- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
SPRING launches new scheme to boost HR practices in SMEs
SPRING launches new scheme to boost HR practices in SMEs
By Jonathan Peeris, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: SPRING Singapore is launching a new programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) improve their human resource capabilities with the help of certified experts.
SPRING said the new programme complements the HR Capability Package that was introduced last year.
It comprises tools, templates and guidelines to help SMEs put in place sound HR systems for six key areas, including Manpower Planning, Learning & Development and Career Management.
Qualified HR consultants will be engaged to customise the six modules to the needs of the SMEs and develop relevant policies for their organisations.
The consultancy fees are capped at S$3,000 per module and companies are required to take a minimum of three modules per consultancy project.
- CNA/so
- wong chee tat :)
By Jonathan Peeris, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: SPRING Singapore is launching a new programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) improve their human resource capabilities with the help of certified experts.
SPRING said the new programme complements the HR Capability Package that was introduced last year.
It comprises tools, templates and guidelines to help SMEs put in place sound HR systems for six key areas, including Manpower Planning, Learning & Development and Career Management.
Qualified HR consultants will be engaged to customise the six modules to the needs of the SMEs and develop relevant policies for their organisations.
The consultancy fees are capped at S$3,000 per module and companies are required to take a minimum of three modules per consultancy project.
- CNA/so
- wong chee tat :)
Strong biomedical sector pulls S’pore out of recession
Strong biomedical sector pulls S’pore out of recession
Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Singapore is out of technical recession as advance estimates show that its economy grew by 20.4 percent in the second quarter, snapping four straight quarterly contractions.
But compared with the same period in the previous year, second—quarter GDP shrank 3.7 percent.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has also revised first—quarter GDP to a contraction of 9.6 percent on—year instead of the minus 10.1 percent announced in May.
A spike in electronics and biomedical output lifted Singapore’s economy in the second quarter. The key manufacturing sector is estimated to have dipped by 1.5 percent compared to a 24.3 percent contraction in the first quarter.
Despite signs of a recovery, the government cautioned that the outlook for the rest of the year will be subdued. In fact, some economists warned that third—quarter numbers may not be as rosy if the volatile biomedical sector under—performs.
Alvin Liew, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank, said: "Another point on biomedical output; if it remains strong in the second half, that could be due to the fact that the flu pandemic which we are facing have gotten worse, which means the requirements for medical output may be higher, but that would mean tourism and other related sectors could be badly hit. So the net—off effect is fairly hard to say."
Observers said the uptick in the electronics sector — due to inventory restocking — may be unsustainable if global demand does not improve. This is especially since three quarters of Singapore’s GDP growth are driven by external demand.
Vishnu Varathan, a regional economist at Forecast, said: "We have not seen any compelling signs of a demand—led recovery just yet. We are not convinced US consumers will consume at the same rate they used to, pre—crisis. Yes, there is improvement in US savings rate, property prices have stopped dropping in the US or stopped plunging off the cliffs....these are positive at the margins for externally—focused country like Singapore, but to bet on a V—shaped rebound will be to ignore the downside risks out there."
Singapore’s services sector remained weak, shrinking 5.1 percent in the second quarter. Hotels and restaurants sector was weighed down by the slump in tourist arrivals, while the financial services sector contracted less severely on the back of improved market sentiment.
On the employment front, economists said the positive data for the second quarter may not necessarily translate to fewer job cuts, especially in more vulnerable sectors. They said companies are also cautious about recruitment as many of them are still running at excess capacity.
Singapore has raised its full—year economic forecast to a 4 to 6 per cent contraction to reflect the improved Q2 performance. In April, the government had projected the economy to shrink by 6 to 9 per cent.
— CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Singapore is out of technical recession as advance estimates show that its economy grew by 20.4 percent in the second quarter, snapping four straight quarterly contractions.
But compared with the same period in the previous year, second—quarter GDP shrank 3.7 percent.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has also revised first—quarter GDP to a contraction of 9.6 percent on—year instead of the minus 10.1 percent announced in May.
A spike in electronics and biomedical output lifted Singapore’s economy in the second quarter. The key manufacturing sector is estimated to have dipped by 1.5 percent compared to a 24.3 percent contraction in the first quarter.
Despite signs of a recovery, the government cautioned that the outlook for the rest of the year will be subdued. In fact, some economists warned that third—quarter numbers may not be as rosy if the volatile biomedical sector under—performs.
Alvin Liew, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank, said: "Another point on biomedical output; if it remains strong in the second half, that could be due to the fact that the flu pandemic which we are facing have gotten worse, which means the requirements for medical output may be higher, but that would mean tourism and other related sectors could be badly hit. So the net—off effect is fairly hard to say."
Observers said the uptick in the electronics sector — due to inventory restocking — may be unsustainable if global demand does not improve. This is especially since three quarters of Singapore’s GDP growth are driven by external demand.
Vishnu Varathan, a regional economist at Forecast, said: "We have not seen any compelling signs of a demand—led recovery just yet. We are not convinced US consumers will consume at the same rate they used to, pre—crisis. Yes, there is improvement in US savings rate, property prices have stopped dropping in the US or stopped plunging off the cliffs....these are positive at the margins for externally—focused country like Singapore, but to bet on a V—shaped rebound will be to ignore the downside risks out there."
Singapore’s services sector remained weak, shrinking 5.1 percent in the second quarter. Hotels and restaurants sector was weighed down by the slump in tourist arrivals, while the financial services sector contracted less severely on the back of improved market sentiment.
On the employment front, economists said the positive data for the second quarter may not necessarily translate to fewer job cuts, especially in more vulnerable sectors. They said companies are also cautious about recruitment as many of them are still running at excess capacity.
Singapore has raised its full—year economic forecast to a 4 to 6 per cent contraction to reflect the improved Q2 performance. In April, the government had projected the economy to shrink by 6 to 9 per cent.
— CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
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