NTUC to help PMEs upgrade skill set for job progression

SINGAPORE — Help with job placements was the most sought-after service among the 600 workers who visited the help centres set up for professionals, managers and executives (PMEs).

Nearly two-thirds of these workers were aged 40 and over, said the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), who set up these one-stop centres early last year. To tackle the root of the problem, NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said its PME unit will focus its attention on helping them upgrade their skills so that they are “future-proof”.

“Many of them face challenges pertaining to their current skill set and knowledge,” Mr Tay added, citing a survey by the PME unit in the third quarter of last year, which found that six in 10 faced challenges with regard to their current skill set and knowledge at their current jobs.

The NTUC aims to help them acquire a second skill. For example, bankers could acquire counselling skills and later join the social-service sector, said Mr Tay.

Ms M Ganeshwari, who sought help from a centre late last year and was later offered a position, felt upgrading would help in terms of progression and placement in future.

“(It will) definitely give me an edge that I (have) proved that I upgraded myself and I will stand a better chance in (future) jobs (and) moving up ranks,” she added.

The survey also found that young PMEs — those under 30 — were uncertain about their careers and did not feel confident or competent at their current jobs. Mr Tay said more networking sessions and industry expert series will be organised to help them learn more about the various industries.

At a press conference today (April 2), the NTUC also gave a breakdown on the other areas PMEs sought help with at their two centres.

Apart from the 43 per cent of cases pertaining to help with job placements, about one-third of the 587 cases they handled related to workers seeking to secure their rights at the workplace. Another 11 per cent asked about how to stay employable, while the remaining 10 per cent wanted to find out about membership with the NTUC.

Commenting on the number of PMEs who have sought help at the centres so far, Mr Tay said he is not particularly surprised.

On addressing the issue of job placements, he said the centres work closely with the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and also organises a series of networking events.

Previously, the NTUC had said it wants to boost the PME unionisation rate to at least one in four in the resident workforce over the next few years.