Left: Vicky Huang is currently a Manager at the Housing Schemes Department (HSD) with CPF Board. She is a graduate from NUS Business School, with a specialisation in Finance and Marketing.
Right: Brandon Nui is currently a Manager at the Self-Employed Collections Department with CPF Board. He graduated from NUS with a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a specialisation in Finance.
CPF Board plays a pivotal role in Singapore’s social security system, helping citizens and permanent residents save for retirement, healthcare, housing, and more. With its diverse functions that cater to the needs of over four million members, the organisation offers abundant career and training opportunities for those seeking meaningful and diverse career pathways.
We spoke with Brandon Nui and Vicky Huang, who have found purpose and growth at CPF Board. They share insights into their roles and offer a glimpse at the vast opportunities within the Board.
What inspired you to pursue a career within CPF Board?
Vicky: I believe in finding purpose and satisfaction through work that makes a real difference. Joining the Management Associate Program (MAP) at CPF Board has provided me with invaluable development opportunities and the chance to work on impactful projects designed to improve the lives of our fellow CPF members.
Brandon: I was motivated to pursue a career within CPF Board because of its crucial role in safeguarding the financial well-being of Singaporeans. The opportunity to contribute to a system that directly impacts the lives of individuals and families, ensuring their retirement and housing adequacy, was a compelling factor for me.
That’s fantastic to hear! Could you dive deeper into your respective roles?
Vicky: As a manager in the Housing Schemes Department, my role focuses on streamlining the homeownership process for Singaporeans, ensuring they have seamless interactions with the Board as they reach this significant milestone in life.
My typical day begins with a cup of coffee before diving into discussions about various projects aimed at enhancing our internal operations, reducing turnaround times and improving the overall experience for CPF members. It’s all about finding ways to make our processes more efficient and convenient.
Brandon: In my current role as a Management Associate at the Platform Workers Project Office (PWPO) within CPF Board, I oversee and manage the website content for both platform workers and platform operators to empower personal planning and decision-making.
I also create educational materials and tools to help platform workers such as delivery workers, private-hire car drivers and taxi drivers to better understand their entitlements and make better decisions. This includes availing tools for them to calculate their CPF contributions accurately, as well as collaborating with our media and publicity team to curate accurate and relevant content for our audience.
Additionally, I have the opportunity to drive real change by engaging with platform operators such as Grab and Foodpanda, gathering valuable ground feedback, and ensuring they are taken into account during implementation of relevant initiatives.
Vicky Huang
Vicky, could you share a memorable project you’ve worked on at CPF Board?
One recent example was with an internal taskforce which sought to streamline processes and eliminate potential disruptions to CPF members’ monthly mortgage instalments. To address this, we reviewed CPF Board’s existing arrangements with financial institutions to identify areas of improvement. Through close collaboration with the banks, we were able to revamp and enhance backend processes, ensuring more timely payments and rectifying potential roadblocks. Ultimately, this allowed members to benefit from less disruptions in monthly instalment payments, resulting in a more convenient and hassle-free home ownership process.
Brandon, we’d love to hear more about the CPF contribution calculators you’ve worked on for platform workers.
When developing the CPF contribution calculators for platform workers, we think from the users’ perspective, ensuring that the calculator is intuitive, user-friendly, and presents all essential information clearly.
These tools empower platform workers to plan better by providing them with a clear understanding of their total CPF contributions. For instance, they are able to see the distribution between platform worker and platform operator shares of the CPF contribution amount, as well as the allocation into the three CPF accounts-Ordinary, MediSave, and Retirement. This transparency benefits both workers and operators by providing clarity upfront on the CPF contributions, enabling more informed financial planning.
Brandon Nui
What aspects of your work do you find most rewarding?
Vicky: I enjoy the fact that my projects have a direct impact on the betterment of our fellow CPF members’ lives. I feel a strong sense of purpose knowing that the improvements we implement can enhance their experience and better address their needs, which are constantly evolving.
Brandon: The most rewarding aspect of my job is its positive impact on others. Witnessing the positive effects of enabling platform workers to contribute to higher CPF contributions, ultimately empowering this vulnerable group to achieve retirement and housing adequacy is truly fulfilling.
Vicky, could you tell us more about the work culture at CPF Board?
CPF Board has an inclusive and friendly work environment where people are always willing to lend a hand or offer guidance. From the beginning of my journey here, the structured onboarding programme and assigned buddy enabled me to transition seamlessly from my first job and forge meaningful connections. This collaborative and supportive environment also fosters open communication and teamwork, making it easier to share ideas and work towards common goals.
Through structured rotations, we are exposed to the various sectors of the Board, allowing us to develop a more holistic view of how the Board operates. These rotations offer the opportunity to work closely with different functions, allowing us to better understand how each department contributes to CPF Board’s overall mission and goals.
Lastly, what advice would you give to those aspiring to work at CPF Board?
Vicky: To fresh graduates aspiring to join CPF Board, I encourage you to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability, as CPF Board is unique in offering a diverse range of roles and responsibilities across many different functions. Being open to exploring various departments through internal rotations or cross-departmental projects can help you grow your professional skills and accelerate your career. You will gain exposure to nationwide projects and connect with other passionate individuals to improve the everyday lives of Singaporeans.
Brandon: My advice would be to stay curious, proactive, and adaptable. Embrace opportunities to learn and understand the multifaceted nature of CPFB’s work. Additionally, cultivate a strong sense of empathy and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of Singaporeans. Lastly, be open to collaboration and continuous improvement, as these qualities are highly valued in contributing to the meaningful work at CPFB.
Interested to join #TeamCPF? Check out the job opportunities at
www.cpf.gov.sg/careers.
