After 12 years in aviation, I left the secure nest of an industry that I was familiar with to join Dr Wealth. My timing was fortuitous as just 6 months after the career switch, COVID-19 hit and Aviation became one of the worst impacted sector with job losses and pay cuts affecting almost everyone across the industry.
This story is not unique to Aviation. Just last month, Robinsons announced the closure of its last 2 stores in Singapore. This follows on the heels of closure news from Bakerzin, Topshop, Esprit and many other familiar businesses that have folded since the COVID-19 crisis hit.
Despite the phased re-opening of the economy, unemployment rates and retrenchments are still on an uptrend. Advanced estimates released by Ministry of Manpower for 3Q 2020 indicated that overall unemployment deteriorated by another 0.2% to 3.6% in September 2020, surpassing that of the high of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Resident and Citizen unemployment rates are also close to hitting GFC highs at 4.7% and 4.9% respectively.
In September alone, there were 112,500 unemployed residents, of which 97,700 were citizens, and over 9,100 retrenchments carried out.
Such news have become all too familiar in recent months as increasingly, businesses and Singaporeans find themselves and/or their operations vulnerable to the uncertainties that lie ahead. If you (or your loved ones) find yourselves in such a position, please do not lose hope. There is in fact a slew of government initiatives and interventions put together to help you recover and bounce back from such setbacks.
LifeSG App – access all your options, in one place
The first place you can head to for more information is the LifeSG app, which was created as part of a Smart Nation initiative to support citizens’ needs at key junctures of their lives.
Think of LifeSG as your quick access to government services, with more than 40 government digital services and other bundled resources available at your fingertips.
You can refer to the employment support guides which are easily accessible on the Home page of the app. Swipe right to see all 3 employment support guides that are available.
Retrenchment Benefits and Measures – Understanding Retrenchment
Screenshot from LifeSG app
The first employment support module available on the Home page of LifeSG app highlights the mitigation measures that employers should consider before they head down the path of staff retrenchment. These measures can include tapping on government grants for training of staff, redeployment, or implementing other cost saving measures like shorter working week, no-pay leave or temporary layoffs.
As an employee, you can also find out more about your employment rights and retrenchment benefits, which all employees are entitled to as long as they have worked for the company for at least 2 years. While the amount payable is subject to the terms of your employment contract or collective agreement, the prevailing norm is at least 2 weeks to 1 month’s salary per year of service.
Career Support: Get help with job search
Being retrenched can be harrowing and the process of re-entering the workforce can seem daunting at first. LifeSG can help as the app is a one-stop shop with resources available for every single stage of your job search, available under the “Support for Your Job Search” employment module.
Start by doing a deep-dive into your interest, passions and values to discover what drives you. Use the free digital tools available online to plan your next career move:
- MySkillsFuture has a collection of free self-assessment tools
- SkillsFuture or NTUC e2i hold regular online webinar and workshops
If you are Singaporean or PR, get complimentary career guidance at Careers Connect, e2i centres or career matching providers located around the island where Career Coaches will help you personalise your career plans and support you with in-depth training and career advice. If you have been retrenched, sign up for the complimentary one-day Virtual Career Restarter Workshops where you can learn interview skills and personal branding.
And when you feel ready, kick-start your re-entry into the workforce by exploring the existing job opportunities via MyCareersFuture portal. There, you’ll find close to 100,000 jobs, training and attachment opportunities which has been created under the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package. Fresh graduates can join the SGUnited Traineeship Programme while mid-career jobseekers can embark on attachments with the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme. There are also about 100 Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP) available for mid-career seekers looking to switch career pathways into high demand occupations.
These programmes aims to place you with host organisations in training positions to gain valuable on-the-job experience which can help you transition to a permanent position when the economy recovers.
You can also attend career events organised by Workforce Singapore (WSG) or e2i to reach out and network with potential employers.
It is possible that your job search process will take a while. Why not use the time to learn a new skill and reposition yourself for a different career pathway? The rapid adoption of digital technology as companies pivot and transform to deal with the COVID-19 challenges have created plenty of new opportunities that job-seekers can tap on. Upskill yourself with the various training options under the SGUnited Skills programme, SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace or SkillsFuture Series programme.
Financial Support
Finally, if you need additional help and financial support, the “Financial Support for Workers & the Self-Employment” module in LifeSG can direct you to the various relief measures available for unemployed, lower/reduced income individuals and self-employed persons (SEPS). In addition to cash reliefs and subsidies, there are a total of more than 30 different support schemes available in various areas like housing, healthcare, education and more.
Use the Eligibility Checker on supportgowhere.gov.sg to find the support schemes that are available to you.
New features to LifeSG
LifeSG is kept updated constantly as more support schemes and measures are added and the app saves you the hassle of keeping track of new initiatives that are rolled out periodically by the government.
More features related to employment support will be rolled out in subsequent updates of the app, such as features like appointment booking for career coaches at WSG and e2i career centres.
Help is Available
To date, close to S$100 billion of support measures have been allocated to deal with the impact of COVID-19. The government is committed to ensure that we are well supported during this challenging times with a multitude of programmes and options available for job-seekers.
The list of support schemes, government grants and training programmes mentioned above are not exhaustive as there are too many initiatives for us to cover one by one.
If you are still feeling lost and unsure of what to do next, take charge by downloading the LifeSG app here. Remember, you are not alone. Help is available.
This is a sponsored article by WSG.
