At this year’s National Day Rally (18 Aug), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a skills upgrading allowance under the SkillsFuture Level-Up programme. He also announced support for jobseekers under the new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme.
Singaporeans aged 40 and above will be able to access the SkillsFuture Level-Up allowance. This provides up to $3,000 a month for people who return to full-time education. This training allowance scheme begins next year.
“If you take time off from work to study full-time, you will get an allowance of up to $3,000/month,” said PM Wong about eligibility. “And you have 24 months’ worth of allowance, everyone. If you do the sums, that adds up to $72,000 per person!”
This allowance helps Singaporeans with daily expenses and commitments, as well the ability to commit to longer and more through skills training.
Part-time skill-learners will also enjoy some of this allowance scheme, which will help pay for course fees and expenses like books. “MOE is working on this, and will share more details when ready,” said PM Wong.
“Anyone who wants to upgrade their skills — at any point in their lives, no matter how old — will be given the opportunity to do so in Singapore. This is my commitment to each and everyone of you,” said PM Wong.
The opportunity is now here, then, for older Singaporeans to learn new and vital skills — and for younger Singaporeans to make that future career switch to pursue their enduring passions going forward.
A Jobseeker Support scheme that is better than unemployment insurance
The new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will provide up to $6,000 of temporary financial support over six months for Singaporeans who become unemployed involuntarily.
“But you must do your part too!” said PM Wong. “What should you do? Go for training, career coaching, and job matching services. These are essential investments that you need to make in yourself to find better jobs.”
“This is the essence of our renewed social compact. We will have your back and stand by you; but you too must take responsibility for your actions, and make an effort to pull yourself up.”
This approach is in the vein of the previous SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, passed during the pandemic by PM Wong, then Minister for Education. This package allowed the PAP Government to give maximum support to jobseekers.
It also echoes previous calls by PAP MPs to support those who had been made involuntarily unemployed.
Source: Liang Eng Hwa, Halimah Yacob / Facebook
Back in 2009 (20 Jul), then-MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Liang Eng Hwa asked the Government about giving skills training allowances to Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs). Then-Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong noted that 36,000 PMETs were being trained, and trainees in linked Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) were receiving $1,000 a month.
Not long after in 2011 (11 Jan), then-MP for Jurong GRC Halimah Yacob pressed the Government for updates on the measures to assist displaced PMETs in finding new jobs. The Government responded that PCPs had reskilled 3,500 PMETs, and that Government-linked Career Centres had made 8,200 job placements for these PMETS.
Now, the present-day SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will help even more Singaporeans.
Its approach is also better than unemployment insurance, which puts the financial burden on individuals through premiums paid out of pocket. Instead, the Government will absorb the cost of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support, lessening the strain on workers and their families.
At the same time, it incentivises people to go back to work while learning a new skill which makes them more employable.
This support will better the lives of families while keeping our nation’s workforce competitive and cutting-edge.
PAP MPs on how the new schemes will help workers
All this help struck a chord with PAP MPs.
Source: Rachel Ong, Liang Eng Hwa / Facebook
“The SkillsFuture Level-Up allowance assistance is invaluable for those considering a different pathway thus furthering their education,” said MP Rachel Ong (West Coast GRC) in an exclusive interview with Petir.
MP Ong was also enthused about the overall structure of the Jobseeker Support scheme.
“Participants will also undergo Training, Coaching, and Job-Matching to aid them in their job search,” she noted. This will bring hope for many!”
Petir also caught up with MP Liang, who looks after Bukit Panjang SMC today. Over a decade since he spoke about training allowances for PMETs in Parliament, he understands the importance of the current Jobseeker Support scheme.
“Losing a livelihood is a major setback in the life of a worker and their families. The Job Seeker’s Support scheme firstly helps reduce the financial pressure on the family,” he said.
“Secondly, it provides time and space for the unemployed person to find a more suitable job that better matches the person’s skill set and experience; and which hopefully also pays a salary that is closer to the previous job,” he added.
MP Liang’s mention of supporting the family unit is particularly pertinent this NDR. PM Wong also announced four weeks of mandatory paternity leave for new dads, and singles getting priority when applying for BTO flats near (within 4km) where their parents or children live.
Helping workers also means helping the companies that employ them. PM Wong announced that the Government is actively looking at reducing red-tape and regulations to enable SMEs and businesses to thrive.
All in all, the NDR measures for the economy means a revitalised Singapore going forward, where all workers are supported and valued.
