Continuation of Financial Support to SMEs That Are Offering Students with Disabilities Internship Placements

Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development following the end of the Global Ready Talent local-internship funding (a) whether the Ministry will continue to provide financial support to SMEs offering students with disabilities internship placements; and (b) whether it will work with SG Enable, Institutes of Higher Learning and trade associations to promote such support and facilitate applications.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: SG Enable works with the institutes of higher learning and inclusive employers across various sectors, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to curate and facilitate internship placements for students with disabilities. In addition, through the ITE-SG Enable Internship and Employment Support Programme, the Institute of Technical Education students with disabilities are supported through pre-internship training, internship placement and on-site job support.

While the Ministry of Social and Family Development does not provide wage support for employers who offer internship opportunities to students with disabilities, funding support is provided to employers, including SMEs, to hire and retain persons with disabilities through the Enabling Employment Credit and the Open Door Programme. These broader measures help build a ready pool of inclusive employers who have the confidence and capabilities to support employees with disabilities, including offering suitable internship opportunities to students with disabilities.