Data on Individuals Assisted by SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme Since Launch

Ms Elysa Chen asked the Minister for Manpower how many individuals have received assistance under the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme since its launch in April 2025 given the projection that it will benefit around 60,000 jobseekers annually.

Mr Edward Chia asked whether the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme will be extended to workers engaged on contracts for service with non-renewals. In a contract for service, a self-employed person or a freelancer is engaged for a fee to carry out an assignment or project. The independent contractor can decide whether to accept the contract and there is no guarantee of renewals. Therefore, we do not cover them under the JS scheme, which is meant for involuntarily unemployed jobseekers.

Ms Elysa Chen and Dr Wan Rizal asked about the individuals who have received assistance under the JS scheme since its launch in April 2025. As of 31 August 2025, Workforce Singapore (WSG) had received over 7,200 applications, of which almost 2,900, or 40%, were approved and slightly more than 4,300, or 60%, were rejected. The majority of successful and unsuccessful applicants both fell within the same age range of 26-40.

The top three reasons for unsuccessful applications were that the applicant was not assessed to be involuntarily unemployed; the applicant's past average monthly income exceeded the income threshold of $5,000 per month; and the applicant had not worked at least six months in the past 12 months.

We have held the line in these cases, as the JS scheme is meant to support those made unemployed involuntarily due to reasons, such as retrenchment, cessation of business, dismissal or termination due to illness, injury or accident, rather than those who have chosen to leave. Where there is ambiguity in the reason for a worker becoming unemployed, WSG actively reaches out to employers to conduct verification checks. The income threshold of $5,000 per month exists to focus our support on lower- to middle-income jobseekers who are more likely to face financial pressure. The requirement of having worked six months in the past year is to target workers who faced recent unemployment shocks and help them bounce back well, as opposed to those who have already been outside the workforce for some time and may need other forms of support.

We will continue working with tripartite partners to raise awareness of the scheme among those who are involuntarily unemployed and encourage employers conducting retrenchments to lean forward to assist affected employees with applications for the scheme.

While the JS scheme is still in its early days, I would like to assure Members that we are closely monitoring the situation and will review the scheme parameters regularly to ensure that we provide the necessary support to involuntarily unemployed jobseekers. I would also like to stress that the JS scheme should not be viewed in isolation, as it builds on the Government's existing suite of programmes and services to help all jobseekers, such as the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme and WSG's Career Conversion Programmes. We are committed to support all jobseekers to bounce back to better jobs.