Lifelong Learner: Ms Kelly Ooi Lay Kheng

The demand for healthcare and social services is expected to increase with the prevailing ageing population issue in Singapore. To help seniors age well and live fulfilling lives, NTUC LearningHub (LHUB) rolled out a series of new Eldercare courses to equip learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to help meet these challenges for seniors. We met up with Ms Kelly Ooi, who has attained her full Eldercare qualifications with us to share her learning journey.

Turning 57 this year, Kelly was born in Penang and had worked in Singapore for 27 years. She started out as a junior staff 30 years ago and progressed in her career in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry.

“I was interested in palliative care since young, but my Dad objected to the idea of me working in this industry. My grandmother had a stroke and I became her caregiver until she passed away. This makes me want to join the industry even more to help those who are in need. However, I stayed in F&B in order not to displease my Dad. Nonetheless, my passion for palliative care did not reduce although I was in a different industry,” shared Kelly.

Kelly went on to do volunteering work, helping elderly at homes when needed. Currently, she is also doing part-time security and palliative care while taking courses to upgrade herself. “I wanted to take up more courses to upskill myself and open myself to more job opportunities. I enjoyed learning and besides the eldercare courses, I also took up the John Maxwell Leadership, Security and Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) courses with LHUB.”

Out of the different courses she attended, Kelly enjoyed the eldercare courses the most. She shared that the trainer, Sandra explained the concepts thoroughly and the practical role plays helped her greatly during the learning process. She was able to apply what she learned into use during her volunteering work, and at the same time, made a group of wonderful friends through her learning journey.

“Learning is definitely not easy, but as long as you have the determination to make it happen, it will. Learn as much as you can and enjoy it,” added Kelly. Moving forward, she hopes to go for courses in Infocomm Technology (IT) to upgrade her IT skills, and to find a career in her area of interest in time to come -palliative care – so as to help the needy whenever the need arises.

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