Since the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, more companies in Singapore are embracing flexible work arrangements. According to a recent update in Parliament by Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang on March 7, the proportion of firms offering flexible work arrangements has increased from 68.1% in 2023 to 72.7% in 2024.
Recognizing the importance of flexible work arrangements for women and caregivers, the government is enhancing support through workforce reskilling initiatives. Enhancements to the Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs) will now provide support to mid-career new hires and existing employees in flexible roles, including part-timers, starting from April 1, 2025.
Previously limited to full-time roles, the CCPs offer salary support to employers who reskill their employees for growth job roles across various sectors. With the enhancements, employers can now access funding of up to 90% of an employee’s salary during training, capped at S$7,500 (US$5,620) per month, to reskill individuals into growth roles, including part-time positions. Employers can register on the Workforce Singapore website to take advantage of this opportunity.
In addition to the CCP enhancements, the government has implemented other measures to support flexible work arrangements, such as the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests launched in April 2024. The Workplace Fairness Bill, passed earlier this year, aims to protect against discrimination in employment decisions based on five key characteristics, including race, age, and nationality.
Furthermore, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng announced the launch of a Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development to raise HR standards and professionals’ capabilities. This workgroup will focus on strengthening HR practices, introducing national standards, and helping companies maximize their workforce potential to support business growth.
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