Course Offerings Under Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) Increased by Five-Fold

The Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) was implemented on 1 December 2008. Riding on the encouraging response from employers and workers, and taking on board feedback from companies and unions, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) have expanded the list of courses under SPUR to enhance its relevance to employers and workers, with effect from 1 January 2009. The new SPUR-approved courses include:

a. More Workforce Skills Qualifications' (WSQ) courses by quality training providers in addition to the original SPUR WSQ courses by CET Centres, e.g. in Human Resource, Healthcare Support, Precision Engineering, Aerospace, Information and Communications Technology. With this, all WSQ courses will be covered under SPUR.

b. Nitec and Higher Nitec courses for adults under the Institute of Technical Education, e.g. Nitec in Information Technology and Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering; and

c. Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Specialist Diploma courses for adults provided by the Polytechnics, e.g. Diploma in Technology, Specialist Diploma in Arts & Events Management, Advanced Diploma in Process Control & Instrumentation.

The courses included under SPUR are those that are recognised at the national or industry level, and which enhance the employability of workers.

2.   With these changes, the number of SPUR courses has increased five-fold from over 150 courses in December 2008 to over 800 courses. There is also a greater variety of courses in terms of industry sectors, occupations and training duration for both companies and workers/job seekers. Companies can also now be supported under SPUR to send their workers for longer duration training leading to polytechnic diplomas.

3.   Naturalcool Holdings Limited, a building services provider of integrated climate control and power distribution for commercial and residential projects, leverages on SPUR to kick-start the training of its workforce in relevant generic skills applicable for all operation staff from the various departments. This includes equipping them with skills for building teamwork and quality systems to applying 5S techniques. The company is committed to send 800 of its workers for Certificate in Generic Manufacturing (CGM) and Certified Operations Specialist (COS) training over the next six to 12 months.

4.   Becton Dickinson, a global manufacturer of medical care equipment, has found SPUR beneficial in another way. With over 100 vacancies for positions such as Production Technicians, Quality Assurance Auditors and Technical Specialists, it is prepared to hire workers who have been retrenched and re-skill them to take on newly created jobs within the company. Workers who are placed with the company will receive training in various WSQ programmes.

5.   In addition to these changes, MOM and WDA will consider quality in-house programmes on a case-by-case basis, if companies are committed to a training package which includes both SPUR-approved courses and in-house courses, and demonstrate commitment to retaining their workers in accordance with the Tripartite Guidelines on Managing Excess Manpower.

6.   With the expansion, the Government expects more companies to leverage on SPUR to cut costs and save jobs. SPUR will now be even more accessible and relevant to companies. Workers will also have more opportunities to re-skill and up-skill. Employers and workers interested to know more about the expanded list of SPUR courses can visit WDA's website or call the hotline (65)6883-5885. 

About Ministry of Manpower
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) aspires to develop a globally competitive workforce and a great workplace, for a cohesive society and a secure economic future for all Singaporeans. For more information, please visit the MOM website.

About Singapore Workforce Development Agency
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) enhances the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life and advance with skills. In today's economy, most jobs require not just knowledge, but also skills. WDA collaborates with employers, industry associations, the Union and training organisations, to develop and strengthen the Continuing Education and Training system that is skills-based, open and accessible, as a mainstream pathway for all workers - young and older, from rank and file to professionals and executives - to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives. For more information, please visit WDA's website.