Singapore's government will appoint Jobs-Skills Integrators to help workers and employers identify high-quality training courses relevant to their industries, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his Budget statement. These institutions will work with industry, training and job placement partners to ensure that training leads to better employment and earnings prospects. Examples of existing institutions that may be selected include trade associations and chambers, unions and training providers. The initiative will be piloted in the precision engineering, retail and wholesale trade sectors.

The Jobs-Skills Integrators will identify skills gaps and work with training providers to update existing programmes or develop new ones to close the gaps. They will also work with job placement agencies, secure the support of industry partners and unions and identify individuals with the right aptitude for training.

To support senior workers who want to continue working, the government is raising the retirement and re-employment ages, providing wage support through the Senior Employment Credit, and supporting employers who offer part-time work. The Senior Employment Credit and the Part-time Re-employment Grant will be extended till 2025.

To increase the wages of lower-wage workers, the government will increase its co-funding support under the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme for qualifying year 2023, which will last until 2026. The Government will co-fund 75 per cent of a wage increase of at least $100 for resident workers earning $2,500 and lower in gross monthly wage, and 45 per cent for those earning above $2,500, up to $3,000.

The government will also enhance the Enabling Employment Credit, which supports employers that hire persons with disabilities, to cover a larger proportion of wages and will introduce a new Uplifting Employment Credit to encourage firms to employ former offenders.

Source: The Straits Times