Written Reply by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing to Parliamentary Question on Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme and Work-Learn Schemes

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) how many National Servicemen have applied for redeployment under the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme and work-learn schemes in each of the past three years; (b) what is the success rate of these applications; and (c) what specific criteria or skill gaps currently limit the redeployment of these National Servicemen with private sector tech expertise.

Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing:

We introduced the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme (EEDS) in 2022 to optimise the deployment of our Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen). Under the scheme, suitable NSmen can be redeployed from their existing Operationally Ready National Service roles if they have acquired specialised civilian expertise that the SAF requires. NSmen have been redeployed to support the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in existing and emerging domains such as Medical, Legal, Digital, Cyber, and Communications.

As it is a fairly new scheme, the numbers have yet to stabilise. In the past three years, about 1,000 NSmen have indicated interest in the scheme annually through direct applications, or via our units who proactively identify suitable NSmen. Interested NSmen undergo a selection process to determine if they have the appropriate skillsets matched to the available openings. Thus far about 20% of interested NSmen have been redeployed under the scheme.

The Work-Learn Scheme (WLS) is not a redeployment scheme. Servicemen who sign up for such schemes undergo a combination of full-time NS followed by Regular service.