From setback to success: Alvin Lim’s journey
When Alvin Lim was made redundant from his customer operations manager role at a travel agency in 2019, he tried to return to the semiconductor industry, where he had prior experience. Unfortunately, his attempts were unsuccessful.
Yet, Alvin Lim didn’t give up. Despite repeated setbacks, he persevered in his job search. That was what mattered most, and he reaped favourable results for his career journey.
With guidance from a WSG career coach and support from a counsellor, Alvin secured a contract position as a surveyor team leader. And what’s more, that contract job turned out to be the lifebuoy he needed — because he impressed his boss in that job so much that his contract was extended.
Alvin’s story is not the only example of how perseverance in making the small steps can lead to big results.
Turning downtime into upskilling: Ng Puay Kie’s experience
Ng Puay Kie, a seasoned freelance advertising account director in her 50s, found herself unemployed longer than expected after she decided to leave her full-time job in December 2019. She had initially wanted to take a break for about two months, which turned into unemployment for over nine months.
This is not to say she didn’t try hard. Puay Kie had signed up for job alerts on multiple job sites, applied for various contract and part-time roles, and tapped on her network for opportunities. Though her efforts yielded interviews, she didn’t receive any job offers.
Her job search difficulties were also compounded by the challenging business climate brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, one of the roles she applied for was put on hold. As such, her short career break turned into a full-time staying at home.
Yet, Puay Kie still saw the value in upskilling and chose to take online courses to increase her employability, when the time comes for her to return to the workforce. “Since I am at home, it’s better to do something that will enhance my professional value for the days ahead.”
One of the courses she took was a six-month digital marketing course called the Skills Ignition SG – Grow with Google programme, which provided her with a monthly training allowance.
“Upskilling is something I need to do to learn new things and ride through the uncertainty in the hopes of better possibilities,” she said. “At least I am giving myself more options jobwise.”
Support for jobseekers: The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme
Recognising the challenges faced by involuntarily unemployed individuals, the Singapore government rolled out the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme in April 2025. This initiative provides temporary financial support of up to $6,000 over six months to help individuals stay motivated and financially afloat during their job search.
The scheme is designed to support those who are unemployed due to:
- Retrenchment,
- Business cessation,
- Dismissals, or
- Termination due to illness, injury, or accident.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Have earned an average gross monthly income of $5,000 or less in the past year,
- Have been employed in Singapore for at least six months in the last 12 months.
The JS scheme encourages active participation in job-seeking activities. Points are awarded when jobseekers complete eligible tasks, including:
- Attending career coaching sessions,
- Using CareersFinder to chart a career path,
- Attending job fairs, seminars, or workshops,
- Updating your resume on MyCareersFuture.
As long as the minimum number of points is achieved each month, participants receive a monthly payout. While it doesn’t replace your previous income, it offers a meaningful buffer to support your search and keep you engaged.
Every step counts
Whether you’re feeling weary or unnoticed in your job hunt journey, schemes like the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme aim to make the journey less daunting. As seen in Alvin and Puay Kie’s stories, it’s often the small and steady steps – staying open to new opportunities, investing in upskilling and staying engaged – that lead to the next breakthrough.
No matter how uncertain things feel right now, help is available – and with the right mindset and support, a fresh start may be just around the corner.
