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Written Answer to PQ on Support for freelancers on human capital development

Skills, training and development

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3102 OF 2024 ON 14 OCTOBER 2024
QUESTION NO. 6603 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Ms See Jinli Jean

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry will consider extending its purview and resourcing of human capital development to cover Singaporean freelancers across industries in expertise and knowledge-based professions to enhance the economic value of their contributions to local firms and to align with Singapore's economic transformation efforts; and (b) if not, why not.

Answer:

  1. We recognise the challenges that the workforce faces in keeping pace with technological trends and evolving skills needs, particularly for freelancers who lack access to training and development opportunities that are typically provided for the traditional employees by employers. Nonetheless, the government has invested in a variety of programmes and resources to directly support workers that will benefit freelancers.
  2. Workforce Singapore (WSG) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) provide a range of resources for macro trends and insights to help individuals make informed career and training decisions. This includes the sectoral Jobs and Industry Transformation Maps, an annual Skills Demand for the Future Economy report, the SkillsFuture Jobs-Skills Insights publications and the Skills Frameworks. These would be useful references for freelancers to consider on how they might pivot or enhance their careers and reskill or upskill accordingly to meet future needs. WSG’s MyCareersFuture portal also features the CareersFinder, which uses artificial intelligence and labour market data to help individuals, including freelancers, identify career options based on the individual’s skills and job experience, as well as relevant training opportunities.  Additionally, a suite of personalised career guidance programmes, Polaris, is available through WSG and its appointed providers, Ingeus and AKG, offering tailored support from certified career coaches for career planning needs.  
  3. The Government also provides substantial support for all Singaporeans’ training needs, including freelancers. Singaporeans can access up to 90% subsidies for SSG approved courses and use their SkillsFuture Credit base tier1 to offset the out-of-pocket fees. The MySkillsFuture portal offers about 30,000 courses, ensuring a wide range of options for skills upgrading. In addition, individuals can tap on SkillsFuture Advice workshops and one-to-one Skills and Training Advisory with Skills Ambassadors for more information, resources or guide.  
  4. Freelancers, like employees, would benefit from these Government services and can seek further support from WSG and SSG, to chart out their plans and take concrete actions to stay relevant and future-ready in the fast changing economy.

FOOTNOTE

  1. Consists of the opening credit of $500 at age 25 (no expiry) and a one-off top-up of $500 given in 2020 to those aged 25 and above (expires in 2025).