Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng: To ask
the Minister for Trade and Industry what is the difference between the existing
SPRING-administered SME Talent Programme and the newly introduced SkillsFuture
Earn and Learn Programme.
Oral Answer by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of
State for Trade and Industry:
1. SkillsFuture
is a national initiative to provide Singaporeans with the opportunities to
develop their fullest potential, regardless of their starting points. The new SkillsFuture Earn & Learn Programme
(ELP) and SPRING’s existing SME Talent Programme (STP) are complementary
programmes that aim to develop our human capital, while at the same time
address our companies’ need for talent, thereby contributing to the larger
goals of SkillsFuture.
2. The
SkillsFuture ELP is a work-study programme that benefits fresh graduates from
Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) and Polytechnics to take on jobs in
both SMEs and non-SMEs. The programme
aims to encourage ITE and polytechnic graduates to enter industries which they
are trained for, by providing them with opportunities to earn an income and
deepen their skills through a mix of institution-based and work-based
training. They will progress after the
programme through clearly-defined career development pathways.
3. The
STP was launched by SPRING in June 2013, to build a strong pipeline of local
talent for our SMEs. SPRING works with key Trade Associations and Chambers
(TACs) to help SMEs reach out and recruit promising students from ITEs,
Polytechnics and Universities. Participating SMEs can engage students through
internship opportunities and study sponsorships. The students will work in the SMEs after
their graduation. SPRING also provides
assistance to SMEs participating in the STP to develop strong HR systems, to
ensure that they offer good careers for the students who join their companies.