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Forward-looking indicators were mixed in September, MOM noted.<\/span><\/p>\n The share of firms expecting to hire over the next three months rose from 30.5 per cent in August to 42.3 per cent in September, while the share of companies expecting to raise wages increased from 16.9 per cent to 19.9 per cent in the same period.<\/span><\/p>\n “However, both remained below July\u2019s levels, suggesting that employers remained cautious about hiring and wage increases amid continued uncertainty,” MOM said.<\/span><\/p>\n The share of firms expecting to retrench also edged up to 3.1 per cent in September from 2.8 per cent in August.<\/span><\/p>\n “This increase, alongside higher actual retrenchments, points to emerging weaknesses in parts of the labour market that warrant close monitoring,” the ministry said.<\/span><\/p>\n “Against a more uncertain global outlook and rapid technological change, companies will need to keep adapting and investing in their workforce, while workers will need to keep their skills relevant,” it added.<\/span><\/p>\n Employers can make use of existing schemes, such as the <\/span>career conversion programmes<\/span> and Mid-Career Pathways Programme, to reskill and upskill their workers.<\/span><\/p>\n Workers are encouraged to take proactive steps to improve their employability and access better job opportunities through schemes such as <\/span>Career Health SG<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They can also use career coaching and guidance services provided by the <\/span>Skills and Workforce Development Agency<\/span> and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute, as well as join SkillsFuture training programmes.<\/span><\/p>\n Fresh graduates facing difficulties finding employment can utilise the <\/span>Graduate Industry Traineeships, or GRIT, scheme<\/span> as an alternative entry point into the workforce that enables them to gain industry-relevant skills and experience, MOM said.<\/span><\/p>\n Eligible involuntarily unemployed individuals can receive temporary financial support of up to S$6,000 (US$4,690) over six months via the <\/span>SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme<\/span> while they are looking for jobs, the ministry added.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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