With more retrenchments expected after the post-festive period, union leaders said they will do their best to help those affected. But they stressed that workers need to approach the job market with an open mind to increase their chances of getting hired.
Some workers who lost their jobs last month attended their first day of a week-long retraining course, from February 2 to 9, which will prepare them for jobs in other industries.
The customised course is fully subsidised by the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and will provide these workers with career advice as well.
However, unionists said that workers must also learn to manage their expectations in the new job.
Josephine Teo, executive secretary, SISEU, said: "There is the expectations gap, which means that the workers can do the job but they find that the terms and conditions of those jobs may not be acceptable to them.
"For example, the pay could be too low and after deducting their expenses, they may find that it's not possible for them to take those jobs."
Although unionists are expecting a slump in the number of manufacturing jobs available, they are predicting an increase in job opportunities in the service sector.
The e2i currently has more than 6,000 immediate vacancies available in their jobs database.
Despite more retrenchments expected after the Lunar New Year, workers can look forward to more help. The Workforce Development Agency (WDA) will be doubling the number of training places from 110,000 to 220,000 under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) to retrain workers.
- Channel News Asia
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