PROFESSIONALS CONVERSION PROGRAMME

PROFESSIONALS CONVERSION PROGRAMME:

(Update): 11.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether he can provide an update on the progress of the Professionals Conversion Programme; and (b) how many Professionals, Managers,

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Executives and Technicians have benefited from the programme.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Manpower (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Professionals Conversion Programme (PCP) was launched in April 2007. It is jointly implemented by WDA and NTUC and aims to help 1,000 Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) over two years at a cost of $20 million to the Government. This is done in two ways:

(1) We will help displaced PMETs to take up vacancies available in the market; and

(2) Retrain them in new skills so that they can join growth sectors. The PCP currently offers 12 training programmes in 10 growth sectors, including F&B, Aerospace, Infocomm Technology and Healthcare, just to name a few.

As of end August 2007, some 470 PMETs have completed training and started new jobs. Of these, 377 were Co-Curricular Programme Executives employed by the Ministry of Education (MOE). Another 130 PMETs are currently enrolled in various courses. The PCP has also successfully reached out to mature workers and offered them alternative careers. Approximately one out of four trainees in the PCP is aged 40 years and above.

With the improving economic conditions, many workers are able to find jobs on their own. We will continue to monitor the results of the PCP to ensure that it meets the needs of PMETs in career transition.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the SPS for the comprehensive answer. In the course of our work as MPs, during the block visits as well as the meet-the-people

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sessions, we still frequently come across a group of PMETs who were retrenched in the last five years and have yet to find gainful employment. And for those who are employed, many of them are still under-employed. I would like to ask the SPS, of the new jobs created over the last six months, how many of these new jobs actually belong to this PMET category? Why is the take-up rate for PMETs mainly in the education sector? How about the rest of the sectors? And what is MOM doing to increase the uptake of the PCP?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, PCP aims to help 1,000 PMETs to get suitable jobs for them over a period of two years. As I have said, 470-odd PMETs have been placed and trained. About 130 of them are now undergoing training. So, over a period of two years, we aim to help 1,000 PMETs. These are jobs which are of higher skill. But, over the years, we have been helping PMETs who have lost their jobs to get jobs which are suitable to their needs. And this assistance has been given by the DCNs, including Community Development Councils, self-help groups, SNEF and other agencies. But, overall, in general, I would say that the unemployment rate amongst PMETs has declined and re-employment rate has improved.

Let me give you some figures on the re-employment rate of PMETs who have lost their jobs. In June 2004, 58.5% were re-employed within a period of six months after losing their jobs; in June 2005, 64.5%; and in June 2006, 72.6%. Unemployment rate amongst PMETs has also declined over the years and lower compared to the overall resident unemployment rate. In 2003, for example, 4.1% resident PMETs lost their jobs or unemployed, compared to 5.9% of overall resident unemployment. In 2004, 3.8% for PMETs and 5.8% amongst resident workforce. In 2006, 2.9% amongst PMETs and 4.5% amongst resident unemployed, overall. So, overall, unemployment

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rate has declined and re-employment has improved. Yes, we may still have people who have difficulties in getting the jobs that they want, but the jobs that people take up may depend on their own ability and their interest. So what we are trying to do, through WDA and MOM, is to provide for those who want to shift their careers. So 1,000 workers over two years, with $20 million to be spent.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo: I would like to ask the SPS whether the PCP is also working in concurrence with employers. In other words, are we looking at PCP just for the dislodged PMETs, that means, those who have been retrenched or displaced from the mainstream of occupation? Or are we also taking a proactive step to work with employers who may have plans to redeploy these people to some other areas and, therefore, MOM can take a more proactive step to work with employers to retrain these people?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Mr Speaker, Sir, the PCP is meant to help displaced PMETs. If there is any need to help those who are currently employed but wish to find alternative employment or profession in future, we can look into that.