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ma r k E t in t E l l i gE n c E
Throughout the programme, the only
fees payable will be the course fees for
the Talent Workshop, which will be borne
by the SME hiring that particular PME.
As part of the expanded assistance to
SMEs, 90% of the course fees will be
subsidised by the Singapore Workforce
Development Agency (WDA), and the
remaining sum is also eligible for tax
or cash payout benefits under the
Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC)
Scheme administered by the Inland
Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
Applications from both PMEs and SMEs
have been received since the launch of
the programme, and ASME has actively
engaged in outreach efforts to spread the
word about this place-and-train initiative.
During the Inter-Association Networking
Night organised by ASME on 25 July
2012, information on the Max Talent
programme was shared with the evening’s
participants in an informal setting. To date,
sE p | Oc t 2012
En t r E p r E n E u r s’ Di g E s t
a sizable number of SMEs have indicated
interest to participate in Max Talent as
they saw how the programme can help
them in meeting their manpower needs,
while enhancing their HR capabilities
through the Talent Resource Kit.
In addition, sharing sessions at WDA and
other external venues were held, with
the most recent one held at CaliberLink,
a new one-stop service point for PMEs
set up by the WDA. Playing host to more
than 80 participants, the Max Talent
Secretariat shared with the PMEs on
the programme, the benefits and what it
entails. They also took questions from the
floor, setting ease to many of the PMEs’
concerns and issues. At the end of the
session, many PMEs indicated their
interest in the programme, and readily
submitted their enrolment forms.
Finally, during the recently-concluded
STJobs Fair 2012, word of the Max Talent
Flowchart of Activities
programme was actively spread through
an exclusive booth space occupied by
ASME. Besides learning more about Max
Talent from staff present, eligible PMEs
also applied for the programme on-site.
Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Chief Executive of
WDA said, “The Max Talent programme
by the Singapore Workforce Development
Agency (WDA) and the Association of
Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME)
is an extension of efforts to help PMEs
attain their career aspirations and be
gainfully employed while meeting the
manpower needs of the SMEs.”
“The Place and Train element in the
programme allows both groups to
reap optimal benefits as it provides an
opportunity for them to better understand
and match their expectations and needs,”
he added. “Through Max Talent, we
look forward to more PMEs embracing
employment opportunities in the SMEs.”
For more information and application details, please contact the Max Talent Secretariat at 6513 0349/6513 0350 or
email sme.maxtalent@asme.org.sg/pme.maxtalent@asme.org.sg.