Singapore Plans to Help Retrenched Workers Switch Sectors and Find Jobs Faster

Published 2026-11-01

A new Minister of State for Manpower, Foo Cexiang, has said that Singapore will help workers who lose their jobs to move into different industries. He also said the government wants to improve how jobseekers are matched with employers, especially for people who have learned new skills through reskilling.

Reskilling means learning new abilities so that a person can do a different type of work. Many Singapore workers have been retrenched in recent years because of changes in the economy and new technology. For these workers, finding a new job in a different sector can be difficult, because their existing experience may not match what employers are looking for. Mr Foo's remarks suggest that the government is focusing on helping these workers move more smoothly from one industry to another.

According to the report, the aim is to shorten the time it takes for reskilled workers to find employment. Better job matching could help employers find suitable candidates more quickly, and help workers avoid long periods without work. The report did not give full details of the specific programmes or timelines, so it is not yet clear how the changes will work in practice.

For Singapore residents who are thinking about changing careers or who have recently lost a job, these plans may bring new support in the future. Workers who are interested in reskilling are encouraged to follow updates from the Ministry of Manpower to learn about available schemes and how to apply.

Sources: The Straits Times

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