Here's what mid-career job-hunters can expect this 2022

The gov't prepared a 3- to 12-month programme to help them get employed.

Mid-career workers in Singapore will benefit from career programmes that will help them secure jobs from firms with good hiring opportunities, which will be subsidised as indicated in the Singapore 2022 budget.

In a media release, the Ministry of Finance identified the programmes as SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme - Company Attachment (SGUP-CA).

The SCTP, which is a Train-and-Place scheme, has industry-oriented courses for over three to 12 months which will help individuals get employed in sectors with good hiring opportunities. 

The courses, which will be delivered by Continuing Education and Training Centres and programme partners, will have elements of actual industry experience such as work attachments or industry projects.

Further, the SCTP has improved pre- and post-training support services, such as skills and training advisory to aid individuals in choosing suitable courses, employment facilitation, and career coaching activities. 

Also, it has additional course fee support of up to 95% of total course fees for Singaporeans who meet the following criteria:

• ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance recipients; 
• Workfare Income Supplement recipients;
• Long Term Unemployed; 
• Persons with Disabilities who are registered with SGEnable.

The programme will commence on 1 April 2022, replacing the SGUnited Skills and SGUP - Company Training programmes, which are expiring on 31 March 2022. 

Meanwhile, the SGUP-CA, an attach-and-train scheme, offers full-time attachment opportunities of between four and six months to help mid-career job-hunters in expanding their professional networks and gaining “meaningful industry-relevant experience.”

According to the government, the majority of trainees on the SGUP-CA have been successful in employment after the attachment. It also seeks to make SGUP-CA a permanent program.

Trainees of the SGUP-CA will receive an allowance of up to $3,800 every month for the duration of the attachment, which will be funded by the government and the host organisation. 

Under the Singapore Budget 2022, the Singapore government seeks to invest in upskilling and reskilling workers. It also aims to double eligible employers from 40,000 to 80,000.

Amidst the vulnerable global economy due to the pandemic, Singapore’s economy has rebounded during the worst recession since its independence and is expected to grow by 3% to 5% in 2022.