Helping Workers Transit from COVID-19-related Jobs to Longer Term Work

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the number of jobs that are related to the fight against COVID-19; and (b) what are the plans to help these workers transit into longer term jobs when these positions are no longer needed.

The SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package was introduced last year to support local jobseekers affected by COVID-19. As at end-February, there were nearly 93,000 placements into jobs and skills opportunities. Of this, about 12,000 placements involved short-term jobs related to the fight against COVID-19, such as swabbing or quarantine operations, implementing safe management measures, and providing patient services.

Among those placed into short-term COVID-19 job roles, more than one in four are persons temporarily redeployed as part of the National Jobs Council’s effort to support workers in hard-hit sectors. For example, flight attendants from Singapore Airlines have been deployed as care ambassadors in hospitals, where they provide administrative support, assist and engage patients, and check on their well-being. These workers remain employees of their parent companies, in sectors such as aviation and hospitality where demand remains low. We expect that they will return to their parent companies subsequently when demand recovers, and their skills and experience are again needed.

For the other workers in temporary positions, we are committed to helping them find permanent jobs after they complete their stints. To shore up local hiring demand, we have recently extended and enhanced the Jobs Growth Incentive. Our career conversion programmes provide substantial support to help jobseekers who are prepared to reskill for new careers. This year, we have catered capacity for 10,000 places in our career conversion programmes. WSG will also introduce new programmes for in-demand jobs in growing sectors such as Manufacturing, Information Communications & Technology and Professional Services.

Those who require assistance with their job search can approach WSG and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute, including through the 24 SGUnited Jobs and Skills Centres across the country. The Ministry of Manpower and WSG have also appointed Adecco Personnel Pte Ltd, an employment agency with over 64 years of global experience in employment facilitation, as a SGUnited Jobs and Skills Placement Partner. This provides another placement support channel for mature or long-term unemployed jobseekers, and persons with disabilities.