This programme is in support of Mentoring SG, an initiative under Forward SG, which supports youth development and prepares young people to manage  school-to work transitions

TikTok today announced the rollout of the inaugural TikTok x Halogen Mentoring Programme at a launch event attended by Halogen Foundation (Singapore), local school partners and graced by Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry. Commencing in January 2024, the programme seeks to support students from tertiary institutes such as Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic in their journey of growth, in a move to champion youth empowerment and to nurture future generations.

Leveraging the ELEMENTS programme designed by Halogen Foundation (Singapore), 100 TikTok employees will develop a 1-on-1 mentoring relationship with 100 students from participating tertiary institutions to guide them on a wide range of topics such as Personal Discovery, Career Navigation, Skill Set Development, and Early Career Mastery. As part of this structured mentoring programme, TikTok will also curate special workshops on interview and resume writing skills, and conduct sessions for mentors to share insights into the different functions and aspects of working in a tech company. The first cohort of 50 employee-student pairs will begin from January 2024 for 6 months, with the second cohort to commence in June. 

"We are committed to guiding the next generation of exceptional leaders through our curated programmes. As we embark on this purpose, we are proud to partner with esteemed institutions, including TikTok. This partnership represents our dedication to providing valuable experiences and insights to prepare young people for their next phase of life, equipping them with the values and skill sets to become the future leaders of tomorrow," said Ms. Ivy Tse, Chief Executive Officer at Halogen Foundation (Singapore).



Cultivating a stronger mentorship ecosystem for youth to thrive

The launch event kickstarted the mentorship programme with a career coaching segment, where students interacted with TikTok employees to initiate their career discovery process. A key highlight of the event included a panel discussion on the topic of mentorship and professional development, participated by Mr. Aaron Neo, Head of Data Science - Monetisation Integrity at TikTok APAC, and Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The panel discussion emphasised the importance and benefits of having a mentor, provided guidance on managing triumphs and challenges in one's career journey, and advice for mentees on ways to cultivate stronger relationships with their mentors.

Empowering and developing the next generation of talent

Giving back to the community and investing in the local workforce and talent pipeline is a key priority for TikTok in Singapore. Commenting on TikTok's commitment in this field, Teresa Tan, Director of Public Policy, TikTok Singapore said "TikTok recognises the significance of mentorship for students who are navigating life and career transitions. We are committed to supporting the Mentoring SG movement by leveraging the strength and diversity of our talent pool to provide guidance and support local youth. Through this mentoring programme in partnership with Halogen Foundation (Singapore), we hope that mentor-mentee relationships will help to foster meaningful connections, empowering these youths to reach their fullest potential."

This partnership is part of TikTok's wider commitment to providing development opportunities for local youth, in addition to other initiatives such as the 'TikTok Tech Immersion' programme, as well as comprehensive campus programmes and recruitment efforts.

###

About Halogen

Halogen is a not-for-profit Institution of a Public Character (IPC) charity that seeks to support youths from all walks of life to realise their fullest potential. Halogen believes in the inherent potential every young person has to bring positive change to their communities. We provide young people with development, mentorship and incubation opportunities and focus on building strong foundations so that they can lead themselves, lead others and lead change. We bring together partners and resources to support young people in their growth journey, and leverage on measurement tools to track and deepen impact. Through our work, Halogen seeks to empower future-ready young individuals with the right character, mindsets and soft skills to realise a better world for us all.

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.