Written Answer to PQ on Support for Jobseekers Facing Longer Job Searches

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1212 OF 2026 FOR SITTING ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION NO. 1874 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Ms Elysa Chen

To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) what Government support, if any, is available to residents who have engaged National Trades Union Congress’ Employment and Employability Institute’s (e2i) job-matching services for over a year without securing employment; and (b) how the Ministry is strengthening case management and skills-matching support for this group of long-engaged jobseekers.

Answer:

The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) oversees employment, career and skills support for jobseekers and works with partner organisations, including NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), to provide career matching services.

2. Most jobseekers who receive employment support through SWDA and its partners secure new jobs within a year.

3. We recognise that a prolonged job search can be discouraging. For jobseekers who require more time or support, career coaches will work with them to review their career goals, identify viable career pathways, broaden their job search and assess relevant training needs.

4. Beyond career coaching, jobseekers can tap on a broad range of placement and training programmes to strengthen their employability and transition into new roles. These include Career Conversion Programme (CCP) and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP), which support jobseekers to reskill or upskill for new job opportunities. Employers hiring long-term unemployed Singaporeans through CCPs receive enhanced salary support of up to 90%, while long-term unemployed Singaporeans who participate in SCTP receive up to 95% subsidy on their course fees.

5. The Government will continue to strengthen employment, career and skills support, with the formation of SWDA as an important step to bring together employment facilitation and skills development capabilities. This will enable more coordinated, personalised and targeted support for jobseekers, including those who undergo longer job searches.