Health-care workers to get higher allowances

Part of incentives to get more people to make mid-career switch to the sector

A bigger carrot is being dangled to draw more people to make a mid-career switch to nursing.

The enhanced incentives will come in the form of higher allowances for selected candidates, to help cover their costs of living as they train full-time to become nurses and allied health-care professionals.

Announcing the latest move on Saturday, Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health and Manpower, said from next year, the new monthly payouts will be 50 per cent to 70 per cent more than current rates.

The payouts, she added, will depend on the number of years the trainee has worked full-time before making the switch. At least two years of full-time working experience is needed to qualify.