Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Skills Training and Empowerment Programme (STEP), the Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, has defended sweeping reforms to the long-running initiative, insisting no participants will lose their jobs.

The minister said on Feb. 12^th, that STEP, launched in 2012 to help unskilled workers integrate into the workforce, must now be placed on a sustainable level after more than a decade in operation. 

Consultations with businesses began last year, with some agreeing to cost-sharing arrangements.

Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.

The government is urging businesses that have hosted STEP workers for years to transition them into full employment, arguing it is a fair request given the public investment.