering role of logistics to facilitate the flow of goods. With the newly introduced Heavyweight Express solution, which enables customers to ship heavyweight shipments with speed, certainty and reliability, I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to contribute to shaping the next chapter of DHL Express’s commercial success,” said Herbert Vongpusanachai, Senior Vice President – Commercial for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
The latest DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that the region remains a major anchor of global commerce, with multiple economies rising in global connectedness rankings and Southeast Asia firmly establishing itself as a fast‑growing trade corridor. This also mirrors one of DHL Group’s strategies to better support 20 markets globally to accelerate growth; eight of them rest in Asia Pacific – underscoring the region’s critical role in DHL’s global network. As trade flows diversify and intra‑Asia integration deepens, this leadership appointment further strengthens DHL Express’s position in Asia Pacific.
Hashtag: #DHL
https://group.dhl.com/en.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dhlexpress/
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DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
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