Channelling Unemployed Citizens to Manpower-constrained Growth Sectors

Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider stepping up initiatives to facilitate the channelling of unemployed citizens to business growth sectors that are continuing to look for manpower.

Mr Lim Swee Say: Our unemployment rate remains low and employment rate high. Our local workforce growth is expected to slow down going forward. My Ministry therefore welcomes the Member’s suggestion to match unemployed citizens to available jobs in the growth sectors. These efforts would also benefit Singaporeans who are entering the workforce, and those currently employed but are seeking better job opportunities and career prospects in growth sectors.

Through its career centres, WDA and the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) provide a suite of career services and employment facilitation efforts to match jobseekers to employment opportunities in various sectors, in particular the growth sectors. For the longer term, the Sectoral Tripartite Committees are formulating manpower plans for their respective sectors. This will identify the jobs and careers of the future and the measures to equip Singaporeans, both employed and unemployed, with the necessary skills to take on these opportunities.