Lost as a Jobseeker during COVID-19?
The Government has pledged to help boost the economy through the implementation of various schemes, programmes, and initiatives.
FastJobs is here to help.
We've prepared this easy-to-read guide, to address your various career or financial-related needs.
Click on any of the icons below to discover what help is available.
Click on any of the icons below to discover what help is available.
Looking for Work
Jobs will be on the top of everyone's minds during this challenging time of economic instability and the loss of jobs. However, there is support coming to jobseekers in the form of programmes such as traineeships, and measures by FastJobs to aid jobseekers in their job search with #FastHire.
#FastHire
If you're actively seeking a job to start immediately, you can search for "#FastHire" jobs across multiple industries on FastJobs.
#FastHire jobs cover a wide range of industries:
#FastHire jobs cover a wide range of industries:
SGUnitedTraineeships Programme
Workplace Singapore (WSG) has partnered with many different host companies to provide over 21,000 traineeship opportunities, filling the gap left in the current economic climate.
Who is Eligible?
Singaporeans and PRs
2019 or 2020 Graduates from:
2019 or 2020 Graduates from:
- Universities
- Private Educational Institutions
- Polytechnics
- Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
How is it beneficial?
The traineeships will provide young graduates with relevant industry experience, increasing their chances of securing a job while the economy recovers.
What is the pay?
- University degree or above - $1,800 - $2,500
- Polytechnic diploma or professional qualifications - $1,300 - $1,800
- ITE or equivalent - $1,100 - $1,500
How do I apply?
Visit www.mycareersfuture.sg and search the hashtag #SGUnitedTraineeships for jobs that are hosted under the programme. If you're unsure if a company is an approved host company, check against the official list of host companies before applying.
SGUnited Mid-Career Traineeships Scheme
The government plans to provide 4,000 more traineeships tailored for unemployed locals in the middle of their career to enhance their employability, by providing them industry-relevant work experience. R&D sector positions will be created, including research institutes, deep-tech startups, and our very own universities.
Details will be released soon.
Details will be released soon.
Career Support Programme for Individuals
Singaporean Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) who are made unemployed and actively looking for jobs for six months or more can take on new jobs paying a gross monthly salary of at least $4,000.
Who is Eligible?
Singaporeans who have been unemployed and actively looking for jobs for 6 months or more, or made redundant (for Singaporeans above 40)
How is it beneficial?
Under the CSP, eligible Singapore Citizen PMETs can take on new jobs if they have been unemployed and searching for a job
What is the pay?
Gross monthly salary of at least $4,000 ($3,600 for SMEs).
Looking for Financial Support
To provide more financial relief and support to Singaporeans, the Government has introduced a few schemes to help out those who require financial assistance. There are different schemes for different groups of people so there's no shame in reaching out for help if you need it.
COVID-19 Support Grant
The COVID-19 Support Grant aims to support those who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who is Eligible?
You are eligible if you are:
- Presently involuntarily unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination
- Presently on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL) for at least three consecutive months
- Presently experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for at least three consecutive months
What is the assistance provided?
- $800 worth of monthly cash grant
- Cash support quantium based on last-drawn monthly salary
- Support for jobs and training provided by e2i and WSG
How do I apply?
Visit https://www.go.gov.sg/CSG to apply, by 30 September 2020.
The Courage Fund
The courage fund aims to provide financial assistance to low-income households who have family member(s) contracting COVID-19, or are placed on Stay-Home Notice (SHN), mandatory Leave of Absence (LOA) or Home Quarantine Order (QO).
Who is Eligible?
- At least one household member is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- At least one household member contracted COVID-19, or was placed on Stay-Home Notice (SHN), mandatory Leave of Absence (LOA) or Home Quarantine Order (QO).
- Household has a gross monthly income of ≤$6,200, or gross monthly per capita income of ≤$2,000, prior to being affected by COVID-19.
- Households that experienced a complete or partial (of at least 10%) loss of household income as a result of COVID-19.
What is the assistance provided?
- A single lump sum of up to $1,000 (based on household per-capita income that is impacted by COVID-19
How do I apply?
Fill in the application form, which can be downloaded here.
Care and Support Package - Cash
The Care and Support Package will provide more support to Singaporeans who may be struggling financially during this period of economic uncertainty.
Who is Eligible?
- All adult Singaporeans aged 21 and above
- Parents and Singaporeans aged ≥50 receive extra benefits
What is the assistance provided?
- All adult Singaporeans to get cash support in separate payments based on Assessable Income (AI)
- View the full details of the assistance provided here
How do I apply?
There's no need to apply - the cash will be automatically credited to your bank account.
Training Opportunities
The government also aims to boost training opportunities for workers to increase their chances of finding employment, and thus, contribute to boosting the economy.
SkillsFuture mid-career enhanced subsidy
Now's as good a time as any to look for opportunities to upgrade your skillset and learn new skills to improve your employability in the job market.
The Singapore government is encouraging Singaporeans to upgrade by providing subsidies and programmes for different groups of citizens addressing different needs and abilities.
The Singapore government is encouraging Singaporeans to upgrade by providing subsidies and programmes for different groups of citizens addressing different needs and abilities.
The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy encourages lifelong learning and is specifically for Singaporeans aged 40 and up.
You are never too old to learn and pick up new skills to stay responsive to a changing workplace.
You are never too old to learn and pick up new skills to stay responsive to a changing workplace.
Who is Eligible?
- Singaporeans aged 40 and above.
How is it beneficial?
- Higher subsidies of up to 90% of course fees for over 8,000 SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) supported courses
- 90% of programme cost for MOE-subsidised full-time and part-time courses
What courses are there?
SSG supported courses from:
- Autonomous Universities
- Polytechnics
- Institute of Technical Education
- LASALLE College of the Arts
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme
The Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme aims to encourage you to upgrade their work-relevant skills and attend training to improve your employability in the changing job market, by subsidising costs for attending courses.
Who is Eligible?
- Singapore Citizens aged 35 years old and above
- Currently employed
- Earning a gross monthly income of not more than $2,000.
How is it beneficial?
- Courses are subsidized up to 95% for WTS-approved courses
- Employer may also send employee for training, saving costs.
What courses are eligible?
- Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) course
- Approved Academic Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses offered by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and 5 local Polytechnics
- Certifiable Skills Training Courses accredited or supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)
SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes
SkillsFuture Work-Study programmes offer you an opportunity to work while you study, allowing you to experience a combination of classroom training and on-the-job training by companies. Programmes are provided by the Institute of Higher Learning (IHLs) and other private providers appointed by SkillsFuture Singapore.
Who is Eligible?
- Fresh graduates from
- Institute of Technical Education
- Polytechnic
- Junior College
How is it beneficial?
- The programmes offer a range of work-study diplomas and certificates that allow you to learn both on the job and in the classroom.
- Jobs will be matched to your relevant discipline, with mentorship provided.
What options are there?
- SkillsFuture Work-Study Diploma (for ITE)
- SkillsFuture Work-Study Post Diploma (for Poly)
- SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree (for Uni)
- SkillsFuture Work-Study Post-Graduate
- SkillsFuture Work-Study Certificate
Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
The Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) allows NTUC members to upgrade their skills with subsidized costs of training.
Who is Eligible?
- All NTUC members
How is it beneficial?
- NTUC members enjoy 50% course fee support up to $250 each year when you sign up for UTAP courses.
What options are there?
- List of eligible courses may be found here.
- Click on 'Search Course' under the "Skills Upgrade Available" tab to see the full list.
NTUC Training Fund (for Self-Employed Persons)
The NTUC Training Fund was introduced to help Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) supplement their income and earn as they train. This is to keep them prepared for the future through upskilling and upgrading.
Who is Eligible?
- All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who are self-employed
How is it beneficial?
- SEPs will be paid training allowance as they undergo training and upskilling during this lull period.
P-Max (Support for Employers)
P-Max is a SkillsFuture initiative that aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to better recruit, train, manage, and retain their newly-hired Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians (PMETs).
Who is Eligible?
- Local SMEs registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Singaporean or Permanent Resident
- Diploma holder or prior work experience in PMET jobs
- One year of full-time work experience
How is it beneficial?
- SMES now only have to pay 10% of the nett fee portion of course fees for SMEs and PMETs. Funding will be provided by WSG.
Feeling Anxious About COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic can cause a great amount of stress on individuals heavily affected by the negative impacts of the virus. If you or your loved ones are facing emotional or psychological stress, do not hesitate to reach out for help.
Community Helplines Offering Emotional Support
