Debated in Parliament on 11 Jul 2018.
Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what has been the utilisation of the Adapt and Grow suite of programmes; (b) whether the number of professional conversion programmes and sectors involved will be further increased progressively so as to help more workers; and (c) whether the Career Support Programme has been successful in reaching out to older professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs).
In 2017, more than 25,000 locals found jobs through Adapt and Grow programmes and services, as compared to about 21,000 in 2016.
The Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore have ramped up on the number of Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) over the last two years to help mid-career PMETs reskill for new jobs or careers with good opportunities for progression. There are currently over 100 PCPs in about 30 sectors, which is approximately twice the number of PCPs a year ago. New PCPs for internal auditors, financial forensic professionals and consultants have been launched this year. We will continue to monitor demand, expand programme capacity and introduce new PCPs where appropriate, to provide more opportunities for mid-career jobseekers.
In 2017, the Career Support Programme (CSP) was enhanced to provide higher salary support to employers who hire older PMETs who have been unemployed for at least 12 months. Over 1,100 PMETs were placed through CSP in 2017. Of these, more than 500 (46%) were aged 50 and above, almost three times higher than in 2016. We will press on with efforts to raise awareness of CSP among employers and older PMETs.
PAPERCUTS