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WDA, NTUC ST Forum Reply on JRP
8 July 2008
The Straits Times
Attention: Forum Section Editor
We refer to the letter “Retraining low-wage workers: Let’s be realistic” (Straits Times, 25 June 2008) by Leong Sze Hian, who was concerned about the difficulties faced by cleaning workers in undergoing skills training and upgrading.
We agree with the writer that some adult workers do face barriers to training and upgrading. One is cost, which is why the Government has put in place various funding schemes, tapping from the Skills Development Fund and Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund to defray the cost of training for employers and workers.
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has also developed many worker-based programmes for workers who may not have their employer’s support to defray their training costs. Workers can sign up directly for training at subsidised funding support of up to 90 per cent. To date, WDA has helped about 113,000 low-skilled workers upgrade their skills.
Specifically under the Job Re-creation Programme (JRP), a total of 39,656 low wage workers have benefited from the training and job redesign efforts. The JRP has helped these workers by enhancing their job content, skills and pay.
The changes introduced by the 14 PAP Town Councils in awarding new cleaning contracts based on performance were the result of close collaboration between the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and JRP Conservancy Sector Champion, Mayor Teo Ho Pin, who is also the Chairman of Holland Bukit-Panjang Town Council.
We will continue our efforts to work with our partners to help older, low wage workers to advance in their careers through skills upgrading and easier access to training. Let us give our workers the encouragement. This starts with a mindset change amongst service buyers, employers, and the public at large that our older, low wage workers are resilient, adaptable and can contribute to the workplace, in higher value jobs that earn better wages.
Sim Soo Kheng (Ms)
Director
Corporate & Marketing Communications
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
Ang Hin Kee
Director
Employability Enhancement Department
National Trades Union Congress
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