TRAINING OF PMETS

TRAINING OF PMETS

6.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Minister for Manpower (a) if he will provide an update on the Continuing Education and Training system for the training of PMETs; and (b) given the upswing in the economy, how can the Ministry incentivise and motivate PMETs to go for training.

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Mr Gan Kim Yong: Over the last two years, MOM has been expanding Continuing Education and Training (CET) opportunities for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs). Overall, there are now some 300 funded training courses available for PMETs today to re-skill and up-skill themselves. From December 2008 to June 2010, an estimated 85,000 PMETs have benefited from these programmes.

We will continue to expand the CET system, including CET for PMETs, which is critical to our economic competitiveness and workforce productivity.

First, we will expand the range of Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) and other industry-related programmes that will help PMETs broaden and deepen their skill sets. Just over the last month alone, we added three new PMET programmes – the Productivity Initiatives in Services and Manufacturing (PRISM) programme to equip managers and supervisors with the know-how to use various productivity tools and techniques; the Precision Engineering WSQ Diploma in Mechatronics and Robotics for PMETs in the manufacturing sector to develop expertise in designing, implementing and managing different manufacturing systems; and the Small and Medium Enterprise Manufacturing Excellence (S.M.E) programme to groom PMETs in small and medium enterprises to be process improvement experts.

Second, we will broaden CET funding for PMETs on an ongoing basis. Starting 1st December 2010, the general support rate for PMET courses approved for funding will be 50% of course fees capped at $15/hour. This will cover PMETs across many industries and skills areas. In addition, the Government will increase the course fee tax relief from $3,500 to $5,500 with effect from Year of Assessment 2011.

While PMETs can look forward to many more training opportunities in the years ahead, both employers and PMETs must also continue to take the initiative to upgrade so as to deepen and broaden their skills.

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