Over 124,000 workers sign up for SPUR programmes
By Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 July 2009 1431 hrs
SINGAPORE: Over 124,000 workers have signed up for programmes funded under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).
They comprise two-thirds rank and file workers, and one-third Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETS).
Nearly seven in ten of these workers were sent for training by their companies as a way to manage their extra manpower.
Two-thirds of the companies are small and medium-sized enterprises.
About S$210 million have been committed under SPUR thus far.
The Manpower Ministry and Workforce Development Agency were giving an update of SPUR since it was announced last December.
Since courses for PMETS were refined in May this year, more employers and potential trainees have shown interest.
About 100 companies have offered 1,200 traineeships under the Professional Skills Programme Traineeship, which equips trainees with relevant job experience to boost their employability.
The number of traineeships to be offered rose from 2,500 to 3,000 over two years.
Under the SPUR-Jobs scheme, which co-funds companies to recruit and train local workers, 50 companies have applied to recruit 1,200 workers.
Going forward, the government, labour movement and employers have pledged to make SPUR more effective.
- CNA/yb
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