More Professionals, Managers and Executives receive employment assistance

by Saifulbahri Ismail

More Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) have received assistance in employment.

Giving an update in Parliament today, Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said over 2,000 PMEs have gone through CaliberLink as of August this year.

CaliberLink is a one-stop service point for PMEs that integrates training assistance and career services.

So far, more than 400 PMEs have taken part in a programme that helps small and medium enterprises (SME) recruit and retain such workers.

Max Talent is a collaboration between the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME).

In addition, WDA is collaborating with two private employment agencies to roll out the "PME Specialist Assistance" programme to help unemployed PMEs enhance their employability.

Within two months of its introduction in July this year, over 40 PMEs were referred by WDA's career centres to the programme.

The government expects the number of PMEs to continue to grow in the workforce.

4 in 10 Singaporean workers are expected to be in the category of PMEs by 2030.

This, as the local workforce become better educated and more skilled.

Mr Tan said the PME jobs available in the future will depend on the new industries Singapore attracts, progress in restructuring existing sectors and efforts to maintain a diversified economy.

"These strategies will continue to be work in progress as we look at how the world is adapting and how we can adjust ourselves in the process as well. Therefore to make sure we create the right type of PME jobs for the PMEs that are coming on to the market."

Nominated MP Mary Liew expressed concerns that as university places in Singapore grows, mature PMEs who do not have such qualifications may find it difficult to stay competitive.

Mr Tan disagreed:

"While some employers may continue to use academic qualifications but it's only one signal of one's capabilities. I think most of us will agree there are many different indicators the skills sets, there are other forms of certifications beyond just a graduate degree qualification, your past experience, your past employer's testimonials and ultimately the performance on the job."

On the issue of low wage workers, Mr Tan said there has been good support of the National Wages Council's recommendation for a $50 increment in the salaries of workers with basic monthly pay below $1,000.

The Manpower Ministry will share its findings on the adoption rate next year.