New employment office, job redesign support among new measures to help persons with disabilities

The Singapore government plans to provide increased support for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across major life transitions, including transitioning from school to employment, with measures set to be implemented by 2030. Students in special education (SPED) schools, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics will receive training in workplace and soft skills, along with more work exposure opportunities.

The National disability agency, SG Enable, is expanding its career services through a new Employment Support Office at the Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru, set to become fully operational in the second half of 2027. This office aims to assist both PWDs and employers in navigating employment matters.

SG Enable will also enhance its support for future care planning, train all front-line polyclinic staff to cater to individuals with intellectual disability and autism, and broaden community services. These recommendations come from a 67-page report by the Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities. Formed in December 2025, the task force reviewed support for PWDs throughout their lives and gathered input from over 200 individuals, including caregivers and service providers.

Government spending on PWD support for the next five years is expected to increase by up to 60% on average, according to the report. A significant portion of Singapore's PWD population faces uncertainty during the post-18 period, worrying about job stability, independent living, and community connections. The task force identified transitions as areas where expectations often fall short and families feel lost, prompting plans to address these challenges.

Currently, 34.7% of Singapore's residents with disabilities are employed, with the government aiming to raise this figure to 40% by 2030. Some PWDs struggle with work-related skills, while others have difficulty finding suitable job opportunities. To tackle this, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will introduce structured applied learning and work exposure programs in SPED schools for students with autism, including learning journeys to workplaces and job tasters.

These schools currently provide strong academic foundations but lack sufficient opportunities for developing work-related skills.

The transition support programs will be introduced as more SPED graduates move to ITE and polytechnics, with the goal of improving employment retention rates. Currently, only about one in four employed PWDs works for the same employer for a year or more, a rate that drops to 2.2% for those working for seven years or longer. Participation in SG Enable's School to Work programme, which offers customized training pathways and job options for SPED graduates, shows a higher retention rate, with three-quarters of participants staying in their roles for at least a year.

To boost employment opportunities, the new Employment Support Office will expand its Sector Train-and-Place program, which was piloted in 2025 for PWDs in the hospitality sector, to include five more industries, such as food and beverage and info-communications and technology. The scheme aims to place 800 PWDs in employment between 2026 and 2030.

The Employment Support Office will offer tailored skills and career support, including a 95% fee subsidy for eligible mainstream courses under the SG Enable Training Grant, expanding beyond courses specifically designed for PWDs. This will include courses in high-demand fields like AI.

Employers will benefit from the Employment Support Office's collaboration with industry stakeholders to create playbooks for sectors with strong potential to hire PWDs, including retail trade and finance and insurance services. These guides will cover identifying suitable roles and job redesign strategies. The task force also noted the cumbersome process involved in applying for grants, highlighting the need for simplification.