KPMG Inclusive Employment Initiative

KPMG Impact and Inclusion works with individuals from the deaf community and special needs groups with the long-term aim of developing their talents and skills in creating high-quality corporate gifts independently. We sponsor their participation in hands-on classes where they learn different art forms, such as glass art, leather crafting and silk screen printing from various artists. Once they acquire the skills, we commission their creations as limited edition gifts for clients and employees. If you would like to commission a gift, please browse Personalised Love’s catalogue.

In addition to technical skills in craft-making, our beneficiaries are also taught entrepreneurial skills where they learn how to create a range of products or facilitate a workshop. They also pick up soft skills, such as building confidence through public interaction, and communicating with those who do not know the sign language.

KPMG staff members contribute to their learning journey by conducting workshops to impart job skills such as basic computing, social media marketing tips and bookkeeping with laptops donated to them by KPMG.

Since its inception, KPMG Impact and Inclusion has helped open new doors for 29 beneficiaries from Grace Orchard School, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Federation and SPD. 

The recent skills-training programme in 2021 equipped the beneficiaries with design-based skills using software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The beneficiaries also developed a new product line for Personalised Love featuring vegan leather-based products with hand-drawn fabric lining.

In celebration of our 80th Anniversary and in support of PLove, we commissioned the beneficiaries to create a custom-drawn fabric design that was crafted in our laptop sleeves for the whole firm. The upgrade of skills has increased corporate gifting opportunities with organisations.

Caroline is a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Federation (Singapore) and a beneficiary of KPMG Impact and Inclusion. Diagnosed deaf at the age of 4, disability does not defeat Caroline's determination in life. She takes on multiple jobs to support her family and is also adept at sewing. The KPMG Inclusive Employment Program helps to supplement her income for her daughter's education and secure their future. Caroline dreams of being a fashion designer one day, and it is our hope that through the practice of the art, her designer instincts will be honed for future opportunities in fashion design.

Kok Wah is a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Federation (Singapore) and a beneficiary of KPMG Impact and Inclusion. Despite being deaf since the age of 5 after a high fever, optimism is a constant for Kok Wah. He juggles part-time jobs, video editing projects, and loves to read in his spare time. The KPMG Inclusive Employment Program helps to supplement his daily needs and paves the way for him to realize his dreams.

Ani is a member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Federation (Singapore) and a beneficiary of KPMG Impact and Inclusion. Born deaf, the lively Ani never lets deafness hamper her ambition to be an active volunteer amongst the hearing community. Together with her friends, she founded an organisation for the deaf in 1998 and participated in art performances. Through the KPMG Impact and Inclusion initiative, Ani has shone; she has created numberous new designs and has enhanced her craftsmanship. This has opened up various job opportunities for her as an artist.

Whether the subject is food or flowers, photography is a hobby Kelly enjoys whenever she goes around Singapore or when she travels. As a beneficiary of KPMG Impact and Inclusion since 2019, she has picked up crafting skills like embossing, candle-making, and paper quilling which she is particularly proud of. Most importantly, the programme has empowered her to earn an income through craft-making. Kelly shares that the programme makes her feel included and encourages her to believe.

Gracie, who is born deaf, is a beneficiary of KPMG Inclusive Employment Initiative. She enjoys learning new things, trying new foods and exploring new cultures. Encouraged by Kelly, Gracie joined the programme in 2019 and has since started her own product series named "ecofreshdesign“ that focuses on sustainability and upcycling of materials. You can check out her profile at @ecofreshdesign on Instagram.