Singapore's Manpower Minister announces more support for people changing careers

Singapore's Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say on Monday announced several enhancements to support professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) looking to switch careers.

Lim said the Professional Conversion Program (PCP) will continue to subsidize 70 percent of the monthly pay of PMETs undergoing career conversion, but the government will raise the salary support caps from 2,000 Singapore dollars (1,418 U.S. dollars) to 4,000 Singapore dollars (2,836 U.S. dollars).

The minister added employers who hire PMETs who are 40 years and older or those who have been unemployed for more than six months will get a higher level of subsidy. They will receive a 90 percent subsidy of the monthly pay at a higher cap of 6,000 Singapore dollars (4,255 U.S. dollars), up from 4,000 Singapore dollars (2,836 U.S. dollars) a month.

Lim also revealed details on enhancements of the Career Support Program (CSP) to help PMETs who have been unemployed for longer duration. Employers who hire mature PMETs or those who have been actively job searching for a year or more will get higher wage subsidies. The salary support will be extended from 12 to 18 months.

Singapore government will hire two foreign employment agencies, which own experience of working with the government, to help PMETs find jobs, said Lim.

In addition, government-run National Jobs Bank will become a one-stop jobs and skills online portal, with more self-help tools for users.

 Source: Xinhua