REACH’s Discussion Corner

The Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) is a new 2-year tripartite programme to help companies and workers manage the economic downturn and invest in skills for the recovery. First announced by the Prime Minister at the People’s Action Party’s annual party conference over the weekend, SPUR will be funded by the Government at a cost of $600 million over 2 years.

The objectives of SPUR are:

(i)  Cut Costs and Save Jobs - Help companies manage excess manpower and reduce retrenchment;

(ii)  Reskill and Upskill - Help local workers, including those retrenched, upgrade skills and convert to new jobs; and

(iii) Build Capabilities for Recovery - Strengthen our manpower capabilities to better position our workforce for the upturn.
SPUR will leverage on the extensive national continuing education and training (CET) system to bring together a full range of skills upgrading programmes with enhanced financial support that companies and workers can tap on. The number of training places at CET Centres will be doubled from 110,000 in FY08 to 220,000 in FY09, and will provide pathways for workers of all levels, from rank and file workers to Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs), to upgrade their skills. Training will also cater to workers across different industries and skills levels, and will be modular to meet employers’ and workers’ needs.

Both employers and workers can expect to benefit from the scheme. Employers can tap on SPUR to reduce manpower costs while saving jobs, by sending workers for training, providing higher course fee subsidies, and higher absentee payroll for local workers' training at CET Centres. In addition, the scheme will support local workers, including retrenched and unemployed workers, in re-skilling and upgrading their skills so that they can upgrade themselves or convert to new jobs.

Click here for the Press Release issued by the Ministry of Manpower.

Are you confident that SPUR will enable companies and workers to manage the economic downturn and invest in skills for the economic recovery?

Would you be keen to tap on SPUR to upgrade your skills?

Please share your views with us. 

Please note that this thread will expire on 21 Dec 08.

Dear fellow countrymen,

                                      I listened to the live telecast this morning throughout.

                                       I am highly impressed by our  Labour Chief Mr Lim Swee Say's clarity in thought and passionate in trying to help workers both employed and retrenched. With him and PM Lee around, Singapore is more than capable of riding through this financial stormy sea.

                                       Undoubtedly, SPUR is a very wll thought out scheme. 

                                       Just mark my word, Singapore will be one point up when recovery returns. More countries will descend here to learn how we resolve difficult national and global problems.

                                        Be thankful that we have Minister of Mr Lim Swee Say's calibre. While we can sleep soundly, our poor Mr Lim is thinking of solving our national problem.

                                        I will pray for his good health.

WARMEST REGARDS

Dear Cindy Tan,

                        Please log on http://www.ntuclearninghub.com/funding.asp

                        Many of your concerns can be found in this wedsite.

                        If there are doubts, I suggest you call those in charege.

WARMEST REGARDS