Welcome back, dear readers! How was your 2023?
Uncertain times may lie ahead in 2024, especially with the ongoing challenges such as the unresolved situation in Ukraine and some slowdown in China’s growth.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)’s final economy report for the year, growth in 2023 will come in around 1%, with export demand still weak.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, and better times are ahead, according to the report.
“Looking ahead, the expected pickup in real GDP growth over the course of 2024 should lend some support to employment growth towards the end of 2024 or early 2025,” it shared.
“At the same time, the Government remains committed to continuing to support workers and jobseekers such as through Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programmes, and also to helping companies make their jobs more productive and attractive to jobseekers through the Support for Job Redesign under Productivity Solutions Grant!”
Singaporean workers will get help to reskill and upskill
During the National Day 2023 Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared that there were plans to support Singapore workers who lost their jobs as market trends shifted, often due to automation or artificial intelligence (AI).
Of course, many have caregiving obligations that could make it hard to find time to reskill and upskill, which is why the government will strengthen SkillsFuture to help, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong added.
Introduced in 2015, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) aims to build a culture of skills development and lifelong learning. In 2022, about 560,000 individuals and 20,000 enterprises participated and benefitted from SSG-supported programmes.
DPM Wong revealed that government spending on continuing education and training has almost doubled since its launch in 2015 to nearly $1bn in 2023.
Some of the key initiatives being looked at include:
- Top-ups of SkillsFuture credit for mid-career workers.
- Training allowances for mid-career workers who take time off for longer or full-time courses.
- Support for career planning and coaching.
- Better job matching to help Singapore workers move into jobs that reflect their skills.
DPM Wong elaborated on support for training allowances, saying: “(We understand) when you take time off, not just for one, two days, but for months, who is going to pay your salary?”
“So, training allowances will help them pay their bills while they take time off to study and to get a significant new injection of skills,” he concluded.
Amidst this backdrop, we’re glad that our career articles have been useful for our local workers and jobseekers.
In fact, local jobseekers and workers clicked on over 17 million of our articles in 2023! It was also great to see that our efforts in producing more interesting content on video, podcasts and quizzes were well-received by Singaporeans, with our podcast page even making the top ten list below!
Here a round-up of the most popular content on our site this year, and why they’re worth a read if you missed out on them earlier!
To end 2023, we couldn’t say it better than what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during this year’s National Day Rally: “We can certainly expect more job disruptions. More of our workers will be affected by such disruptions and may lose their jobs several times throughout their careers.”
“(But) the Government will give more support to workers, to help you adapt and upskill, to stay ahead of the game!”
Unsure whether your wages have kept pace with the industry? Here are some helpful tips to get you on the right track. Read here.
For Singaporeans who expect to be working till later in their lives, here’s a look at which careers will suit a later retirement. Read here.
Here’s a roundup of the top 10 roles that Singaporean employers are hiring for, and a gauge of how much they’ll pay. Read here.
Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or considering a career change, the logistics and supply chain management industry is a sound choice. Read here.
Yes, the Singapore government is aware upskilling is a juggle for workers and jobseekers with family commitments. Here’s their strategy to help. Read here.
Looking for a big salary? Discover the responsibilities of sought-after high-salary jobs in Singapore to understand more about these roles and corresponding wages. Read here.
If you’re looking for a job that allows you to make a positive impact on the world, perhaps the sustainability sector is the right place to begin your search. Read here.
In his 2022 National Day message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared thoughts on Singapore’s economic outlook, and what local workers need to do to stay competitive. Read here.
Don’t rush into a resignation. Consider these essential tips to ensure you make the right decision regarding your financial and professional future. Read here.
Build your career with job search strategies and career advice with our latest podcasts. Listen to them here!
*Non-unique visitors in 2023
