Launched last year, the SGUnited Jobs and Skills package is a key pillar in Singapore’s industry transformation, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget 2021 speech today (Feb 16).
He noted that as of end last year, the Government has placed nearly 76,000 people in jobs, traineeships, attachments and skills training.
Under the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI), an estimated 110,000 local job seekers were collectively hired within two months from the implementation of the scheme.
As companies and industries transform, and as new growth areas emerge, Singaporeans will need to have the skills and agility to move, said Mr Heng.
To emerge stronger, they will need new knowledge and skills, he added.
To enable Singaporeans to take on these new jobs, Mr Heng announced that an additional S$5.4 billion will be allocated to a second tranche of the Jobs and Skills Package, on top of the S$3 billion allocated last year.
Of this, S$5.2 billion will be allocated to the JGI to extend the hiring window by seven months, up to end-September this year.
Mr Heng said that the next phase of the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package will support the hiring of 200,000 locals this year.
It will also aim to provide up to 35,000 traineeships and training opportunities to help job seekers in upskilling and accessing employment opportunities.
Featured Image Credit: Bloomberg
