Make clear plans to train local talent first before SOL inclusion, industries told

Manpower Ministry said the list is not the sole strategy to address the talent gap.

Amidst the talent crunch across all industries, Ministry of Manpower Tan See Leng declared that industries should make an effort to develop a local skilled workforce before being included in the shortage occupation list (SOL).

In a parliament response, Tan clarified that SOL is not the sole strategy to address the talent shortage in Singapore.

“Whilst the SOL helps companies access foreign professionals to plug immediate skills gaps and seize economic opportunities, it must also be complemented by robust efforts by industry to train up and place locals into these well-paying jobs,” said Tan.

The Manpower Ministry and the Ministry of Trade and Industry will also review occupations for 

Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) SOL is based on three criteria, first, the strategic importance of the occupation to Singapore’s economic priorities, second, the degree and nature of labour shortage, and third, the sector’s commitment to developing the local pipeline to address these shortages.

Labour shortages are also reviewed based on a set of quantitative indicators, these data are from MOM’s Job Vacancy Survey, and data from the MyCareersFuture job portal on job applications and vacancies.