Public sector to create 10,000 new jobs over the next year

Singapore

THE public sector will take the lead to create about 10,000 jobs in the next year while the government will co-share with the private sector the costs of providing 8,000 trainee places for first-time local job-seekers.

Anticipating more job losses as the mounting fallout of the coronavirus outbreak makes it tougher for businesses to retain workers, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat also said the government will dish out S$145 million in the next six months to offer financial help to the jobless and families in need of money.

"Some families may require help urgently, while waiting for the new measures to kick in," said Mr Heng who is also the Finance Minister. "We will set up a Temporary Relief Fund in the month of April to provide them with immediate financial assistance. This will be available at our social service offices and community centres."

He said the government will be more flexible during this period when considering applications for ComCare assistance for those who fall into financial hardship.

Workers who become jobless specifically because of the coronavirus outbreak can turn to the new Covid-19 Support Grant, which will be available from May to September this year.

Low- and middle-income employees who lose their jobs can get a monthly grant of S$800 for three months, while they look for new jobs or go for training.

The 10,000 new jobs will be created under the new SGUnited Jobs Initiative. Mr Heng said the public sector will take the lead.

"Our agencies have been planning our manpower needs early, and there is a range of jobs which we need to fill in emerging areas," he said. "We will accelerate hiring plans to fill these roles, while giving our people meaningful employment opportunities."

He said the government will hire for long-term roles in the public services and sectoral partner institutions in areas such as social services, early childhood education and information and communications technology to enhance the provision of essential services.

The government will also offer short-term, temporary jobs to handle the increase in Covid-19 related operations, such as health declaration assistants, temporary management support officers and the transport ambassadors.

Mr Heng said the government is further working with the Singapore Business Federation and other trade associations and chambers of commerce to identify private-sector job opportunities. "These may come from businesses recruiting for the eventual recovery, or with short-term manpower needs due to disruptions in labour supply," he said.

Micron, a private-sector provider of memory and storage solutions, and SMRT have already come on board the SGUnited Jobs Initiative.

Workforce Singapore will roll out a series of SGUnited Jobs Virtual Career Fairs from today till April 12, which will offer more than 2,200 jobs. Most of the jobs are temporary and immediately available.

The 8,000 places for trainees will come under the SGUnited Traineeships Programme will not only provide young people opportunities to gain valuable work experience, but also give an extra boost for employers to emerge stronger from the current crisis, according to Mr Heng.

In providing details of the programme, the Ministry of Manpower said that the training allowance for the trainees will be co-funded by the government and participating firms.

It said the programme will give traineeship opportunities to fresh graduates from ITE, polytechnics, universities and other educational institutions across various industries, including government research and development institutes, deep-tech start-ups, accelerators and incubators.

Commenting on the job creation initiatives, Dominic Salomoni, a director at recruitment firm Robert Walters Singapore, said: "The combined investment in the emerging sectors and plan to create 10,000+ jobs will help underpin employment levels, diversify skill sets and future-proof the Singaporean workforce."