A total of 264,000 workers, including out-of-work people, have attended its courses since the Government set up the $650 million scheme last December.

And with each worker allowed to attend more than one course, the final score is far beyond the initial goal to fill 220,000 training places, noted Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, when he gave a 12-month update of the programme till end-November this year. 

Also, 42,000 have found jobs after attending Spur courses, he added.

Mr Gan was speaking to reporters on 21 Dec 2009 after visiting two retail shops at Ion Orchard to see how the staff have gained from courses under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience, or Spur.

What is, however, most encouraging for him is how Spur has helped companies manage their excess manpower.

Spur was introduced amid Singapore's worst recession in 50 years to encourage employers to retrain rather than retrench workers, by giving enhanced training subsidies and paying for part of the salaries of workers on training.

Pointing to the participation of the 264,000 workers, as well as 4,000 companies, Mr Gan said: “This shows Spur has been effective in helping companies manage excess manpower, so that we can minimise retrenchment and keep the unemployment rate low.”

However, participation has slowed in recent months, declining from 30,000 in July to 20,000 last month.

Mr Gan urged companies and workers to take training seriously, saying unemployment looks set to “remain high for some time”, although growth is predicted to reach 5.5per cent next year.

Also, Spur is very important in helping companies train their workers in preparation for the upswing, he added.

Latest figures show overall unemployment in September was 3.4 per cent, while the rate for locals, including permanent residents, was 5 per cent - a six-year high.

Mr Gan stressed the Government is committed to promoting adult learning.

Mr Gan said his ministry had many schemes specifically for Singaporeans, citing Workfare, which supplements the incomes of low-wage workers.

Besides, training is crucial for the economy and companies to stay productive and competitive globally, he added.

“It's therefore important for us to ensure that both PR and Singaporean workers have access to training so that their skills can be upgraded and they can remain relevant to our economy.”