SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND (Particulars)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Finance, since the setting up of the Skills Development Fund, how much has been collected; how many applications for skills development assistance have been received and how many have been approved, the number of workers involved and for what type of skills, up to the latest convenient date; what are the criteria for assistance; and whether he will encourage skills development of higher technological levels to fulfil the need of the more sophisticated industries.

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, as of 31st January, 1980, the Skills Development Fund has collected $11.4 million. From 21st December, 1979, when the Fund was first opened for applications, the Skills Development Council has received 15 formal applications. The processing of seven applications has been completed, of which four were approved and three rejected. Of the remaining eight applications under consideration, five were received only in February this year.

The four awards totalling $403,400 will subsidise the cost of training 148 workers in the following skills:

(a) Maintenance and refurbishing of aircraft, communication, electrical and electronic instruments;

(b) Maintenance of industrial machinery with electrical, electronic and mechanical components;

(c) Making of wood and metal patterns for the foundry industry.

The criteria for assistance have been formulated as broadly as prudent administration will allow. Applications are judged according to the following:

(a) Relevance to skill development;

(b) Relevance to economic restructuring, productivity and labour saving;

(c) Quality and nature of the training programme;

(d) Cost of the programme and commitment by the sponsors:

(e) Competence of the sponsors in operating the programme.

The Council will consider favourably training schemes for skills development at higher technological levels to meet the needs of the more sophisticated industries. I would like to assure all Members, however, that favourable consideration will also be given to the development of common user skills that are necessary for upgrading companies in all sectors of the economy. The Council will give equal consideration to all bona fide applications.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Sir, according to the reply of the Hon. Minister for Finance, it appears that the manufacturing sector has not made any application for assistance for the upgrading of manufacturing skills. Would the Minister care to comment on this?

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, I am not sure where the Member got his information from. In fact, I mentioned that the four awards we have given are for training workers in maintenance and refurbishing of aircraft, communication, electrical and electronic instruments; maintenance of industrial machinery; making of wood and metal patterns. These are all in mechanised industries. The last item, for example, is in the Singapore Foundry and Machinery Company.