Background
Representing a vast yet untapped talent pool, high-function youths with intellectual disability can be moulded into contributive members of the society.

With appropriate guidance and training, they can add value to the workforce, enhance their self-worth and ultimately, be financially independent without having to depend on welfare assistance.

Requiring minimal assistive devices and workplace adjustments, they pose little accommodation costs to employers, while presenting a practical alternative to foreign labour typically hired for less-skilled jobs. Their turnover is also lower since they view employment as a means to enrich their lives.

Despite such benefits, the onus of developing and sustaining their social value remains largely undertaken by welfare agencies, with social enterprises making their foray of late.

Being viable businesses that utilise entrepreneurial skills and revenue surpluses to drive philanthropic missions, such enterprises become effectual agents of social change by enhancing their recipients’ independence and integration via the creation of jobs.

One such example is the Happy Arts Enterprise Ltd (HAE).

Our training courses are conducted under two main subsidiaries - the Happy Arts Deli and Happy Arts Housekeeping.

Established in May 2005 and December 2006 respectively, the deli focuses on food & beverage services, baking and general cleaning (within the deli), whereas the housekeeping branch concentrates solely on area cleaning.

Providing trial commercial settings, both offer a conducive environment where trainees can acquire hands-on skills, professional work ethics and improve on their decorum.

In addition, the presence of an integrated work crew and public customers can help to catalyse their social integration process.

Our trainees are either referred from special education schools or walk-in applicants who wish to extend their vocational learning pathways.

Personal interviews are held by our trainers to determine their strengths, preferences and training suitability in order to recommend specialisation skills that can be attained by them with relative mastery.

Under our “Train & Place Programme”, they can develop specific skills set through on-the-job apprenticeship. Following an initial three-month probation, regular assessments are performed on a quarterly basis to gauge their level of competence for immediate job placement.

This allows the more adept ones to gain an early headstart, as the rest continue to undergo training for a maximum of 12 months.

In addition, our internship collaboration with the UMC ServiceMaster Pte Ltd also qualifies proficient housekeeping trainees for direct placements with the reputable integrated service provider.

View our training programmes

Food & Beverage Operations (Happy Arts Deli)
We serve a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, pastries and cakes through food and catering services. With a capacity crowd of 100, the deli is also marketed as a cosy yet exclusive venue for buffets, private receptions, celebratory occasions, corporate luncheons and events.