NTUC U Family has launched a work trial, targeted at economically inactive local professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) keen to return to the workforce.
The Returner Work Trial, a key feature of the Returners Programme, provides employment opportunities for local PMETs who have been out of work for at least two years. The initiative aims to ease them back into the workforce, and for employers to access the pool of talent.
The announcement was made at a U Family networking event for employers and returners on 27 July 2017.
With the work trial, employers will be able to assess the returner’s fit for a position before offering a permanent job or a contract of at least 12 months. In turn, returners will have the opportunity to plug in skills gaps and refresh their skills.
“The world of work is changing at a greater speed than ever before. At the same time, PMETs who took a break from their careers just to provide their undivided attention to family and personal matters should be recognised by society and employers alike. The talent in this pool is immense.
“Much more can be done to value the contributions and sacrifices made by these professionals so that they can make a seamless transition back to the workforce. With the Returner Work Trial, we hope we have opened the door for these returners to reignite their careers. We look forward to working with them, and supporting them via the Returners Programme as well as other initiatives that the Labour Movement offers,” said NTUC Industry Transformation and Productivity Director Desmond Choo, who also champions women and family issues.
Returner Work Trial
Key features of the work trial include a trial duration of six months, employers offering a structured on-the-job training, possible flexible work arrangements on top of the permanent job position at the end of the work trial.
During the work trial, returners receive a minimum training allowance of $2,500 a month – a cost shared between Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the employer. WSG will contribute $1,500, while the employer will give a minimum of $1,000 for each returner.
Employers will also get an added one-off incentive of $3,000 when they retain a returner for at least three months after the work trial.
WSG CEO Tan Choon Shian said that the agency is glad to support the Returner Work Trial, adding that the initiative complements the Government’s efforts to make the workforce more inclusive by extending work opportunities to back-to-work individuals.
Sustainable Strategy
Earlier this year, the Labour Movement mooted the concept of a “returnship programme” as part of its Budget 2017 recommendations to help more PMETs outside of the workforce to return. According to NTUC, such a programme will help meet the country’s future and current manpower demands. The concept has since evolved to become the Returners Programme.
The Returners Programme kicked off on 7 June 2017 with an employer-returner networking event.
Applications for the Returner Work Trial will start on 1 September 2017. Employers or returners keen to participate in the work trial or other initiatives under the Returners Programme, can contact NTUC U Family at returners@ntuc.org.sg. For more information, visit www.ufamily.org.sg.
