Conversion programme launched for PMETs to join logistics industry

Singapore

LOCAL professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) looking to join the logistics industry will now have a Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) catered to them.

Some 150 vacancies for PMETs for job roles as logistics officers and executives will be available, with a total of 10 logistics firms - including DHL Express, YCH Group, and Yang Kee Logistics - already committed to the PCP. They will offer over 60 of the 150 vacancies.

The PCP will commence in July and is expected to last two years. The Supply Chain and Logistics Academy has been appointed programme manager and will work with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to develop the programme.

Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, speaking at the programme's launch at the Lifelong Learning Institute on Wednesday, noted that the logistics industry has become a "dynamic" one, contributing almost 7 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) and providing employment to over 200,000 people.

Mr Lim said: "To do well, logistics companies need to leverage technology and people to deliver everything cheaper, better and faster - every time and for everyone."

He added that several emerging roles in the industry have been identified. They range from innovation and process improvement, to vertical specialisation, logistics solutions, and programme management.

To help lower companies' cost of hiring PMETs, the government will support 70 per cent of the trainee's salary during the 12-month training period, with a cap of S$2,000 per month. Enhanced support of 90 per cent, capped at S$4,000 per month, will be provided to Singaporean PMETs who are long-term unemployed or aged 40 and above.

To be eligible for the PCP, participants must be newly hired PMETs, nominated by an eligible participating company and have at least one year of working experience.

The logistics PCP comes on the back of WDA's strengthened efforts to help Singaporeans find jobs. Earlier this month, an additional S$28 million was set aside to expand PCPs to other industries (including logistics) over the next two years, in a bid to help PMETs pick up new skills for enhanced employability.

Separately, a new initiative to upgrade and deepen the skills of freelancers in the creative industries was also launched by WDA on Wednesday, in conjunction with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) U Creative scheme.

Dubbed the Attach and Train Programme (ATP), freelancers will be attached to host companies for up to six months. Through the ATP, they will get the opportunity to work on real-life projects while undergoing on- the-job training with designated mentors.

For a start, the ATP targets to benefit 20 freelancers over the next two years. Participating companies include Black Design, mm2 Entertainment, and Verite Production.

Said WDA chief executive Ng Cher Pong: "The suite of interventions introduced by WDA aim to equip freelancers with the relevant skills, so that they are able to adapt to evolving demands and support the growth of the industry."