Publication of Information Forecasting Major Supply-Demand Mismatch in Specific Job Categories
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Government will publish forecasts regarding major manpower supply-demand mismatches in specific job categories alongside Industry Transformation Roadmaps. Mr Pritam Singh raised this inquiry, and Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say responded that the Government identifies essential skills through Industry Transformation Maps and Skills Frameworks for 23 major sectors. Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say highlighted that the Adapt and Grow initiative provides training and wage support, while Careers Connect and a revamped National Jobs Bank offer enhanced matching services. Additionally, mandatory retrenchment notifications enable the Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore to provide timely employment assistance and relevant training to displaced local workers. This approach aims to help workers and companies stay relevant and seize opportunities while staying responsive to rapid economic restructuring.
Transcript
10 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Government intends to publish information forecasting any major supply-demand mismatch in specific job categories in conjunction with the roll-out of the various Industry Transformation Roadmaps.
Mr Lim Swee Say: The rapid pace of technological change and keen global competition will continue to drive the faster pace of economic restructuring globally as well as here at home. To minimise mismatches in manpower supply and demand, we have identified and will continue to identify new skills needed for our people to remain employable. This is done through formulation of the Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) and Skills Frameworks for 23 major sectors in our economy. The respective ITMs and Skills Frameworks will be released progressively when completed.
Our approach is to be nimble and responsive as industries transform, so as to help workers and companies stay relevant and seize opportunities in the future economy. Under the Adapt and Grow initiative, training and wage support are provided to help jobseekers overcome mismatches in skills, jobs or expectations. There are also career matching services to address "missed matches" by connecting jobseekers with job opportunities.
The Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have also stepped up efforts to help jobseekers get timely information and advice on job opportunities. For example, WSG recently launched Careers Connect to provide jobseekers with an expanded suite of customised career counselling and matching services. We will also be transforming the National Jobs Bank into an online jobs marketplace to better enable various groups of jobseekers to find suitable opportunities.
In addition, WSG is proactively reaching out to workers who have been retrenched. The implementation of mandatory retrenchment notifications since 1 January 2017 has enabled WSG to provide affected local workers with more timely assistance to find alternative employment and relevant training to enhance their employability.