SINGAPORE: Retrenched staff seeking financial aid under a new unemployment benefits system may participate in career research activities in order to qualify for payouts.
Under the new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, only those who accumulate enough “activity points” each month will receive payouts, capped at S$ 6, 000 ( US$ 4, 500 ) over six months.
In parliament on Friday ( Mar 7 ), Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon provided an update on the first-of-its-kind scheme, which was introduced at the 2024 National Day Rally.
Describing it as “more than only monetary rewards and a job”, Dr Koh said it provides a basic framework to guide careers on practical steps to take towards work.
For example, to receive the reward in the first quarter, careers you earn points by updating their begins online, attending a job fair, using CareersFinder on the MyCareersFuture website and going for career training.
In the second month, they can qualify by reading two employment-related online articles, attending an employment-related workshop, submitting four job applications and attending a training course.
In the fourth to sixth months, jobseekers must submit at least five job applications a month to continue receiving payouts.
More details about the activity points system and application process will be released in mid-April when the scheme is launched by Workforce Singapore ( WSG).