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SINGAPORE: Hiring slowed in the second quarter of 2020, but did not stop, according to a survey conducted by the Department of Labor Research and Statistics of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Despite weaker hiring sentiments, “a good number” of laid off workers returned to employment: About seven in 10 laid off workers re-entered employment within a month, MOM said in its latest employment status report on Monday. (September 7th).
Most of those who were laid off and found new jobs did not experience “significant pay cuts,” defined by MOM as a decrease in earnings of at least 5 percent.
SLOW HIRING BUT NOT LEFT
The observations were based on a study of 2,160 residents who were laid off in the first quarter of 2020, using the same methodology as a study on workers laid off in the first quarter of 2018.
The 2020 study showed that 39 percent had returned to employment in June 2020, compared with 47 percent who did the same in June 2018.
“This suggests that the job prospects for the laid-off workers were maintained, despite their job search taking place in a much weaker job market and within the ‘breaker’ period during which many activities were disrupted.” said MOM.
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Professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET) and those in their 30s and 40s were more likely to have found work, according to the study.
About half of the laid-off workers surveyed have transferable skills that allowed them to switch to a different industry, while 60 percent of those who found a job did not accept a “substantial pay cut.”
A graph showing the change in occupation and industry among residents who were laid off in the first quarter of 2020 and found employment. (Image: Ministry of Manpower)
These findings suggested that hiring slowed in the second quarter of 2020, but did not stop, MOM said.
“Despite the weakness in the job market, the majority of those who found work did so relatively quickly with a modest impact on pay,” MOM said.
To help companies retain workers during this period, the government launched the Employment Support Plan (JSS), which was introduced in the first budget in February. More than S $ 16 billion in JSS payments have been disbursed, benefiting more than 2 million local workers in more than 150,000 companies, the Labor Ministry said.
“With the JSS extended through March 2021, most companies will receive salary support for 17 months to help them retain as many workers as possible,” said MOM.
Another S $ 1 billion was also set aside to help companies hire locals under the Job Growth Incentives (JGI) scheme, which provides salary support to help companies that continue to do well. to present their hiring plans and grow their local workforce from September 2020 to February 2021.
With the extension of JSS, MOM said that this was a “big boost” for job creation for locals.
“However, we recognize that despite the best efforts of companies and the coverage of JSS and JGI, some employers may still need to make adjustments to their businesses to stay viable, including making staff reductions,” said the Ministry of Human Resources.
“The government will take active steps to ensure that workers who faced displacement can find alternative employment and recover quickly.”
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SUPPORT TO WORKERS, COMPANIES IN THE TOURISM SECTOR
With global travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19, MOM said the tourism sector had to “pivot quickly” to capture new business opportunities as it prepares for an eventual recovery.
Many employers have tried to retain workers by redesigning jobs and training existing employees to take on new roles.
In February 2020, Workforce Singapore (WSG) implemented two new training programs in the tourism sector as part of the COVID-19 support measures for businesses and workers.
These include the Job Redesign Reskilling program for the hospitality industry and the Digital Marketing Rekilling program for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), Attractions and Tour and Travel sectors.
“This served to minimize the potential downsizing and to ensure that the worst affected tourism sector has the skilled workforce it needs to meet business demand when it returns,” MOM said.
At the end of August, more than 1,400 workers at some 100 hotels and tourism companies were, or are being, trained and reassigned to new or “higher value” roles.
Employers in the tourism sector can also take advantage of the Enhanced Training Support Package to retrain and upgrade their workforce. A total of 28,000 training places have been filled.
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TOURISM SECTOR
Although the demand for hiring has decreased in the last six months, some companies in the tourism sector were able to move into new markets and products, as well as discover new areas of growth.
For example, with working from home the default option, some hotels began offering packages for people to work from a hotel with easy access to amenities.
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There were also opportunities for tour operators to adjust their national tours to include themes that appeal to Singaporeans, MOM said.
With virtual events becoming more common, the MICE sector also began to see an increase in alternative solutions, such as exploring hybrid events and using technology to host meetings and conferences.
The move to these new areas meant renewed job opportunities and also created opportunities for workers and job seekers who were able to embark on new careers within the sector, MOM said.
“Job seekers who are interested in entering the tourism sector or existing workers in the tourism sector looking to retrain for new opportunities can take advantage of SGUnited’s jobs and skills programs,” the ministry added.
Since April, more than 2,400 job opportunities, internships, business links and training have been made available, offered by more than 220 companies in the tourism sector.
Approximately 41 percent of job, internship, and company link opportunities are in PMET positions.
Graph showing SGUnited employment, internship, business relationship and training opportunities in the tourism sector. (Image: Ministry of Manpower)
Between April and July 2020, more than 900 people found jobs or took on new roles in tourism through SGUnited’s Jobs and Skills program.
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About 87 percent were mid-career people who participated in career conversion programs for new hires or to train existing workers for new jobs. About 51 percent of these people were 40 years old or older.
Recent and recent graduates, as well as mid-career job seekers who lack relevant experience or skills, but have a keen interest in entering the tourism sector, can take advantage of internships or company bonding under the SGUnited Traineeships and SGUnited Mid-Career Pathway programs.
They can also take tourism courses under the SGUnited Skills program to receive training to take on certain roles. Courses in areas such as digital marketing, social media marketing and business analysis are also available, which will better prepare job seekers to take on new roles in the tourism sector, the ministry said.
“MOM and WSG will continue to support job seekers and workers, and match them with meaningful opportunities,” he said.
To help job seekers navigate the opportunities offered by the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, WSG conducted 50 outreach and engagement activities in Singapore in August.
This allowed 12,000 job seekers to meet with recruitment companies and obtain career guidance to enhance their job search.
SGUnited’s upcoming job and skills information kiosks will be held at Lot One Shoppers’ Mall and Causeway Point from September 11-13, 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM. The SGUnited Jobs and Skills Series will be held at Oasis Terrace @ Punngol on September 25-26, 10 a.m. M. A 7 p. M.
