The proportion of white-collared workers who were sent for training has dipped, according to a new Manpower Ministry (MOM) survey. In contrast, the share of blue-collared employees who attended structured training programmes has risen.

The biennial survey found that 59 per cent of professionals, managers, executives and technicians attended structured training programmes in 2012, down from 63 per cent in 2010. Similarly in 2012, some 51 per cent of clerical, sales and services workers went for training, down from 54 per cent in 2010.

For production and transport operators, cleaners and labourers, the proportion of workers who went for training went up slightly. In 2012 was 58 per cent of them went for training, up a 1.8 per cent from 2010.

MOM said Government initiatives such as the Workfare Training Support (WTS) Scheme have encouraged employers to send their low-wage employees for training.