Impact of SkillsFuture on Employability of Graduates above Age 40

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked the Minister for Manpower of the number of university graduates aged 40 years and above in 2016 who had left their jobs or were retrenched in that year, how many have managed to secure employment thereafter in (i) the same industry they were in or (ii) a different industry respectively as a result of the SkillsFuture movement.

The Second Minister for Manpower (Mrs Josephine Teo) (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, data on the number of employees who left their jobs but who were not retrenched is not available. There were about 5,000 retrenched local PMETs aged 40 and above in 2016. About one-third of those who subsequently found jobs re-entered the same industry, while the rest took up jobs in a different industry.

Singaporeans looking for a new job or career can tap on the Adapt and Grow initiative to supplement their own efforts. In 2017, more than 6,000 PMETs aged 40 and above found jobs through career matching services or programmes such as the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) and Career Support Programme (CSP), which provide training and wage support to bridge mismatches in skills or wage expectations. This is an increase of almost 50% compared to 2016.

Individuals also have access to a wide range of courses and initiatives under SkillsFuture to enhance or acquire new skills to stay relevant as the job market evolves.

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio): I thank the Second Minister for the answer. It is quite heartening to know that there are Singaporeans being emplaced with jobs even after they are retrenched. However, in conversations with residents or even some volunteers, not many are aware of the whole slew of SkillsFuture's initiatives and schemes available. Whenever we mention SkillsFuture, the first thing that comes to mind is the $500 SkillsFuture Credit. Is there any data that the Ministry has to show the level of awareness and knowledge that Singaporeans have about the various schemes and programmes under SkillsFuture? And are there plans to increase outreach or even roadshows to inform and explain to Singaporeans that there are many different schemes and programmes under SkillsFuture that they can tap on?

Mrs Josephine Teo: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Member for her questions. Actually, for the SkillsFuture, the Minister is seated right here and he is better placed to answer that question. But I will try my best. We work as a team. Indeed, if you consider the fact that SkillsFuture is a relatively new movement, the fact that so many people know of its existence, in fact it came to my mind quite remarkable. Notwithstanding the fact that the one thing that is on their top of mind recall is the $500 credit.

I think, increasingly, individuals are beginning to learn about SkillsFuture. If you look at the perspective of the students, if the student is in a Polytechnic, he knows that there are programmes such as Earn and Learn, which is one of the SkillsFuture programme. If they are already in the workforce, SkillsFuture has launched two major initiatives. One is an advisory for individuals; second, there is an initiative to reach out to businesses to help them in turn help their own employees make better use of the many schemes that are available under SkillsFuture.

Of course, at the same time, the Member correctly pointed out we would need to do things like roadshows and reach out to as many people as possible to help them understand how they can take advantage of the schemes. I should add that in addition to SkillsFuture, likewise, we also conduct outreach on Adapt and Grow initiatives because depending on individuals, whether they are actively looking for a job or they are just seeking to replenish their repertoire of skills in order to be ready for a transition in the future, I think it is worth our while to reach out to all of them. Many different types of approaches and channels will have to be exercised for that purpose.