Applications for Job Redesign Grant and Training Grant under Open Door Programme

Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many firms have applied for the Job Redesign Grant and Training Grant under the Open Door Programme (ODP) in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively; (b) what are some specific job redesign projects that the Job Redesign Grant has supported; and (c) whether the Ministry is considering ways to incentivise more firms to utilise ODP.

SG Enable works closely with interested employers to apply for relevant grants and services under the Open Door Programme (ODP). With this customised approach, all ODP Training Grant and Job Redesign Grant applications made from 2020 to 2022 were successful.

Between 2020 and 2022, about 90 organisations per year received support from the ODP Training Grant and about 1,650 employees participated in training to be equipped with skills on recruiting and integrating persons with disabilities at their workplace.

Between 2020 and 2022, 20 employers hiring 60 persons with disabilities benefited from the ODP Job Redesign Grant per year on average. Job redesign initiatives supported by the ODP Job Redesign Grant include installing screen readers that read digital content aloud for employees with visual impairment, providing audio assistive devices for those who are deaf, providing tablets with visual guides for employees with autism spectrum disorder, and installing ramps and converting push doors to sliding doors for wheelchair users.

Besides the Training Grant and Job Redesign Grant, ODP also supports inclusive hiring through job placement and post-placement job support. These efforts have supported SG Enable and its partners to place 500 persons with disabilities into employment per year, on average, from 2020 to 2022.

SG Enable proactively engages employers from a wide range of sectors to create job opportunities for persons with disabilities by providing one-to-one advisory and consultancy services on topics, such as inclusive hiring practices, job accommodations and workplace accessibility. In addition, SG Enable works with trade associations and business chambers and networks to reach out to employers on disability-inclusive hiring and support available under ODP. We welcome more employers to tap on support under ODP to start or expand their inclusive hiring efforts.