244,000 workers enrolled, trained under SPUR programme
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 18 November 2009 1413 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The number of workers undergoing the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) has been going up, said Minister of State for Manpower and Trade & Industry Lee Yi Shyan on Wednesday.

Just last month, another 11,000 more workers committed to the training programme, bringing the total enrolled and trained so far to 244,000 workers. Nearly two-thirds of them come from some 3,400 companies.

However, Mr Lee is concerned about the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sending their workers for training.

According to a survey of employer-supported training conducted by the Manpower Ministry earlier this year, the number of small establishments that provide structured training fell from 66 per cent in 2006 to 57 per cent last year.

Mr Lee said this underscored the need to support SMEs to help them upgrade their workforce and educate them on the benefits of training.

He made these points at the opening of the Singapore Media Academy.


- CNA/so