Training for the Unemployed and SkillsFuture
Parliamentary Question, 2 Sep 2019
Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Manpower in each of the last three years (a) what is the training participation rate of unemployed persons, broken down by gender; and (b) what is the utilisation rate of SkillsFuture credits amongst unemployed persons, broken down by gender.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The breakdown of training participation rates of unemployed persons by gender, in each of the last three years, is provided in Table 1. The training participation rate of unemployed males increased significantly from 2016 to 2017, but dipped slightly in 2018. The training participation rate of unemployed females has steadily increased from 2016 to 2018.
We do not have the breakdown of utilisation rate of SkillsFuture Credit by employment status. Since the roll-out of the SkillsFuture Credit in January 2016, its utilisation between genders has been relatively balanced.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Anthea Ong is a Nominated Member of Parliament. (A Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) is a Member of the Parliament of Singapore who is appointed by the President. They are not affiliated to any political party and do not represent any constituency. There are currently nine NMPs in Parliament.)
The multi-sector perspective that comes from her ground immersion of 12 years in different capacities helps her translate single-sector issues and ideas across boundaries without alienating any particular community/group. As an entrepreneur and with many years in business leadership, it is innate in her to discuss social issues with the intent of finding solutions, or at least of exploring possibilities. She champions mental health, diversity and inclusion — and volunteerism in Parliament.
She is also an impact entrepreneur/investor and a passionate mental health advocate, especially in workplace wellbeing. She started WorkWell Leaders Workgroup in May 2018 to bring together top leaders (CXOs, Heads of HR/CSR/D&I) of top employers in Singapore (both public and private) to share, discuss and co-create inclusive practices to promote workplace wellbeing. Anthea is also the founder of Hush TeaBar, Singapore’s 1st silent teabar and a social movement that aims to bring silence, self care and social inclusion into every workplace, every community — with a cup of tea. The Hush Experience is completely led by lovingly-trained Deaf facilitators, supported by a team of Persons with Mental Health Issues (PMHIs).
Follow Anthea Ong on her public page at www.facebook.com/antheaonglaytheng