Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division
Ministry of Information, Communications and The Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 837-9666
PRESS RELEASE
WORKSKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME TO HELP SINGAPOREANS ACQUIRE ESSENTIAL LABOUR MARKET SKILLS
A new training programme is launched today by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allowing Singaporeans the opportunity to acquire useful skills in planning their careers, searching for jobs and dealing positively with job losses or job changes through the WorkSkills Training Programme.
First announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan at the Singapore Learning Expo on 23 Nov 2001, the WorkSkills Training Programme is spearheaded by MOM in collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore Professionals’ and Executives Co-operative (SPEC). The programme aims to help Singaporeans equip themselves with relevant career planning and job search skills so that they can secure suitable employment more quickly and effectively amidst rapid changes in the economy and labour market. At the same time, it will help retrenched workers and executives respond positively to retrenchments. Participants in the programme will also learn about the structural changes taking place in the economy, the labour market outlook and trends, as well as the various retraining programmes available to enhance their employability and job prospects.
Mr. Chan Heng Kee, MOM’s Divisional Director of Manpower Development Division said, "The WorkSkills Training Programme will help unemployed Singaporeans better identify, seek out and secure employment during this economic downturn. The programme is also relevant after we recover from this downturn. Because of the rapidly changing economy and labour market, changing careers and jobs several times over our working lifetimes will become a familiar practice. Besides having the technical and soft skills to perform new jobs, we should develop basic labour market skills in planning for our careers, searching for jobs and responding positively to job losses."
MOM will invest $4 million from the Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund (LLF) to develop the programme and train 5,000 Singaporeans, including workers, executives, professionals and managers, over the next year. All Singaporean trainees will be eligible for 80% course fee support, capped at $15 support per trainee-hour. In view of the economic downturn, MOM will be extending 100% support, capped at $15 per trainee-hour, for all unemployed and retrenched workers for one year.
NTUC and SPEC will manage the programme with NTUC conducting courses for workers, while SPEC focuses on courses for the professionals, managers and executives. Other public and private training institutions providing new courses will also be added in the coming months. Each complete course will take between four to fourteen days. Trainees can also choose to attend the training on a modular basis, with each module ranging from one to three days. The first class for workers conducted by NTUC will commence today, while the courses conducted by SPEC for the professionals, managers and executives will begin on 7 Jan 2002.
Mr. Seah Seng Choon, NTUC’s Director of Skills Development said, "The WorkSkills Training Programme is designed to give our workers better insights into the comprehensive labour market situation in Singapore. The work skills acquired through the training session will serve as a "compass" or direction setter. It will instill greater confidence amongst trainees which is essential in seeking lifelong employability."
Mr. David Ang, General Manager of SPEC said, "In putting up the WorkSkills Training Programme, the foremost consideration was how to assist employees find jobs in such difficult times. The world has changed dramatically, it will take some time for the good times to return. Yet, where there is a dearth in jobs, employees and the unemployed must be realistic and knowledgeable in knowing how to make the necessary transitions and 'fish' that job or get into something enterprise."
For further information on the WorkSkills Training Programme, the public can call NTUC’s hotline 8378169 or SPEC’s hotline 4380012 during office hours or refer to the websites www.ntuc.org.sg or www.specco-op.org.sg.
ANNEX 1 -- WORKSKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME
CURRICULUM FOR PROFESSIONALS, MANAGERS AND EXECUTIVES
Track 1 – Managing the Negatives (knowing the unknown)
Module 1.1
Managing Emotions
Module 1.2
Financial Impact & Planning
Track 2 – Managing the Transition (Reinvent yourself)
Module 2.1
Personal Discovery / Self Assessment
Module 2.2
Understanding The Employment Market / Job Opportunities
Module 2.3
Career Counselling and Planning
Track 3 – Managing the Positives (A New Beginning)
Module 3.1
Module 3.2
Be your own Boss / Self Employed
ANNEX 2 -- WORKSKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME
CURRICULUM FOR WORKERS
Track 1 - Career Planning
Module 1 – Managing Expectations, Self-Assessment, & Planning
Track 2 - Job Searching
Module 2.2 – Interviewing Skills
Track 3: Job Rebound
Module 3.1 – Managing Emotions
Module 3.2 – Financial Impact & Planning