More government help for job-seekers

THE government will expand and launch new schemes under the SkillsFuture manpower development plan to help laid-off and other out-of-work workers to upskill and find jobs, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Thursday.

"To support our people amidst softening economic conditions and ongoing restructuring, MOM (Ministry of Manpower) will enhance employment support through the Adapt and Grow initiative," he said. "This will help our people adapt to changing job demands and grow their skills." Specifically, for those who are finding it tougher to land a job, Mr Heng said that the government will boost its wage support scheme to encourage employers to hire them.

For mid-career job-seekers, including retrenched professionals, the government will ramp up professional conversion programmes. There will be new programmes for sectors such as design and information and communications technology (ICT).