SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND (Particulars for 1988)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for Trade and Industry, in respect of the Skills Development Fund for the year 1988, (i) how much was collected, (ii) how much was paid out for the training of workers and managers, and (iii) how many of them were trained.

Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.

The total Skills Development Fund levy collected in 1988 was $24 million. Some $61 million was committed for training in the same year. The programmes that were sponsored include, amongst others, the training of technical skills, productivity and QCC-related training, computer-related training, BEST and COSEC. Altogether 274,000 training places were taken up by these programmes in 1988.