What percentage of unemployed PMETs were helped?

I refer to the article “More than 1,100 PMETs receive help from career support programme since Oct 2015” (Channel NewsAsia, Jan 10).

It states that “More than 1,100 professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) have found jobs through the Career Support Programme (CSP) since its roll-out in late 2015, with the majority being older than 40 years of age and have been unemployed for a long time.

Placements under the CSP have “steadily picked up” to more than 800 in the first three quarters of 2017, she added. For the same period in 2016, there were about 200 placements.”

So, does this mean that in the first one year plus of the scheme – only about 300 plus (1,100 – 800) were helped?

As to “The retention rate has also been encouraging among the 2015 and 2016 cohorts, according to Mrs Teo.

About 70 per cent remained in employment within 12 months of the CSP placement. Of which, the majority remained with the employer they have been matched with under the CSP, while the rest found new jobs with other employers” – does it mean that about 30 per cent (100 – 70) became unemployed again after just 12 months?

And also, how many are still employed now after about two years? – How much lesser (if this is the case) than the 70 per cent after 12 months?

If the scheme is successful – why is it that the long-term unemployment rate has been rising?

Why is the unemployment rate for citizens and locals also rising, despite an estimated 30,000 new PRs and 20,000 new citizens granted in a year – automatically reclassifying some foreign workers into local workers?

Leong Sze Hian