Number of employed jobseekers drop to 2,800 in 1Q11

The figure is down from the 4,800 job seekers place in the same period last year.

According to the Community Development Councils, placement figures were higher in 2010 due to a larger stock of job seekers coupled with the surge in new jobs in a recovering economy.

On the other hand, between January and March 2011, over 6,400 residents registered for training and employment assistance at the career centres located at the Community Development Councils. This is a slight increase from the 5,800 residents who registered in the same period in 2010, a result of more residents approaching the CDC for training-specific requests, with an increased awareness of training opportunities such as the national Workfare Training Support Scheme.

With the improved economy and national drive to raise productivity, the career centres have made targeted efforts to upgrade the skills of workers and enhance their employability through leveraging on nationally recognised courses under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system. For the period January to March 2011, over 2,000 residents were referred for training, a 33% increase from the 1,500 referred for training in the same period last year.