SINGAPORE: Singapore's self-help groups have stepped up efforts to help the needy weather the economic downturn.

The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) has already said it will ease the income eligibility criteria for its education programme to cover more needy students.

The Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) meanwhile said retraining is an integral part to help those affected.

SINDA's senior director, Raja Segar, said: "There are two ways of going about it. One is to retrain or upgrade your current skills to stay on the job, or for those who have lost their jobs, to get another one quickly."

A new Career Development and Resource Centre has been set up for re-training or finding jobs for the unemployed.

The programme is a collaboration between SINDA, the Workforce Development Agency and Narpani (People's Association Indian Activity Executive Committees Council).

SINDA has also helped ease the financial burden on parents by offering partial or full subsidies to 1,320 students this year - a number that is set to increase in 2009.

The association also plans to give out 2,000 bursaries next year - a 27 per cent increase compared to 2008.

SINDA has also increased the number of food hampers distributed this year by 80 per cent.

As for the Malay-Muslim community, MENDAKI has launched its "Job Ready, Job Steady" programme.

The initiative aims to help the unemployed and low-skilled workers through a jobseekers hotline, seminars and workshops.

The Association of Malay Professionals meanwhile has its Micro Business Programme to help empower the community economically.

The programme gives the disadvantaged opportunities to venture into micro-businesses to supplement their monthly income.

The scheme is opened to those aged 21 to 50 and with a monthly household income of less than$3,500 or $500 per capita.

Aside from undergoing skills training in the area of their choice, which include health, beauty, and spa-related services, they will also be taught the basic skills of managing a micro-business.

And recognising that professionals have also lost jobs in the current crisis, the Eurasian Association plans to offer courses to help this group.

The president of the association, Edward D'Silva, said: "We are planning specific value-added programmes to help them uplift and improve their skills."

The courses, which start in April next year, will be open to all Singaporeans.

- CNA/ir