--- title: "Reskilling isn’t working, PMEs focus on Industrial policies! #budget2025" description: Is the 2025 Singapore Budget a lifeline for families, a gamble on nuclear energy, or a wake-up call for Singapore’s workforce? image: https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/SGB%20EP2%20B.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02#main-content) [![Full_COlour](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Full_COlour.png?width=456&height=80&name=Full_COlour.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) - [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) Feb 24, 2025, 12:39:48 PM # Reskilling isn’t working, PMEs focus on Industrial policies! #budget2025 ![Picture of The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20(2)-3.png?width=50&name=Square%20(2)-3.png) [The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [Share this page](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [![Follow The Financial Coconut](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46975693/interactive-182431637553.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL2CjCe42iR2RH2MpVX0Ej%2BKJQ%2F3A0Z7pXnUs35To%2Bo6nbKcpBVq9I98X5NUungVEwfs5YCKuM%2FaP97VxIITkTlihT57%2F%2F4XDW9rT3VR4MatSLDi%2BMU5mbQqihfX3LRRz83ij8K19OiD8UXy8sdct4t0Q%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182431637553&portalId=46975693)   Is SkillsFuture really helping Singaporeans stay employable, or is it just a Band-Aid solution? Join us as we dive deep into the realities of Singapore’s job market, retrenchments, and whether the government’s policies are truly bridging the gap for workers in crisis. Reggie (a.k.a. The Financial Coconut) is joined by: - [Adrian Tan](https://adriantan.com.sg/), Author - “[No More Bosses](https://www.penguin.sg/book/no-more-bosses/)", Fractional CMO, sharing insights on self-employment and the gig economy. - [Kai Ning Lim](https://sg.linkedin.com/in/kaininglim), Co-founder & CEO of [The Courage Chapter](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kaininglim_the-courage-chapter-introduction-activity-7138815543611953152-DY2_), a platform that helps senior professionals transition to their second chapters through meaningful flexible projects with companies, for greater business impact. - [Puay Lim Yeo](https://sg.linkedin.com/in/puay-lim-yeo-5648baa), Partner, Talentkraft, and former business leader at Glint, offering a fresh perspective on career transitions and workforce challenges. Key points teased: - SkillsFuture Under the Microscope: Is it promoting lifelong learning or just a buzzword? - Retrenchment Realities: How are middle managers and professionals coping in a shaky job market? - Career Conversion Programs: Do they actually help people switch industries, or are they just a temporary fix? - The SME Lifeline: Why small businesses might be the unexpected heroes in hiring returnees and older workers. - AI vs. Humans: Is the rise of artificial intelligence making traditional jobs obsolete? From heated debates about government grants to raw stories of career pivots, this episode is packed with unfiltered insights and actionable advice for anyone navigating Singapore’s ever-changing job landscape. **What We Discuss:** - [02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIfTEajpbg&t=141s) What key takeaways on employment did you get from the budget? - [11:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIfTEajpbg&t=686s) Does the SkillsFuture system need improvement? - [13:44](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIfTEajpbg&t=824s) How can we improve career conversion programs? - [22:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIfTEajpbg&t=1349s) Thoughts on career conversion programs and how effective is it? - [30:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIfTEajpbg&t=1845s) Is Singapore’s job market strategy too broad? **Episode Resources:** - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2P7xeh3ALAPwXVM0HiMR9M) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixIfTEajpbg) - [Apple podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/reskilling-isnt-working-pmes-focus-on-industrial-policies/id1487004505?i=1000695362863) ###### More episodes from TFC Singapore Budget Debate Specials: 1. [TFC Reacts to Singapore Budget 2025, What Was Unsaid?](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-01) 2. [Reskilling isn’t working, PMEs focus on Industrial policies! #budget2025](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) 3. [SME Towkays Capitalising On SG Budget 2025!](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-03) 4. [Millennials & The 2050 Retirement Deadline: What You Need To Know Now](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-04) 5. [50,000 BTO, transaction slowdown and falling interest rates. What’s the story?](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-05) 6. [Distributed Workforce, JS-SEZ, Singapore Budget 2025 Fuels Business Growth \[ft ASME\]](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-06) ### Read more about Singapore Budget: - [Singapore Budget Summary](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-all) - [Singapore’s Integrated Shield Plan: Latest Updates in 2025](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/update-on-integrated-shield-plan) - [SG Budget 2025 - What’s In It for HDB Owners](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-hdb-owners) - [Singapore IPO Drought: What’s Driving Companies Away from SGX?](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-ipo-drought) - [Here’s How You Can Use Your MediLife and Medisave under the SG Budget 2025 Incentives](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/use-your-budget2025-medilife-and-medisave) - [DNA Chip Investment to Boost Healthcare, Jobs & Global Biotech Leadership](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-dna-chip-investment) - [SG Budget 2025: Programmes Addressing Needs Across Life Stages](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-life-stages-needs) - [Building Our Singapore Together: SG60 Highlights in Budget 2025](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-sg60-highlights) - [Budget 2025: Strategies to Boost Singapore's Business Landscape](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-strategies-to-boost-business-landscape) - [Singapore Budget for Working Professionals](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-working-professionals) - [Singapore Budget 2025: Disbursement Timeline for Working Professionals](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-working-professional) - [Singapore Budget 2025: 6 Key Support Measures for Working Adults with Elderly Parents](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-elderly-parents) - [Singapore Budget 2025: Disbursement Timeline for Business Owners and SMEs](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-business-owners) - [SG Budget 2025: How Much Will Parents Save on Their Kids (Monthly) with More Support Given](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/sg-budget-2025-how-parents-save-on-their-kids) - [SG Budget 2025: Fresh SGD 10,000 SkillsFuture Credit for SME Workforce Transformation](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/sg-budget-2025-for-sme-workforce-transformation) - [SG Budget 2025: Accelerating Clean Living with EV Incentives in Singapore](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/sg-budget-2025-ev-incentives) - [Singapore Budget 2025: Key Support Measures for Business Owners and SMEs](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-business-owners-and-smes) - [Singapore Budget 2025: Strategic Levers for Business Growth and Innovation](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-business-growth-and-innovation) - [Singapore Budget 2025: Nuclear Energy Ambitions & ASEAN Integration – Global Trends and Local Realities](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-nuclear-energy-ambitions) Share us your thoughts on this episode and let us know what do you want to hear next. You can now be our community contributor and make a [pitch ](https://thefinancialcoconut.com/contact/)to have your favourite personality be on our show. Join our [community group](https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2-JSYItZawSUnNP4YhAicLp0H2wXwx8EBmQgbzOJrjA6YRiPWXtFDSH4_aem_t1DMRY5jrSAapreaSX9ntw) and drop us your insights on this topic.   ### Stay ahead in your financial journey! Sign up for our newsletter to receive insights, tips, and strategies from The Financial Coconut Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [Share this page](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02) [![Lawrance Wong Singapore Prime minister salary increase 2026](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-14%20013632.png?height=200&name=Screenshot%202026-09-14%20013632.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/the-real-benchmark-behind-singapores-ministerial-pay-rise) ## [The Real Benchmark Behind Singapore's Ministerial Pay Rise](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/the-real-benchmark-behind-singapores-ministerial-pay-rise) [![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/crop-hand-refueling-car-on-station-2026-03-24-05-24-31-utc.jpg?height=200&name=crop-hand-refueling-car-on-station-2026-03-24-05-24-31-utc.jpg)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapores-1-billion-response-to-the-energy-crisis) ## [From Hormuz to Your Wallet: Singapore's $1 Billion Response to the Energy Crisis](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapores-1-billion-response-to-the-energy-crisis) [![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SG%20Budget%20React%203.png?height=200&name=SG%20Budget%20React%203.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-157) ## [What Budget 2026 Isn’t Saying About the Job Market \[W&S 157, Budget Special\]](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-157) [![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/singapore%20banks-jpg.jpeg?height=200&name=singapore%20banks-jpg.jpeg)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/corporate-tax-surges-above-forecast-while-gst-growth-lags) ## [Singapore Corporate Tax Surges S$2.57B Above Forecast While GST Growth Lags](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/corporate-tax-surges-above-forecast-while-gst-growth-lags) [show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/show), [Singapore Budget](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/singapore-budget) ## Let us know what you think of this post ## Related posts [![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/nuc.png?height=200&name=nuc.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-nuclear-energy-ambitions) [Singapore Budget](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/singapore-budget) ## [Singapore Budget 2025: Nuclear Energy Ambitions & ASEAN Integration – Global Trends and Local Realities](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-nuclear-energy-ambitions) Singapore’s Budget 2025 signals a transformative energy strategy, blending cautious nuclear... [Read more](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-nuclear-energy-ambitions) [![](https://www.cmgassets.com/s3fs-public/styles/article_details_tablet_image/public/2025-01/shutterstock_2224288841_0.jpg.webp?itok=gCRMiFcn)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/sg-budget-allocation-2025) [Singapore Budget](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/singapore-budget) ## [SG Budget Allocation 2025: Which Ministry Gets More and Why?](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/sg-budget-allocation-2025) Singapore’s Budget 2025, delivered by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, is a bold... [Read more](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/sg-budget-allocation-2025) [![](https://www.ai-accountant.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/photo-singapore-government-grants-for-smes-and-start-ups-1.jpg)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-business-growth-and-innovation) [Singapore Budget](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/singapore-budget) ## [Singapore Budget 2025: Strategic Levers for Business Growth and Innovation](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-business-growth-and-innovation) Leverage Tax Incentives, AI, and Global Partnerships to Outpace Competitors Singapore’s Budget 2025... [Read more](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/singapore-budget-2025-for-business-growth-and-innovation) [![Logo_White](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_White.png?width=111&height=69&name=Logo_White.png "Logo_White")](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/financialcoconut/) [linkedin-in icon](https://sg.linkedin.com/company/the-financial-coconut) [TikTok icon](https://www.tiktok.com/@thefinancialcoconut?lang=en) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/thefinancialcoconut/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCREEmSahtQyTBjJudI6kgmg) [Follow us on Facebook](https://open.spotify.com/show/6ndJZx2bk8jYgQHAXIwg1C) [Follow us on Facebook](https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-financial-coconut-podcast/id1487004505) 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 2, #07-13, Singapore 068809 Copyright © 2025 - - [About Us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/about-us) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) - - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - - [Contact Us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) - [Work With Us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/workwithus) - [Ask Our Experts](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/ask-us) - [Make Your Pitch](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/make-your-pitch) - [Service and User Agreement](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/service-agreement) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "The Financial Coconut", "url" : "https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-19T06:07:42.792Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-24T04:39:48.000Z", "headline" : "Reskilling isn’t working, PMEs focus on Industrial policies! #budget2025", "image" : [ "https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/SGB%20EP2%20B.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tfc-singapore-budget-debate-2025-ep-02", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/Full_COlour-2.png" }, "name" : "The Financial Coconut" } } ```