Debated in Parliament on 13 Apr 2015.
Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng askedthe Minister for Trade and Industry what is the difference between the existing SPRING-administered SME Talent Programme and the newly introduced SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Teo Ser Luck) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mdm Speaker, SkillsFuture is a national initiative to provide Singaporeans with the opportunities to develop their fullest potential, regardless of their starting points. The new SkillsFuture Earn & Learn Programme (ELP) and SPRING's existing SME Talent Programme (STP) are complementary programmes that aim to develop our human capital while, at the same time, address our companies' need for talent, thereby contributing to the larger goals of SkillsFuture.
The SkillsFuture ELP is a work-study programme that benefits fresh graduates from Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) and Polytechnics to take on jobs in both SMEs and non-SMEs. The programme aims to encourage ITE and Polytechnic graduates to enter industries which they are trained for, by providing them with opportunities to earn an income and deepen their skills through a mix of institution-based and work-based training. They will progress after the programme through clearly-defined career development pathways.
The STP was launched by SPRING in June 2013 to build a strong pipeline of local talent for our SMEs. SPRING works with key Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) to help SMEs reach out and recruit promising students from ITEs, Polytechnics and Universities. Participating SMEs can engage students through internship opportunities and study sponsorships. The students will work in the SMEs after their graduation. SPRING also
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provides assistance to SMEs participating in the STP to develop strong HR systems to ensure that they offer good careers for the students who join their companies.
The SkillsFuture ELP is being implemented in phases, starting with a few sectors. As the SkillsFuture ELP and STP have different but complementary aims, SPRING and WDA have been working closely to harmonise these two programmes. Over time, the STP will scale down and cease for sectors and job roles which have been covered by the SkillsFuture ELP.
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