YOUNG executives are happy that the Government will pump in more money to continuing education and skills upgrading.

At the same time, they are worried about the rising costs of living, especially in the property and transport sectors.

Three readers in their 20s and 30s my paper spoke to welcomed the slew of goodies given out during the Budget announcement last Friday.

They are at different stages of their lives - auditor Deng Limin, 22, has been at her first job for six months; manager William Koo, 31, is expecting his first child next month; software entrepreneur Paddy Tan, 33, is about to launch two new start-ups.

In addition to the top-up of $800 million to the Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund, the Government will subsidise up to 40 per cent of the cost of part-time degree programmes at the four universities here for those who have not had government-subsidised undergraduate education.

Said Mr Koo: "Working adults should continually upgrade ourselves when it comes to our knowledge and skill sets."

Mr Tan, who employs 15 people, agreed: "It's good for employers like us because having a degree opens up our employees' perspectives and boosts their confidence."

Other benefits that pleased the trio were the one-off growth dividend of between $100 and $400 for each adult Singaporean and the Medisave top-up of up to $450 for citizens aged over 51.

However, more could have been done, Mr Koo felt, to help those having children as well as young couples looking to buy their own home. He said: "In this aspect, the Budget did not take into account the current property situation."

Mr Koo is currently living with his in-laws and has been searching for his own flat - but prices are "ridiculously high".

Also see:
» The impact of Budget on us