Only Less Than 1/3 of Available Job / Training Opportunities Taken by S’poreans So Far

Lest you’re not aware, the Government has launched a series of job support schemes to help unemployed workers find jobs during this tough times.

One of the many schemes include the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package.

Launched in May 2020 as part of the Fortitude budget, the aim of this $2 billion scheme was to create 100,000 jobs, traineeships and training opportunities.

With so many people losing their job, you’d have thought that it’d be oversubscribed, right?

Well, it turns out that out of this vast number of opportunities provided, only a small percentage of the vacancies has been filled.

Over 33,000 Positions Filled

According to the 8^th Edition of the Jobs Situation Report released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), 33,100 jobseekers were placed into job openings under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package as at end August.

There is an increase of 9,100 as compared to 24,000 jobseekers being placed as at end-July.

In contrast to the 117,500 available openings (yes, more than what is targetted) as at end August, the number of filled positions is less than one third of the vacancies provided.

Mismatch in Expectations and Skills Led to Short Fall

The main reason for the shortfall?

Mismatch in expectations and skills.

This means some employers are looking at filling their positions with a candidate who has an exact match to the skill sets for the role.

While for employees, some are hesitant to move into roles which they are unfamiliar with.

In other words, some employers and employees are choosey lah.

According to the report, jobseekers may be placed more quickly if they are prepared to consider less familiar roles or sectors. For instance, individuals who are prepared to make a mid-career switch to take advantage of opportunities in growth areas.

The MOM urges employers to focus on the candidate’s transferrable skills and tap on government funding to bridge the skills gaps.

In terms of the number of short term and long term job vacancies filled, a higher number  found employment in short-term jobs, with 16,210 being employed.

While for long-term jobs, the figure stands at 13,370.

This is because employers tend to take a longer time to fill long term job positions, as they identify jobseekers with the best fit with the jobs and their organisations.

Top 5 Sectors with the Highest Number of Placements

5 sectors were identified with the most matches into opportunities.

They are Information and Communications, Food Services, Professional Services, Healthcare, Finance and Insurance.

This means the five sectors have the most jobseekers matched with opportunities.

This trend was also observed in end-July.

Out of these top five sectors, Food Services placed the highest number of jobseekers into long-term jobs such as Restaurant Managers, Business Development Managers and Bakers.

While the Healthcare sector placed the highest number of jobseekers into short-term jobs, with the number standing at 750.

More details on the SGUnited Jobs and Skills package can be found here.

So if you’re unemployed, do note that there are still lots of opportunities available for you.