Economic opportunities for all

In 2017, more than 25,000 jobseekers secured jobs via Workforce Singapore’s Adapt and Grow initiative – that’s an increase of about 20% from 2016.

In 2018, the number of job placements grew to 30,000, getting a boost from national job bank MyCareersFuture portal. The portal matches jobseekers’ skillsets to employers’ needs.

SkillsFuture Singapore has developed 25 Skills Frameworks for key work sectors. These frameworks contain information on job roles, career pathways and the required skills that individuals and companies can use to prepare themselves.

To continue learning within the Public Service, download the LEARN app and pick up skills on the go.

A caring and inclusive society

Singaporeans are living longer and healthier, with life expectancies in 2017 reaching 80.7 years for males and 85.2 years for females. As the population ages, the number of low-income Singaporeans aged 65 years and above who receive social assistance from ComCare has also increased.

For residents aged 55 to 64 years, the employment rate increased from 64% in 2012 to 67% in 2017. This is higher than in countries like Australia, the UK and the US. More than 650 companies have received funding from the Ministry of Manpower’s WorkPro scheme to redesign jobs for older workers.

Giving.sg is an online donation and volunteer portal by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. The portal connects more than 154,000 registered volunteers and donors with 512 charities, and has facilitated 138,000 volunteer sign-ups and donations of more than $124 million.

In 2019, public officers will get more structured opportunities to volunteer for causes with the upcoming PS Cares initiative.

A green city

2018 was Singapore’s Year of Climate Action. The aim: to raise awareness on the need to take action for a sustainable future. As of November 2018, the campaign has more than 300,000 pledges from individuals and organisations to do their part. A carbon tax will be implemented from 2019.

In 2017, Singapore produced 7.7 million tonnes of waste. That is enough to fill 15,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. If the current rate of waste generation continues, Singapore’s only landfill on Pulau Semakau will run out of space by 2035.

2019 is Singapore’s Year Towards Zero Waste. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources will publish Singapore’s first Zero Waste Masterplan later this year. Related initiatives include a #RecycleRight campaign, community partnerships and grants for ground-up projects.

Find out how you can reduce waste at Year Towards Zero Waste.

A safe and secure home

The overall crime rate fell by 1% in 2017. But two types of crime remain a concern:

• Scams on the rise: There were 1,823 e-commerce scams, loan scams, and impersonation scams in the first half of 2018 – a 72% increase from 2017.
• There were 832 cases of outrage of modesty in the first half of 2018, an increase of 21% compared to 2017.

To tackle these, more efforts are being made to raise awareness about cybersecurity threats and online scams, and rope in citizen volunteers.

With more molest cases happening on public transport, the Citizens on Patrol programme had a pilot for volunteers to do monthly patrols at MRT stations, on top of usual spots such as void decks and parks. Look out for the volunteers in their blue vest as the pilot extends islandwide.

The threat of terrorism in Singapore remains. Check out e-learning courses from SGSecure to learn how to be prepared.

Tech and funds to engage with citizens

The Public Service has big plans to use data and new technologies to better serve citizens and businesses. These ambitions are documented in the Digital Government Blueprint, launched in 2018. Six strategic national projects include a national digital identity and e-payments to make public services more seamless for all.

Public agencies looking to engage citizens with new, innovative ways can tap the Citizen Engagement Seed Fund. From 2016 to 2018, the Fund supported 17 projects, with 4,500 citizens taking part in conversations about issues that affect them and volunteering for community causes.

Want to give or receive feedback on important national issues? Go to REACH online to learn about ongoing public consultations, and rally your family and friends to give their input too.

To read the full SPOR, go to Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review.

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