AT LEAST 45,000 new jobs will be up for grabs in the next two years, with many of them suitable for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs).

In giving the update on Monday, Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong also listed where they are to be found.

But he had a word of advice for jobless PMETs: Be flexible and go for training to get the right skills for jobs in new industries.

Mr Gan was replying to MPs Irene Ng (Tampines GRC), Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC), Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah GRC) and Penny Low (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who had highlighted their plight.

He told the House the two integrated resorts will create more than 20,000 jobs and the public sector, 18,000.

Also, new investments will create 6,000 jobs, including about 1,200 in clean technology and about 900 in biomedical sciences.

The opening of new malls and hotels will produce jobs in the retail sector, and food and beverage, as well as hospitality, while others are to be found in construction, security, interactive digital media and childcare.

Separately, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan listed about 2,000 jobs in the childcare sector and 2,500 in social services over the next five years.

However, many of the jobs seem to elude PMETs, said MPs like Mr Lim.

A longer search is inevitable during an economic slowdown, said Mr Gan. They also need to be trained for new jobs because many have held the same job for many years, he said, adding: 'If (they) are more flexible...I think we will be able to help them find jobs faster.'

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.