Increasing Number of SkillsFuture Awards for Singaporeans Aged 40 and Above In View of Economic Slowdown

21 Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider expanding the number of SkillsFuture awards for Singaporeans of age 40 and above in view of the economic slowdown.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The SkillsFuture Study Awards support early to mid-career Singaporeans to deepen their skills in growth sectors or areas of demand. The number of study awards is determined by sectoral lead agencies based on each sector’s manpower and skills needs.

Should economic and labour conditions worsen, the Government will consider introducing additional measures to help employers and employees with training and skills upgrading, so that our workers can acquire the relevant skills to stay employed, or transit to other sectors and companies. This will include Professional Conversion Programmes.