SINGAPORE: Despite concern over retrenchments in Singapore, many jobs are still available in the short term, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on Saturday (Nov 12).
Efforts should be directed at helping Singaporeans obtain these jobs, and this includes getting more Singaporeans to join the national SkillsFuture initiative, he said.
Speaking at a job fair in South West district, Mr Tharman said the Government will develop a pool of coaches to advise and help Singaporeans on relevant learning opportunities.
Mr Tharman, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, also said it is important for Singaporeans to keep refreshing their skills to do well at their jobs.
"There are many Singaporeans who already have a job. They are doing quite well in their jobs. Now they too, need new skills,” he said. “Because all of us have to keep refreshing and improving our skills. That is the only way in which Singapore is going to move up and that is the only way in which each of us can do well."
About 80,000 people have already tapped SkillsFuture credits for courses since the scheme’s launch a year ago. But Mr Tharman urged Singaporeans not to rush, and to instead take their time to plan for the type of courses they need before signing up.
- CNA/cy
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...despite-layoffs-says-dpm-tharman/3283184.html
Efforts should be directed at helping Singaporeans obtain these jobs, and this includes getting more Singaporeans to join the national SkillsFuture initiative, he said.
Speaking at a job fair in South West district, Mr Tharman said the Government will develop a pool of coaches to advise and help Singaporeans on relevant learning opportunities.
Mr Tharman, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, also said it is important for Singaporeans to keep refreshing their skills to do well at their jobs.
"There are many Singaporeans who already have a job. They are doing quite well in their jobs. Now they too, need new skills,” he said. “Because all of us have to keep refreshing and improving our skills. That is the only way in which Singapore is going to move up and that is the only way in which each of us can do well."
About 80,000 people have already tapped SkillsFuture credits for courses since the scheme’s launch a year ago. But Mr Tharman urged Singaporeans not to rush, and to instead take their time to plan for the type of courses they need before signing up.
- CNA/cy
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...despite-layoffs-says-dpm-tharman/3283184.html
