$30m job scheme to help the disabled

This post came out from The Straits Times (25 April 2014)

A new $30 million scheme will help people with disabilities to train and look for jobs, and defray employers' costs in supporting them. The Open Door Programme was announced last night by Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing.

Speaking at last night's Enabling Employers Awards Gala Dinner at Gardens by the Bay, he said more companies are becoming interested in hiring people with disabilities. "To take advantage of this rising interest, we have decided to provide employers and persons with disabilities better job and training support," he said.

The new scheme replaces the former Open Door Fund, which also subsidised employers' efforts to recruit and integrate disabled people. However, whereas the fund could be tapped for only new employees, the programme covers both new and existing workers with disabilities. The money can go towards apprenticeships, job and workplace redesign, and training staff to work with disabled colleagues. A funding cap of $100,000 per company has also been lifted.

More funding will also be given for apprenticeships: 70 per cent of the apprentice's salary capped at $1,00 a month for up to four months, with a possible two months more. This is up from 60 per cent, capped at $600 a month.

Unlike the fund, which was for companies, the programme is also open to individuals with disabilities themselves. They can get help to search for jobs and funding support for training. The Government has set aside $30 million for the scheme over the next three years, funded mainly by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and supplemented by the ministry. It is expected to help some 4,000 people with disabilities and 1,000 employers. Interested companies and workers can contact SG Enable, a government established agency which administers the scheme.

Thoughts:

1. I believe in empowering a person to do the best of his/her capabilities, and this includes people with disabilities! This scheme not only allows these individuals to upgrade themselves, but also enables the companies to tap on the fund to make the workplace more disabled-family. How cool is that! 

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big