Govt dangles cash awards to spur skills upgrading

SINGAPORE - As the Government makes a bigger push to convince low-wage workers to upgrade their skills, it also recognises that some are still reluctant to do so.

Some workers are shying away because they are worried that time spent in classes would hurt their pay packets, said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong.

So, from July 1, training allowances will also be provided to those who take up the Workfare Skill-Up programme and compensation will be paid on a case-by-case basis, Mr Gan told reporters at an event at the Kebun Baru Community Centre in Ang Mo Kio yesterday.

This programme - part of the three-year Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme - will give low-wage workers higher course fee funding, cash awards and greater support when they upgrade their skills.

Article by Zul Othman, TodayOnline

SINGAPORE - As the Government makes a bigger push to convince low-wage workers to upgrade their skills, it also recognises that some are still reluctant to do so.

Some workers are shying away because they are worried that time spent in classes would hurt their pay packets, said Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong.

So, from July 1, training allowances will also be provided to those who take up the Workfare Skill-Up programme and compensation will be paid on a case-by-case basis, Mr Gan told reporters at an event at the Kebun Baru Community Centre in Ang Mo Kio yesterday.

This programme - part of the three-year Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme - will give low-wage workers higher course fee funding, cash awards and greater support when they upgrade their skills.

An estimated 400,000 workers fall into the low-wage category.

Mr Gan noted that language barriers are hindering some low-wage workers.

"Many of them may not have the necessary literacy skills to be able to benefit from many of our training courses because the classes are conducted in English," he said.

These workers can now look forward to English classes designed to boost their confidence, help them acquire new skills and move on to better paying jobs.

A $200 cash award will be handed out to trainees for every literacy level they attain.

Motivational workshops and mentoring sessions will be made available to these workers, and participants can also tap on a post-training job placement service.

Workers also stand to receive $400 annually via the Training Commitment Award, introduced to encourage low wage workers to undergo and pass sustained training.

The Workforce Development Agency will soon be sending out letters soon to eligible workers informing them about the training incentives.

To qualify, workers must be Singaporeans aged 35 years and above, earning $1,700 or less monthly.

Mr Gan is hopeful that between 30,000 and 40,000 workers will benefit from the schemes.

Employers also stand to gain: Those who send their low-wage workers for training will also have up to 95 per cent of the course fees and worker's pay covered.

Mr Gan said his Ministry is working with the National Trades Union Congress' Employment and Employability Institute and other tripartite partners to encourage companies to adopt best sourcing practices to ensure the interests of low wage workers are protected.

The programme for very low-skilled Singaporeans was announced in Parliament in March as part of the new WTS.

The scheme will cost an estimated $190 million over the next three years.