Outcomes of Max Talent Place-and-Train Programme

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the Ministry's assessment of the outcomes of the Max Talent place-and-train programme; (b) what are the main reasons which cause participating PMEs to leave within six months of joining an SME under that programme; and (c) whether there are factors which will cause the enhanced programme known as P-Max to perform differently.

Mr Lim Swee Say: The Max Talent place-and-train programme was well-received by Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). From its inception in April 2012, the programme successfully placed a total of 1,000 PMEs in 954 SMEs across various industries such as Retail, Education, Marine Engineering, and Logistics. As part of the programme, newly-hired PMEs undertook the three-day Talent Workshop to equip them with the skills and knowledge that are essential to working in SMEs. And SMEs were provided with assistance to adopt the practices in the Talent Resource Kit to hire, manage and retain PMEs.

About 88% of the 1,000 PMEs remained employed in the SMEs for six months and above, after being placed by the programme. Of the PMEs who left the SME within six months, personal reasons was the most commonly cited factor.

In March this year, we introduced "P-Max", which builds on Max Talent with two new enhancements. First, we will introduce a new SME Workshop for SME supervisors. The SME Workshop will support SMEs in adopting progressive human resource practices, and strengthen the capabilities of SME supervisors in talent management and retention. Second, we will enhance the PME Workshop for newly-hired PMEs. The enhanced PME Workshop will better cover topics such as goals setting, managing workplace relationships and performance management. Taken together, this will help more SMEs with their recruitment process and human resource capabilities, and help place more PMEs in SMEs. We will work towards matching 3,000 PMETs with SME jobs over a three-year period.