Professionals, managers, executives and technicians in Singapore are badly hit by the recent economic slowdown. The government is rolling out training like SPUR and PCP in an endeavour to find them placement.

SPUR (Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience) is a tripartite training programme supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Government of Singapore and Trade Unions (NTUC and SNEF). The scheme is an endeavour to assist employees and companies manage economic recession by investing in skill development to build a competitive and resilient workforce. Continuing Education and Training (CET) system developed over years to help workers prepare for new opportunities and stay employable in changing economic scenario is used as a platform by SPUR to find alternative careers in Singapore.

SPUR can benefit job seekers and employees who are exploring ways to upgrade their skill.

• CET centres support higher course fee:

Course fee subsidy is 90 per cent for Rank-and-File workers and 80 per cent for courses aimed at Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technician (PMETs). So employers have to pay less when they send employees to any approved SPUR training. Higher course fee support for nationally certifiable courses is available to workers at CET centres. The workers can apply directly or to Career Centres at Community Development Council (CDC).

• Training Allowance:

Lower skilled workers may be eligible for training allowances if assessed by CDC and NTUC’s (National Trade Union Congress) e2i.

• Job Matching and Training facilitation:

Career consultants at CDC and NTUC’s e2i help job seekers with information and guidance on job availability and training needs.

There are more than 800 courses available under SPUR. Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) courses by CET centres and approved quality providers are more than 300. Institute of Technical Education and polytechnics offer more than 400 courses under SPUR. In-house training programmes are considered under SPUR when companies are committed to Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower and SPUR approved courses are included in their in-house training package. WDA is also exploring approved university providers such as University of Nevada and Baruch College, The City University of New York to offer specialised Master programs to tailor to specific industry needs.

Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) are designed and established by WDA (Workforce Development Agency) in collaboration with training providers and employers to improve job opportunities for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technician (PMETs) and help them acquire the latest skills to start or switch career in developing sectors. There are two types of PCP:

• Place and Train (PnT)

• Train and Place (TnP)

In PnT mode, employers select the candidates and offer them job before starting off with the training. The candidates are then trained to match the employer’s requirement. In most of the cases there is a minimum service period that a trainee has to fulfil.

In TnP mode, the training provider tries to match trainees with appropriate employers during or at the end of the course. In some cases, trainees may undergo apprenticeship or work attachment with companies in relevant sectors.

There are different types of PCP for PMET jobs. These include sectors like finance, marketing, psychology construction, healthcare, food and beverage, logistics, retail, security, tourism, aerospace and so on. For details of these programmes, visit:

The Government of Singapore is worried about PMETs and increasing the frequency of workshops and seminars to share tips about skills in career transition and job search. While the training should be relevant to industry needs, it is better to be realistic and accept an adjustment in salary or position if the situation demands. In such testing times it is important to continue working hard as hard work always pays back.