Two new place-and-train programmes have been launched as part of the National Trades Union Congress's efforts to get more locals into the supply chain industry.

The Place-and-Train Logistics Specialists programme is for locals with at least N-level qualifications and it will put them in jobs paying at least $1,600 a month. Participating firms can get funding support for up to 90 per cent of the course fees, capped at $1,800 per trainee. Trainees will also get a monthly $400 training allowance for up to six months.

For mid-career professionals, managers and executives with diplomas, there is the Place-and-Train Logistics Operation Executives programme. Participants will receive a monthly $1,000 training allowance for up to six months, and will have a starting salary of at least $2,500. Firms can get funding for up to half of the course fees, capped at $2,750 per trainee.

The schemes were announced on Monday by the NTUC's Transport & Logistics Services Cluster. In a separate training programme for drivers launched in July last year, the cluster also subsidised Class 3 and Class 4 driving licences for 700 unemployed or low-wage workers, thus helping them to get jobs or increase their pay. Another 2,000 places are now available for subsidised Class 3 licences.