More professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) are expected to be adversely affected in this recession than during previous recessions, Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said yesterday.
This is why the Government is rolling out more training programmes to target this group, he said.
Among them are the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP), which will help to train and place mid-career professionals in jobs in growing sectors that are hiring staff.
Mr Gan launched one such programme yesterday.
The PCP for tourism will allow workers to pursue qualifications in that sector. The year-long programme will feature both theory and practical classes and include internships with tourism outlets in Sentosa.
Trainees will also get a stipend.
Mr Gan said that over the last month, four PCPs in pre-school education, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health care and workplace safety and health have been developed.
Three other programmes in other industries are currently in place and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) plans to roll out about 15 more such programmes this year.
Other measures to help PMETs include increasing the frequency of workshops which will share tips, knowledge and skills in job search and career transitions.
WDA and community development council career centres which provide services such as career- personality profiling and job referrals are also beefing up their resources.
The fate of PMETs has worried many.
As of the third quarter of last year, 2,248 of this group of workers were retrenched, according to the Ministry of Manpower.
Last Tuesday, in a letter to The Straits Times Forum page, a reader called for more to be done to help them. He suggested providing them access to programmes like support group activities and job counselling.
In a reply to the letter, National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Josephine Teo pointed out that the recent expansion of funding from 150 to 800 courses for the Skills Programme for Upgrading Resilience (Spur) would encourage companies to train PMETs to do their jobs better and help employers cut cost and save jobs.
Mr Gan said yesterday that it was important to tailor PCPs to fit the needs of this group and to respond to market demand for them.
'PMETs are slightly different from rank and file,' he said.
'The more important thing is to make sure that the training is relevant to the industry needs because if we roll out many programmes just to meet the numbers, and the training is not relevant, after the training, they will still have difficulties finding jobs.'
He added that some PMETs might have to accept an adjustment in salary or position.
'I will encourage them to keep an open mind, to be realistic in their expectations, to be flexible, try something new. And even if it starts a little bit lower, it doesn't matter. Continue to work hard. Opportunities will be there for them to move upwards.'
Training must hit the mark
'PMETs are slightly different from rank and file. The more important thing is to make sure that the training is relevant to the industry needs because if we roll out many programmes just to meet the numbers, and the training is not relevant, after the training, they will still have difficulties finding jobs.'
ACTING MANPOWER MINISTER GAN KIM YONG
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