WDA, SNEF launch skills upgrading plan for SMEs

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) have jointly launched a plan to benefit nearly 1,300 workers in small and medium enterprises upgrade their skills.

Speaking during a visit to Golden Bridge Foods Manufacturing in Senoko, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan said S$3.8 million has been set aside for the programme.

The programme targets the rank—and—file, and professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) over two years.

"Through Manufacturing PLAN, we hope to make it more affordable for SMEs to holistically upgrade their training systems and workforce," said Mr Lee.

"I am pleased to note that the Manufacturing PLAN has attracted 30 companies across different sectors, and 22 of them are SMEs."

The funding will go towards helping firms develop human resource systems, align their in—house training to the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system, and provide companies with more course subsidies when they send their workers for training.

"The work processes in any manufacturing company has to change. We cannot rely on a lot of low—wage workers," said Ms Christine Ng, financial controller at Kim Ann Engineering.

"The government has been calling for all this and we do see the need to play our part, to upgrade our staff and to prepare for more changes in the way we do work. We cannot be doing what we have been doing, we have to change."

— CNA/xq