MOM will work to expand employment facilitation efforts for workforce-Chuan-Jin

Acting Manpower Minister, Tan Chuan-Jin has assured Singaporeans that the tripartite partners will work to expand the suite of employment facilitation services for the local workforce. 

Writing in his blog on manpower issues, he says the government feels it can do more for every Singaporean who needs a job, especially with the growing numbers of PMEs. 

Mr Tan adds that while Singapore may have low numbers of unemployed, the government should still do what it can to help those who are jobless. 

In this regard, the PME Specialist Assistance Programme was launched to render specialised job assistance for this group and is expected to benefit up to 500 unemployed Singaporean PMEs. 

The programme's adapted from the experiences of countries such as Australia and the UK, countries which have found some success in leveraging on the expertise, network and resources of the private sector to provide specialist career and job placement services. 

Mr Tan says through the scheme, MOM hopes to widen employment opportunities for PMEs, especially for niche jobs and sectors. 

The programme is in its early days, with 21 participants since it started in July 2012. 

Apart from the PME group, the Workforce Development Agency or WDA continues to provide career assistance to the other segments of the workforce. 

Its Career Centres located at the Community Development Councils and e2i have assisted about 11,200 clients in the second quarter of 2012, up from 9,800 in the first quarter of the year. 

Job placement rates for the Centres' clients have also increased from 4,500 to 5,100.