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Writer's pictureAREU LM

A progressive journey: How Mount Faber Leisure Group trains and retains talent

Updated: Nov 4



If you recently visited Mount Faber Peak, you might have noticed an adorable two-metre-tall Hello Kitty welcoming you at the entrance.

 

This is part of Mount Faber Leisure Group’s (MFLG) latest collaboration with Hello Kitty, commemorating the 50th anniversary of both the Singapore Cable Car and the beloved Sanrio character. Visitors will also have the opportunity to ride in themed cable car cabins in colourful Hello Kitty designs.MFLG’s latest partnership with Hello Kitty certainly reflects its DNA of innovation – one that has kept tourists and visitors coming back for decades. But peek behind the scenes and you’ll find that this innovative spirit extends beyond the attractions.

 

A pioneer of progressive workplace practices, MFLG is constantly looking out for new opportunities to grow and develop its talent. To do this, it works closely with the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union (AREU) to care for the welfare and work prospects of MFLG staff. We caught up with two MFLG staff members, Zakkiyah Zainal and Annis Chew, who have also stepped up to volunteer as branch officials with AREU. Here, they tell us how they have grown in their roles through the company and union’s combined efforts.


Progressive training and development of staff


Zakkiyah is currently a bar supervisor at Arbora @ Mount Faber Peak, an award-winning restaurant that offers a unique hilltop garden dining experience. She started at MFLG as a senior waitress over a decade ago, before transitioning from restaurant service to bar service in 2020. 

 

“In the F&B department, we have many opportunities to go for food and hygiene courses, service management, and excellent service-related courses,” she shares.Right now, she is honing her knowledge of wine with an ongoing wine training course. Conducted by a wine sommelier, this course equips her with the essentials of wine flavour profiles and types. This enables her to provide Arbora’s customers with better recommendations on wine choices.



Like Zakkiyah, Annis praises MFLG’s efforts to upskill its talent. As a retail operations executive, she is encouraged to attend courses that help her progress in her role.“The company has been proactive and strongly encourages us to upgrade ourselves,” she explains. “Every year, we have to attend a certain number of courses, be it first-aid training, customer service training, Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) training, or IT training.”

 

As technologies and tools evolve rapidly, MFLG ensures that its talent will not get left behind.

 

“In the current financial year, Mr Buhdy Bok, Managing Director, Mount Faber Leisure Group, has said that we need to go through a reinvention, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence tools,” she shares. “A number of the office staff have been going through the Microsoft Copilot training, which will allow us to be more productive and effective in our work.”

 

MFLG’s journey to enhance employees’ proficiency in AI and digital literacy has been made easier with union support. In September last year, MFLG connected with NTUC Training and Transformation to develop a comprehensive training programme. With support from AREU, the company is currently developing a customised training roadmap for the technological upskilling of their talent.


Tiding through the pandemic


The COVID-19 lockdown hit many businesses in Singapore hard – especially those in the attractions sector. Despite the strain, MFLG remained committed to paying their employees in full throughout the pandemic, even providing salary adjustments and giving out bonuses.

 

Zakkiyah recalls that in the few months leading to the pandemic lockdown, MFLG gave the staff reassurance. “They assured us that even if things get difficult and business is affected, we would still get our full basic salaries,” she says.

 

As an AREU branch official, Zakkiyah was a key liaison between the union and her company. She shares that AREU supported MFLG employees through these difficult times by negotiating with the HR department about their staff bonuses and incentives. Due to lockdown restrictions, the staff couldn’t work at the restaurants as per normal for several months. Instead, Zakkiyah and her department colleagues attended online training sessions, including PDPA and cybersecurity-related courses.

 

Annis also recounts that MFLG took steps to retain and retrain talent as much as possible throughout the challenges of the pandemic.“The company redesigned certain roles and cross-deployed staff into other departments,” she explained. “For example, some retail staff were redeployed to be attraction hosts – they are the staff who guide guests taking the cable car.”



Annis emphasises that MFLG has consistently worked hard to redesign roles so that all employees are always being retained and retrained, ensuring no one is left out as the company progresses.


Working behind the scenes for the benefit of workers


MFLG’s progressive approach to talent retention has been possible through its close collaboration with AREU. By working hand in hand with the union, MFLG has been able to find innovative solutions that benefit employees’ welfare while driving growth for the company.

 

“MFLG's partnership with AREU is founded on constructive dialogue, conflict resolution, and joint problem-solving,” affirms Mr Buhdy Bok, Managing Director, MFLG.

 

“This approach, coupled with a dedication to fair treatment, not only fosters a collaborative environment but also enables us to find solutions that benefit both our business and our employees. Overall, this partnership exemplifies collaboration in achieving shared goals and has proven valuable for both employer and workers.”

 

As a Union Leader, Zakkiyah has worked hard behind the scenes to bring about such progressive practices – and she remains determined in her mission to improve employees’ wellbeing.  “Not many staff on the ground actually know what we’ve done, but it doesn’t matter to me whether we get credit or not,” she shares. “Our main role is to protect MFLG employees, and over the years, we’ve put in the effort to take care of the staff.”

 

MFLG was accorded the Plaque of Commendation at May Day Awards this year for the dedication made in bettering wages, welfare, and work progression of our workers.

 

 

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