SPRING sets aside S$45m to help SMEs implement mentorship plan

GOVERNMENT enterprise development agency SPRING Singapore has budgeted S$45 million to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) develop the skills of their employees through training and development programmes.

The scheme, called SkillsFuture Mentors, was announced in this year's Budget. "Interested professionals are invited to participate as SkillsFuture Mentors. They are required to have at least eight years industry experience, five years management experience and experience in learning and development," said SPRING in a news release on Friday.

SPRING said it aims to build up a pool of 400 mentors to support 2,000 SMEs over the next three years. It said it will provide full funding support to SMEs for the first three years.

Mentors will be matched to eligible SMEs over a nine-month period to develop and implement the mentorship plan, and enhance systems and processes for learning and development.

The goal is for SMEs to "build up their branding as employers of choice with attractive career development and growth opportunities", said SPRING.