THANKS to the Jobs Credit scheme, the number of retrenchments has slowed down and many workers still have jobs, despite the difficult economic environment.

Jobs Credit has effectively put money into all businesses, and has provided those which are doing poorly with a lifeline.

Some businesses which are not doing too badly have used their Jobs Credit funds to reward their workers by increasing their pay or putting them into training resources.

However, one is left to wonder why money is being pumped into companies that are thriving.

In future, the Government could perhaps create a more targeted scheme, in which only struggling businesses benefit.

Those which are doing well do not need taxpayers' money.

The Government needs to focus on businesses that are suffering so that resources can be used effectively.

Jobs Credit has helped shore up ailing businesses and kept workers in employment.

This is to be lauded. Workers also benefited from the training allowances which accompanied such courses.

The allowances provided them not only with much-needed financial relief, but, more importantly, gave them a sense of dignity and self-respect.

That aside, it is not clear how the scheme has helped those who were retrenched.

However, aside from retraining, there is more that could be done for jobless workers. There are unemployed workers who have gone for upgrading courses, but who are still unable to find jobs.

Many of them have difficulty picking themselves up after a prolonged period of unemployment, such as over 12 months.

Community Development Councils and the Workforce Development Agency could beef up their career-development consultancy services so that PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) can benefit from their assistance.

Many jobless professionals are simply lost after being laid off from their jobs after 20 years.

Despite the fact that retraining courses are heavily subsidised by the Government, some do not take them up because of personal reasons.

Some find that they miss out on interview opportunities while they are attending courses, while there are those who still have problems finding a job after they have completed their training stint.

They then sink into depression as they feel that the courses have not improved their employment prospects.

I hope that part of similar schemes in future would go towards providing an allowance for retrenched workers.

The Jobs Credit Scheme is an excellent intitiative but it needs to be more targeted. Retrenched workers also need to be given a shot in the arm.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah

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