Creating Job Opportunities for PMETs through Place-and-Train Programmes

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Government will consider creating more job opportunities for PMETs through place-and-train programmes that facilitate mid-career switches which may be particularly helpful to those affected by industry restructuring.

Our economy is restructuring towards one where growth is driven by innovation and skills. As businesses restructure, mature PMEs may be more vulnerable to being retrenched and face greater difficulties in securing their next jobs. We understand the challenges that they face. The Government has put in place various measures to help them reskill and find new jobs. One of these measures is the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP), which enables PMEs, including those who have been made redundant, to undergo skills conversion and take on new jobs in a different industry. More than 6,000 PMEs have benefited from the programme since its launch in 2007.

We are committed to doing more to further enhance employment and career opportunities for PMEs. As announced on 8 July 2015, the new Career Support Programme (CSP) will provide mature Singaporean PMEs greater opportunities to access mid-level and above jobs. Starting from 1 October 2015, employers who employ mature PMEs, who have been looking for jobs for at least six months, in mid-level jobs that pay at least $4,000, will be given wage support. The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will also collaborate with and provide incentives to private search and placement firms to help this group of PMEs access more job opportunities.

Both employers and Singaporean PMEs have important roles to play. Employers should tap on the wealth of experience of mature PMEs and consider them fairly for career opportunities. Singaporean PMEs need to be adaptable in the fast-changing economy and take ownership of their own career development, upskilling and upgrading to take on quality jobs and careers.