Nurses, sales assistants toughest vacancies to fill by locals: MOM statistics
Registered nurse was identified as the top PMET position to fill, while shop sales assistants took the position for non-PMET occupations, according to latest data from the Manpower Ministry.
SINGAPORE: The number of job vacancies rose to 67,400 as of September 2014 - an 8.9 per cent increase from 61,900 in 2013. Registered nurses and shop sales assistants were the toughest positions to fill by locals, according to latest data released by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Of the vacancies, service and sales workers were in keen demand, representing 25 per cent of total vacancies, or 15,330 specifically. The positions included shop sales assistants, security guards and waiters, according to the press release.
In September 2014 itself, four in five of all vacancies were from the services industry. The bulk of vacancies came from community, social and personal services, healthcare and tertiary institutes, it added.
HARD TO HIRE LOCALS FOR SOME JOBS
In terms of professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), the data showed that registered nurse was in top spot for occupations hard to fill by locals. There were 720 vacancies as at September, with the top reason cited being too much competition from other employers.
Enrolled/assistant nurse - with 650 vacancies - and software, web and multimedia developer were in second and third spot respectively. Major reasons for these positions being difficult to fill were unattractive pay, a preference for a shorter work week and a reluctance to do shift work for the former, and lacking necessary work experience for the latter, according to the data.
As for non-PMET positions, shop sales assistants, security guards and waiters were the top three occupations that were hard to fill by locals, MOM stated.
A human resource expert said companies need to offer more competitive pay packages to attract and retain local employees.
Mr Ian Grundy, marketing and communications head for Asia at Adecco, said: “Some companies are struggling to fill vacancies because they are not paying a competitive salary. In a tight labour market like Singapore, you have got to be paying a competitive salary, you have got to be giving good bonus, and you have got to be giving good vacation allowance.
“This is because job seekers have got lots of choice, and if a company is not giving them something that is really attractive, they are going to go somewhere else. And what is happening from that as a result is that we are seeing a lot of jobs left open over a long period time."
The proportion of vacancies unfilled for at least six months (41 per cent) and those hard to fill by locals (67 per cent) were broadly unchanged from a year ago, as the labour market remained tight, the ministry added. Mr Grundy expects job vacancies to continue to rise this year.
- CNA/kk/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label job fair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job fair. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
8 in 10 fresh graduates get full-time job within 6 months
8 in 10 fresh graduates get full-time job within 6 months
By John Leong
POSTED: 28 Feb 2014 18:30
SINGAPORE: About eight in 10 graduates from the three autonomous universities in Singapore found a full-time job within six months.
This was slightly fewer than in 2012.
It was one of the findings of a poll of some 10,500 graduates who were in the market for a job.
The survey was conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Management University (SMU).
Fresh graduates with engineering or accountancy-related qualifications were particularly in demand across the board, while others included business, nursing, and maritime studies.
Meanwhile, the average gross monthly salary among those in full-time jobs was about S$3,200.
The median gross monthly salary was about S$3,000.
This was comparable to what they received in 2012.
SMU graduates generally led the way, with average starting salaries hitting nearly S$3,500.
Among graduates from courses requiring practical training, nearly 98 per cent found full-time employment last year.
These were in areas such as law, medicine and architecture.
On average, they earned a monthly starting salary of about S$4,600, nearly S$100 more than in 2012.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By John Leong
POSTED: 28 Feb 2014 18:30
SINGAPORE: About eight in 10 graduates from the three autonomous universities in Singapore found a full-time job within six months.
This was slightly fewer than in 2012.
It was one of the findings of a poll of some 10,500 graduates who were in the market for a job.
The survey was conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Management University (SMU).
Fresh graduates with engineering or accountancy-related qualifications were particularly in demand across the board, while others included business, nursing, and maritime studies.
Meanwhile, the average gross monthly salary among those in full-time jobs was about S$3,200.
The median gross monthly salary was about S$3,000.
This was comparable to what they received in 2012.
SMU graduates generally led the way, with average starting salaries hitting nearly S$3,500.
Among graduates from courses requiring practical training, nearly 98 per cent found full-time employment last year.
These were in areas such as law, medicine and architecture.
On average, they earned a monthly starting salary of about S$4,600, nearly S$100 more than in 2012.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Career fair at Suntec City offers 1,000 job opportunities
Career fair at Suntec City offers 1,000 job opportunities
POSTED: 09 May 2013 11:14 PM
More than 1,000 job openings in the retail and food and beverage (F&B) sectors are on offer to Singaporeans and permanent residents at the Suntec City Mall career fair this week.
SINGAPORE: More than 1,000 job openings in the retail and food and beverage (F&B) sectors are on offer to Singaporeans and permanent residents at the Suntec City Mall career fair this week.
The jobs will be created when Phase 1 of the current renovation at Suntec is completed.
More than 120 new stores are expected to open in June later this year.
These include retail stores H&M, Uniqlo, Charles and Keith, Giant and F&B establishments like Popeyes and Breadtalk.
Employers participating in the career fair said they are looking to hire people for jobs ranging from frontline positions to administrative and technical.
Some job seekers have already been offered interviews.
Roy Chua, HR manager of Paradise Group Holdings, said: "We have a new restaurant called Le Restaurant that's opening here in Suntec City in June. It's a new concept, so we hope to be attracting talents to join this new concept through this job fair."
Chief executive officer of the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), Gilbert Tan, said they are committed to provide solutions for skilled manpower to meet the needs of the retail and F&B industry.
Selected candidates will undergo customised training to raise their skills and employability so as to improve job opportunities.
This includes a 2.5-day "Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) The Service Innovator" course and a one-day "WSQ Follow Food & Beverage Safety and Hygiene Policies and Procedures" course.
The career fair ends on Friday.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 09 May 2013 11:14 PM
More than 1,000 job openings in the retail and food and beverage (F&B) sectors are on offer to Singaporeans and permanent residents at the Suntec City Mall career fair this week.
SINGAPORE: More than 1,000 job openings in the retail and food and beverage (F&B) sectors are on offer to Singaporeans and permanent residents at the Suntec City Mall career fair this week.
The jobs will be created when Phase 1 of the current renovation at Suntec is completed.
More than 120 new stores are expected to open in June later this year.
These include retail stores H&M, Uniqlo, Charles and Keith, Giant and F&B establishments like Popeyes and Breadtalk.
Employers participating in the career fair said they are looking to hire people for jobs ranging from frontline positions to administrative and technical.
Some job seekers have already been offered interviews.
Roy Chua, HR manager of Paradise Group Holdings, said: "We have a new restaurant called Le Restaurant that's opening here in Suntec City in June. It's a new concept, so we hope to be attracting talents to join this new concept through this job fair."
Chief executive officer of the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), Gilbert Tan, said they are committed to provide solutions for skilled manpower to meet the needs of the retail and F&B industry.
Selected candidates will undergo customised training to raise their skills and employability so as to improve job opportunities.
This includes a 2.5-day "Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) The Service Innovator" course and a one-day "WSQ Follow Food & Beverage Safety and Hygiene Policies and Procedures" course.
The career fair ends on Friday.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Employers go online to snoop on potential hires: survey
Employers go online to snoop on potential hires: survey
Posted: 05 March 2013 1315 hrs
SINGAPORE: Seventy-five per cent of Singapore employers use online channels to perform background checks on potential candidates, according to an online survey by JobsCentral.
The survey was conducted from August to September 2012 among hiring managers and HR personnel in Singapore.
The top three social media sites that recruiters use to snoop on job candidates are LinkedIn (38.4 per cent), Facebook (34.3 per cent) and search engines (27.5 per cent).
The survey also showed that over 60 per cent of employers would reject job-seekers who were untruthful in their resumes or interviews.
The survey also showed that most employers spend less than 60 seconds looking through a resume. Only 4.8 per cent of recruiters spend more than five minutes to screen an application.
More than 50 per cent of employers did not approve of candidates' bad-mouthing
previous employers and sharing confidential company information.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 05 March 2013 1315 hrs
SINGAPORE: Seventy-five per cent of Singapore employers use online channels to perform background checks on potential candidates, according to an online survey by JobsCentral.
The survey was conducted from August to September 2012 among hiring managers and HR personnel in Singapore.
The top three social media sites that recruiters use to snoop on job candidates are LinkedIn (38.4 per cent), Facebook (34.3 per cent) and search engines (27.5 per cent).
The survey also showed that over 60 per cent of employers would reject job-seekers who were untruthful in their resumes or interviews.
The survey also showed that most employers spend less than 60 seconds looking through a resume. Only 4.8 per cent of recruiters spend more than five minutes to screen an application.
More than 50 per cent of employers did not approve of candidates' bad-mouthing
previous employers and sharing confidential company information.
- CNA/ck
- wong chee tat :)
Local PMETs continued to face unfair foreign competition, say MPs
Local PMETs continued to face unfair foreign competition, say MPs
Posted: 06 March 2013 2021 hrs
SINGAPORE: Several MPs said local PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) continued to face unfair competition from foreign workers, despite measures announced in Budget 2013.
Budget 2013 included several announcements to raise foreign worker levies across the board.
Foreign worker quotas for industries such as retail and F&B will also be reduced.
For the higher-skilled workforce, the Manpower Ministry has said it will continue to tighten criteria for Employment Pass or EP holders.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said: "There are clearly still a number of firms that had visibly hire a large proportion of foreigners particularly in the managerial level. You can't help but think whether it is really that difficult to find Singaporeans to fill those managerial positions. These include job roles like HR, finance, compliance, auditing or general admin.
"Or is it a case where some employers or hirers may already have pre-determined mindset that foreigners with international experience can do a better job? More engagements with such employers are necessary so that they gave Singaporeans a fair chance.
"Hence, I agree with my colleagues in this House that some form of market sensing practice, when companies apply for EPs, is necessary. While it may not always leads to a Singaporean hire, at least it made the employers more conscious in their hiring process and to give our local PMEs a chance."
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said: "Employers, as responsible corporate citizens, should abide by values such as fairness. This is the case in recruitment drives. Employers need to play their part to ensure that the qualifications, training and skills required of local workers are the same as that required of the foreign workers.
"At the end of the day, I believe that we need to secure migrant workers with the right technical skills, as well as the social adaptability to co-exist with locals who are their co-workers. This will in turn help us focus on productivity and continuous improvement to build a bigger piece of the economic pie for all to share in, and more importantly to ensure benefits of growth in terms of jobs and salary will flow to Singaporeans.
"One area that the government should into is review the entry-level Employment Pass. We must ensure that employers give fair opportunity to fresh graduates from our local polytechnics and universities."
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 06 March 2013 2021 hrs
SINGAPORE: Several MPs said local PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) continued to face unfair competition from foreign workers, despite measures announced in Budget 2013.
Budget 2013 included several announcements to raise foreign worker levies across the board.
Foreign worker quotas for industries such as retail and F&B will also be reduced.
For the higher-skilled workforce, the Manpower Ministry has said it will continue to tighten criteria for Employment Pass or EP holders.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said: "There are clearly still a number of firms that had visibly hire a large proportion of foreigners particularly in the managerial level. You can't help but think whether it is really that difficult to find Singaporeans to fill those managerial positions. These include job roles like HR, finance, compliance, auditing or general admin.
"Or is it a case where some employers or hirers may already have pre-determined mindset that foreigners with international experience can do a better job? More engagements with such employers are necessary so that they gave Singaporeans a fair chance.
"Hence, I agree with my colleagues in this House that some form of market sensing practice, when companies apply for EPs, is necessary. While it may not always leads to a Singaporean hire, at least it made the employers more conscious in their hiring process and to give our local PMEs a chance."
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said: "Employers, as responsible corporate citizens, should abide by values such as fairness. This is the case in recruitment drives. Employers need to play their part to ensure that the qualifications, training and skills required of local workers are the same as that required of the foreign workers.
"At the end of the day, I believe that we need to secure migrant workers with the right technical skills, as well as the social adaptability to co-exist with locals who are their co-workers. This will in turn help us focus on productivity and continuous improvement to build a bigger piece of the economic pie for all to share in, and more importantly to ensure benefits of growth in terms of jobs and salary will flow to Singaporeans.
"One area that the government should into is review the entry-level Employment Pass. We must ensure that employers give fair opportunity to fresh graduates from our local polytechnics and universities."
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Singapore's F&B service sector reaches out to job seekers
Singapore's F&B service sector reaches out to job seekers
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 05 November 2012 1412 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's food and beverage service sector hopes to get more Singaporeans to join the industry and make up the core of new hires to fill positions ranging from rank-and-file to managerial.
The Food & Beverage Managers' Association, with the support of Workforce Development Agency (WDA), held its first career clinic on Monday at VivoCity shopping mall.
The one-day clinic aimed to provide job seekers with insights into career and training opportunities within the sector.
The clinic had 10 participating organisations, ranging from hotels to restaurants.
Career opportunities available in the industry include positions such as chefs, bartenders and servers.
Outreach efforts like this "career clinic" are organised to let the public understand the opportunities available in the industry, and entice more to join up.
About three out of 10 positions in food-and-beverage outlets here are waiting to be filled.
There are some 6,000 food and beverage establishments in Singapore. The boom in the sector is expected to continue its momentum in the coming years, which means more job openings in future.
Minister of State for Manpower and Health, Dr Amy Khor, said: "We need to continue to publicise and let Singaporeans know that there are good quality jobs in the industry with good training opportunities and career pathways and prospects. Even if they start at the bottom at the shop floor for instance, they can progress upwards and that there are many opportunities."
Back-to-work women and older workers are among those the government hopes can supplement the sector's manpower needs.
The government is encouraging firms in the industry to implement more flexible and part-time work arrangements so more can be attracted to join.
Subsidies and assistance schemes are also in place to help companies improve productivity through process and job redesigns so firms can reduce their manpower requirements.
In addition, WDA will continue to support the sector with skills upgrading programmes to increase the number of higher skilled workers.
Such programmes have allowed some to make a career switch and join the food-and-beverage industry.
Anil Kumar's passion for food was enough to convince him to cross over from the mechanical industry.
The 41-year-old earned a pastry and bakery diploma under the Workforce Skills Qualifications programme.
Starting as an intern in 2008, Anil has worked at a few places before becoming a service captain at the restaurant where he now works.
"I got bored with the job that I was doing before because it was pretty much a work that doesn't bring me anywhere. And the fact that I love food, that was the reason why I crossed over from mechanic to the food and beverage industry," he said.
Cheong Hai Poh, who is president of Food and Beverage Managers' Association of Singapore, said there are opportunities in the industry to help workers fast-track their careers.
Mr Cheong said: "You can be fast-tracked if you are performing well. You can move from a waiter to a captain within one to two years, and from a captain to assistant manager. It depends on your own performance, knowledge and skill."
- CNA/xq/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 05 November 2012 1412 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's food and beverage service sector hopes to get more Singaporeans to join the industry and make up the core of new hires to fill positions ranging from rank-and-file to managerial.
The Food & Beverage Managers' Association, with the support of Workforce Development Agency (WDA), held its first career clinic on Monday at VivoCity shopping mall.
The one-day clinic aimed to provide job seekers with insights into career and training opportunities within the sector.
The clinic had 10 participating organisations, ranging from hotels to restaurants.
Career opportunities available in the industry include positions such as chefs, bartenders and servers.
Outreach efforts like this "career clinic" are organised to let the public understand the opportunities available in the industry, and entice more to join up.
About three out of 10 positions in food-and-beverage outlets here are waiting to be filled.
There are some 6,000 food and beverage establishments in Singapore. The boom in the sector is expected to continue its momentum in the coming years, which means more job openings in future.
Minister of State for Manpower and Health, Dr Amy Khor, said: "We need to continue to publicise and let Singaporeans know that there are good quality jobs in the industry with good training opportunities and career pathways and prospects. Even if they start at the bottom at the shop floor for instance, they can progress upwards and that there are many opportunities."
Back-to-work women and older workers are among those the government hopes can supplement the sector's manpower needs.
The government is encouraging firms in the industry to implement more flexible and part-time work arrangements so more can be attracted to join.
Subsidies and assistance schemes are also in place to help companies improve productivity through process and job redesigns so firms can reduce their manpower requirements.
In addition, WDA will continue to support the sector with skills upgrading programmes to increase the number of higher skilled workers.
Such programmes have allowed some to make a career switch and join the food-and-beverage industry.
Anil Kumar's passion for food was enough to convince him to cross over from the mechanical industry.
The 41-year-old earned a pastry and bakery diploma under the Workforce Skills Qualifications programme.
Starting as an intern in 2008, Anil has worked at a few places before becoming a service captain at the restaurant where he now works.
"I got bored with the job that I was doing before because it was pretty much a work that doesn't bring me anywhere. And the fact that I love food, that was the reason why I crossed over from mechanic to the food and beverage industry," he said.
Cheong Hai Poh, who is president of Food and Beverage Managers' Association of Singapore, said there are opportunities in the industry to help workers fast-track their careers.
Mr Cheong said: "You can be fast-tracked if you are performing well. You can move from a waiter to a captain within one to two years, and from a captain to assistant manager. It depends on your own performance, knowledge and skill."
- CNA/xq/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Apple most popular employer among fresh grads
Apple most popular employer among fresh grads
Posted: 11 August 2011 1257 hrs
SINGAPORE: Apple, the maker of the iPhone and iPad, is the most popular employer among entry-level jobseekers in Singapore.
This is the second consecutive year that the technology giant clinched the top spot in the annual survey by JobsCentral.
Close to 40 per cent of the more than 3,200 local university students and graduates surveyed chose it as the company they would like to work for.
CEO of JobsCentral, Lim Der Shing, said Apple's cool factor doesn't just affect the sales of its products, but has clearly spilt over to have a positive influence on its image as an employer.
But Mr Lim added, "Just like the popular gadgets that Apple produces, it's yet to be seen whether it's a passing fad or a trend that's here to stay."
While Apple is the employer of choice overall, Google appears to appeal most to the crème de la crème among the respondents.
Among those who received or expect to graduate with a First Class Honours or Summa Cum Laude, the majority expressed that they would like to work for Google.
Last year, Google came in second in the rankings among these top students, trailing behind Apple.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) displaced Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as the top government employer.
STB has been the most popular employer in the public sector, according to the survey, for the past three years.
The survey also looked into the salary expectations of fresh graduates.
Similar to last year, most respondents picked a range between S$2,500 and S$2,999 as their expected monthly salary for their first job.
However, a greater percentage of respondents this year (33 per cent) selected the S$3,000-S$3,499 range compared to last year (27.8 per cent).
While only 15.8 per cent of the respondents expected more than S$3,500 for their first job last year, 21.9 per cent of this year's respondents expect at least S$3,500 for their first job.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 11 August 2011 1257 hrs
SINGAPORE: Apple, the maker of the iPhone and iPad, is the most popular employer among entry-level jobseekers in Singapore.
This is the second consecutive year that the technology giant clinched the top spot in the annual survey by JobsCentral.
Close to 40 per cent of the more than 3,200 local university students and graduates surveyed chose it as the company they would like to work for.
CEO of JobsCentral, Lim Der Shing, said Apple's cool factor doesn't just affect the sales of its products, but has clearly spilt over to have a positive influence on its image as an employer.
But Mr Lim added, "Just like the popular gadgets that Apple produces, it's yet to be seen whether it's a passing fad or a trend that's here to stay."
While Apple is the employer of choice overall, Google appears to appeal most to the crème de la crème among the respondents.
Among those who received or expect to graduate with a First Class Honours or Summa Cum Laude, the majority expressed that they would like to work for Google.
Last year, Google came in second in the rankings among these top students, trailing behind Apple.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) displaced Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as the top government employer.
STB has been the most popular employer in the public sector, according to the survey, for the past three years.
The survey also looked into the salary expectations of fresh graduates.
Similar to last year, most respondents picked a range between S$2,500 and S$2,999 as their expected monthly salary for their first job.
However, a greater percentage of respondents this year (33 per cent) selected the S$3,000-S$3,499 range compared to last year (27.8 per cent).
While only 15.8 per cent of the respondents expected more than S$3,500 for their first job last year, 21.9 per cent of this year's respondents expect at least S$3,500 for their first job.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
NTU launches virtual job fair
NTU launches virtual job fair
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 22 February 2011 1846 hrs
SINGAPORE: The National Technological University (NTU) has launched a virtual career fair, believed to be the region's first, for its students and potential employees.
NTU said there are a record 175 companies taking part in the career fair this year, 60 per cent more recruiters compared to those in 2010.
The number of jobs offered at the fair this year doubled to a whopping 4,500, with about 80 per cent of recruiters from the private sector.
One of the features of the NTU iFair is the virtual career portal developed by NTU, which enables students to meet potential employers, online.
NTU's Career & Attachment Office director Loh Pui Wah said career fairs in the past tend to be brick-and-mortar.
"But with the evolvement of web technology, we want to bring the career fair (to the virtual world), so that companies... can make use of the web to (interact) with the students," Mr Loh said.
About 50 companies have signed up for a piece of the virtual real estate.
And as hiring sentiments make a positive comeback from last year, recruiters look set to step up on their branding for a tech-savvy generation.
DSO National Laboratories human resources assistant director Serene Tan said NTU's iFair is helpful because it is virtual, and cuts down on logistic effort to set up physical career booths.
"They have been quick to set the virtual booth up with some customisation and we will be putting up positions available on our DSO corporate website, which is directly linked to the iFair," she said.
Ms Tan added iFair will also help them get in touch with students on overseas attachments who are unable to attend the physical career fair.
The iFair is set to run from March 14 this year, and will continue to be accessible till June 30, 2011.
Meanwhile, the physical career fair runs on February 22 and 25 at NTU's Nanyang Auditorium.
-CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 22 February 2011 1846 hrs
SINGAPORE: The National Technological University (NTU) has launched a virtual career fair, believed to be the region's first, for its students and potential employees.
NTU said there are a record 175 companies taking part in the career fair this year, 60 per cent more recruiters compared to those in 2010.
The number of jobs offered at the fair this year doubled to a whopping 4,500, with about 80 per cent of recruiters from the private sector.
One of the features of the NTU iFair is the virtual career portal developed by NTU, which enables students to meet potential employers, online.
NTU's Career & Attachment Office director Loh Pui Wah said career fairs in the past tend to be brick-and-mortar.
"But with the evolvement of web technology, we want to bring the career fair (to the virtual world), so that companies... can make use of the web to (interact) with the students," Mr Loh said.
About 50 companies have signed up for a piece of the virtual real estate.
And as hiring sentiments make a positive comeback from last year, recruiters look set to step up on their branding for a tech-savvy generation.
DSO National Laboratories human resources assistant director Serene Tan said NTU's iFair is helpful because it is virtual, and cuts down on logistic effort to set up physical career booths.
"They have been quick to set the virtual booth up with some customisation and we will be putting up positions available on our DSO corporate website, which is directly linked to the iFair," she said.
Ms Tan added iFair will also help them get in touch with students on overseas attachments who are unable to attend the physical career fair.
The iFair is set to run from March 14 this year, and will continue to be accessible till June 30, 2011.
Meanwhile, the physical career fair runs on February 22 and 25 at NTU's Nanyang Auditorium.
-CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Fewer people intend to pursue further studies: survey
Fewer people intend to pursue further studies: survey
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 14 December 2010 1419 hrs
SINGAPORE: With an improving economy, it seems job seekers now have the upper hand when it comes to looking for work.
Employment portal JobsCentral said with less of an immediate need to upgrade themselves, its online survey of 5,001 respondents showed that fewer people in Singapore are intending to pursue further education.
71.4 per cent of the respondents indicated that they would continue with further studies, compared with 79.3 per cent last year.
JobsCentral said this is likely due to changing priorities on the part of working professionals in Singapore.
It added that the strong economic recovery has reduced unemployment and it is increasingly becoming a jobseeker's market.
As such, working professionals no longer feel an immediate need to upgrade themselves. They are also less willing to spend on getting that extra certificate.
Among those who intend to pursue a bachelor's degree, 60.1 per cent are willing to pay S$20,000 or more, down from last year's 64.8 per cent.
JobsCentral also attributed this to the strong economy and tight employment where workers feel more confident in their professional future.
The JobsCentral Learning Survey was conducted online from August 23 to September 13.
- CNA/ac/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 14 December 2010 1419 hrs
SINGAPORE: With an improving economy, it seems job seekers now have the upper hand when it comes to looking for work.
Employment portal JobsCentral said with less of an immediate need to upgrade themselves, its online survey of 5,001 respondents showed that fewer people in Singapore are intending to pursue further education.
71.4 per cent of the respondents indicated that they would continue with further studies, compared with 79.3 per cent last year.
JobsCentral said this is likely due to changing priorities on the part of working professionals in Singapore.
It added that the strong economic recovery has reduced unemployment and it is increasingly becoming a jobseeker's market.
As such, working professionals no longer feel an immediate need to upgrade themselves. They are also less willing to spend on getting that extra certificate.
Among those who intend to pursue a bachelor's degree, 60.1 per cent are willing to pay S$20,000 or more, down from last year's 64.8 per cent.
JobsCentral also attributed this to the strong economy and tight employment where workers feel more confident in their professional future.
The JobsCentral Learning Survey was conducted online from August 23 to September 13.
- CNA/ac/al
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
US firms post best job gains in three years
US firms post best job gains in three years
Posted: 01 December 2010 2153 hrs
WASHINGTON : US private sector employment saw strong gains in November, with payrolls expanding by 93,000 -- the largest jump in three years, payrolls firm ADP said Wednesday.
"This month's ADP national employment report shows an acceleration of employment and suggests the nation's employment situation is brightening somewhat," the firm said.
The 10th consecutive month of gains offered hope that the job sector, still convalescing after a brutal economic recession, was on the mend.
But ADP warned "employment gains of this magnitude are not sufficient to lower the unemployment rate".
That echoes concerns by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, who on Tuesday warned current high levels of unemployment could become entrenched and have a "very long-term effect" on the US economy.
Describing job creation as "probably the most important economic issue facing America today," Bernanke cautioned on the risks of long-term unemployment.
With nearly 40 percent of the US workforce unemployed for more than six months, fears are growing that that high jobless rates may be more than a temporary result of a brutal recession.
"This is very unusual and very worrisome," Bernanke said, warning that workers could become detached from the workforce, skills could erode over time and firms become more skeptical about the unemployed.
"This could have a very long-term effect on people's wages, on their employability," Bernanke said.
He added the world's largest economy was not growing fast enough to handle even the number of people entering the workforce, with 2.0 percent to 2.5 percent growth needed to just to keep up.
The Fed has predicted gross domestic product growth will hit 2.4-2.5 percent this year.
The unemployment rate remained stuck at 9.6 percent in October for the third month in a row.
The November jobs report is due on Friday.
- AFP/ch
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 01 December 2010 2153 hrs
WASHINGTON : US private sector employment saw strong gains in November, with payrolls expanding by 93,000 -- the largest jump in three years, payrolls firm ADP said Wednesday.
"This month's ADP national employment report shows an acceleration of employment and suggests the nation's employment situation is brightening somewhat," the firm said.
The 10th consecutive month of gains offered hope that the job sector, still convalescing after a brutal economic recession, was on the mend.
But ADP warned "employment gains of this magnitude are not sufficient to lower the unemployment rate".
That echoes concerns by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, who on Tuesday warned current high levels of unemployment could become entrenched and have a "very long-term effect" on the US economy.
Describing job creation as "probably the most important economic issue facing America today," Bernanke cautioned on the risks of long-term unemployment.
With nearly 40 percent of the US workforce unemployed for more than six months, fears are growing that that high jobless rates may be more than a temporary result of a brutal recession.
"This is very unusual and very worrisome," Bernanke said, warning that workers could become detached from the workforce, skills could erode over time and firms become more skeptical about the unemployed.
"This could have a very long-term effect on people's wages, on their employability," Bernanke said.
He added the world's largest economy was not growing fast enough to handle even the number of people entering the workforce, with 2.0 percent to 2.5 percent growth needed to just to keep up.
The Fed has predicted gross domestic product growth will hit 2.4-2.5 percent this year.
The unemployment rate remained stuck at 9.6 percent in October for the third month in a row.
The November jobs report is due on Friday.
- AFP/ch
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Healthcare industry offers over 1,100 jobs at Healthcare Career Fair
 |
||||||
 Singapore nurses at Changi General hospital |
||||||
SINGAPORE: More than 1,000 jobs in the healthcare sector were
offered at a career fair held in the heartlands on Sunday morning.
The North East CDC said two in five positions were targeted at PMETs.
More than a thousand people turned up to see what seven healthcare companies had to offer.
These included the Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, Alexandra Health, NTUC ElderCare, MOH Holdings, and Jurong Health Services, who will manage the new Jurong General Hospital.
The National Healthcare Group Polyclinics and MOH Holdings received 500 job applications each.
For some, the lack of experience in the industry did not worry them, as training would be provided.
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "There are also training providers here who will help prepare them for jobs in the healthcare industry. These can be funded through SPUR programmes. The course fees and some training allowance."
Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: "Not all jobs are needing some specialisation, some are more general in nature. So I think for those who are job seekers, they can consider the health care sector - relatively recession-proof and at the same time, they don't pay too badly."
The North East CDC said two in five positions were targeted at PMETs.
More than a thousand people turned up to see what seven healthcare companies had to offer.
These included the Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, Alexandra Health, NTUC ElderCare, MOH Holdings, and Jurong Health Services, who will manage the new Jurong General Hospital.
The National Healthcare Group Polyclinics and MOH Holdings received 500 job applications each.
For some, the lack of experience in the industry did not worry them, as training would be provided.
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "There are also training providers here who will help prepare them for jobs in the healthcare industry. These can be funded through SPUR programmes. The course fees and some training allowance."
Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: "Not all jobs are needing some specialisation, some are more general in nature. So I think for those who are job seekers, they can consider the health care sector - relatively recession-proof and at the same time, they don't pay too badly."
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Singapore's ICT sector grew despite recession in 2009
Singapore's ICT sector grew despite recession in 2009
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 March 2010 2233 hrs
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 March 2010 2233 hrs
 |
||||||
|
||||||
SINGAPORE : Despite the economic downturn last year, the
information and communications sector was the only area that saw growth.
And this trend is set to continue in 2010.
In addition, more jobs can be expected in the infocomm industry.
Last year, the strong areas of employment growth included digital media and animation, software development and research & development.
Acting Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew said this at a gala dinner for the industry on Friday night.
He said the government will continue to ensure Singapore continues to maintain a pro-infocomm and pro-business environment - all to make Singapore an ideal place for investment.
Mr Lui said: "I expect IT spending to go up. The prognosis for the IT sector for 2010 is good. We know that in 2009, despite the downturn, it was one of the bright spots in terms of economic performance.
"For 2010, both the IDA (Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore) survey, and the SITF (Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation) survey indicated that 70 per cent or more of the companies have plans to expand their operations.
"2010 will be an even better year for them. And we think that this will result in more hiring and more opportunities for people."
As for homes, more than eight in 10 households are now connected to the internet. This is one of the fastest growth in years.
In 2008, three out of four households had an internet connection.
In addition, more jobs can be expected in the infocomm industry.
Last year, the strong areas of employment growth included digital media and animation, software development and research & development.
Acting Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew said this at a gala dinner for the industry on Friday night.
He said the government will continue to ensure Singapore continues to maintain a pro-infocomm and pro-business environment - all to make Singapore an ideal place for investment.
Mr Lui said: "I expect IT spending to go up. The prognosis for the IT sector for 2010 is good. We know that in 2009, despite the downturn, it was one of the bright spots in terms of economic performance.
"For 2010, both the IDA (Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore) survey, and the SITF (Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation) survey indicated that 70 per cent or more of the companies have plans to expand their operations.
"2010 will be an even better year for them. And we think that this will result in more hiring and more opportunities for people."
As for homes, more than eight in 10 households are now connected to the internet. This is one of the fastest growth in years.
In 2008, three out of four households had an internet connection.
-
CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Over 5,500 job opportunities at career and education exhibition
 |
||||||
|
||||||
SINGAPORE : Singapore's largest career and education exhibition
opened on Thursday at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition
centre.
Over 5,500 job opportunities are on offer at Career and Training 2010: Education 2010.
Over 320 companies and schools from 12 countries are taking part.
The two integrated resorts are also recruiting.
One of them, Marina Bay Sands, is looking to fill 500 job vacancies.
Over eight state and private universities are also participating in the exhibition.
Over 300,000 visitors are expected at the exhibition which ends on Sunday.
Over 5,500 job opportunities are on offer at Career and Training 2010: Education 2010.
Over 320 companies and schools from 12 countries are taking part.
The two integrated resorts are also recruiting.
One of them, Marina Bay Sands, is looking to fill 500 job vacancies.
Over eight state and private universities are also participating in the exhibition.
Over 300,000 visitors are expected at the exhibition which ends on Sunday.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn
Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 January 2010 1136 hrs
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 January 2010 1136 hrs
 |
|||||||||||
Office workers in Singapore |
|||||||||||
|
SINGAPORE: Despite the recession, diploma-holders appear to have no trouble finding work. A recent survey by Singapore's five polytechnics showed that nearly nine in 10 graduates last year were employed, with a growing number seeking temporary jobs.
Fresh grad employment rate stood at 88.3 per cent, while post-NS employment rate was 87.7 per cent.
Renugah Balachandran graduated from Republic Polytechnic last year. Within a month, she found a job with the Singapore Navy, under a scheme that will bond her for four years.
She said: "I wanted a stable job once I graduated so that I don't have to sit down and think that - 'why did I study?'"
Stability is certainly a big draw for the growing number of diploma holders who are looking at the public sector, which also started hiring more aggressively in 2009.
The healthcare and education sectors were among those that stepped up recruitment efforts.
The survey showed that 18.9 per cent of fresh polytechnic graduates found jobs in the civil service, up from 14.3 per cent in 2008 and 12.3 per cent in 2007.
Among post-NS graduates, the proportion went up to 27.3 per cent.
Tan Hang Cheong, principal, Singapore Polytechnic, said: "Last year, the government opened up more places because of the recession. The public sector has now offered better career development, advances, for diploma graduates.
"We hear stories of graduates who've joined the public sector and they've been offered scholarships for further studies and further development if they're doing well in their job."
Pay could be another reason.
Renugah earns about S$2,300 a month including allowance, much higher than the S$1,776 gross her peers earn on average.
Post-National Service graduates earn about S$2,130 on average.
Starting salaries for fresh diploma-holders have dipped and recruiters said anecdotally, wages at bigger firms have gone down to a bigger extent than what smaller firms are offering. Still, the draw remains.
Peter Haglund, country manager, Manpower Inc Singapore, said: "Most of what these MNCs have is a whole package of career management, career prospects and personnel development, which many of the small companies don't have.
"These benefits cost money as well. If you look at the whole employment package, they might not offer less value, but they might offer you less gross salary."
Highest earners are those in the maritime category, with starting pay of S$1,970 gross. Media and Design graduates got the least, at just S$1,642 gross.
With the economy still in recession early last year, more poly graduates chose part-time or temporary work - one in four compared to one in five in the previous survey.
The reasons are varied. Some are holding out for better job opportunities while others have opted for further studies.
Recruiters added that as companies find increasingly flexible ways to manage their manpower, the type of contract work that is being offered has also become increasingly attractive.
Graduate employment data for degree holders is expected to be out in March.
But a survey by the Singapore Human Resource Institute showed that in August 2009, while entry level pay for diploma holders rose slightly from February, that for degree holders dipped.
For instance, those with engineering degrees were offered on average S$2,451, compared to S$2,500 six months before.
- CNA/vm
- wong chee tat :)
Companies still concerned about rising costs, inflation
Companies still concerned about rising costs, inflation
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 January 2010 0042 hrs
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 January 2010 0042 hrs
SINGAPORE : Even as the Singapore economy shows signs of recovery, companies have said they are still concerned about rising business costs and inflation.
But economists believe excess capacity around the world may somewhat cushion the impact.
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) said two key thrusts for the year are manpower training and tapping on opportunities in the services sector. But uncertainties in Western markets remain a threat.
Speaking at a seminar on Friday, Teo Siong Seng, president, SCCCI, said: "We hope there will be fewer surprises like the Dubai credit crunch, and also cost - manpower cost and oil prices firming up. There is a concern whether there will be an inflation pressure in 2010."
But some economists said excess global capacity may keep inflationary pressure in check for now. And companies re-stocking inventories could provide support to world economies.
David Cohen, director of Asian Economic Forecasting, Action Economics, said: "So far, all we have had is just a slowing in the reduction in inventory. We have not seen much rebuilding yet, so that could potentially still remain supportive for at least the near term. I do not think it poses a major threat to the outlook for 2010."
Mr Cohen also expects the MSCI Asia-Pacific Equity Index to grow by about 10 per cent this year, in line with global economic recovery. The index mounted a strong rebound at the end of 2009, gaining some 34 per cent.
Still, observers have warned that there may be some headwinds that could restrain recovery in 2010. They include sluggish G7 growth after the crisis, weak consumer spending in the US and potential foreign exchange pressures.
Industry players also expect central banks to tighten their monetary policy this year.
Speaking at the seminar, UBS said the three-month Singapore Interbank Offered Rate could reach 0.8 per cent by end-2010, from the 0.5 per cent currently.
Going forward, observers expect Asia to lead the global turnaround, partly due to stronger balance sheets and robust rebound in manufacturing and trade. In particular, the prospects for China, India and Indonesia are most promising.
Professor Bernard Yeung, dean, NUS Business School, said: "New growth has to come out from very sharp resource allocation.
"The challenges would be how do we deal with allocation efficiency problem, how do we deal with productivity enhancement issues, how do we deal with cleaning up the environment, giving people good education, good healthcare that we can keep ourselves as a high skill, high productivity, innovative economy."
Experts also warned about asset bubbles which could push prices beyond fundamentals.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
For fresh grads, a Catch-22 situation
| For fresh grads, a Catch-22 situation | ||
 | ||
| By Tan Ying Ding IT HAS been nine months and 10 days since I graduated - for me, a transitional period that I call bittersweet. Now, with a recent letter from the Central Provident Fund Board requesting I repay in cash the amount withdrawn for my university education, I'm reminded that I am among the statistics of fresh graduates struggling to land a job in the current global economic downturn. Since I graduated in July, I have sent a total of 32 resumes to statutory boards, government ministries, private financial institutions, etc. Six companies replied - five to offer me an interview, one to reject me. Though my peers might have sent out more cover letters and resumes, I believe there is a growing sentiment of depression felt equally by us all - we might have consigned ourselves to the waiting room of Limbo, considering the need to seek a psychiatrist. More companies have frozen their headcounts, others have retracted job offers - as has happened with a few of my friends. Still others are cutting back on hiring fresh graduates with little or no working experience. Indeed, after seven months of trying, I even allowed myself to be coaxed by a licensed representative of a leading life insurance company in Singapore into taking the Capital Markets & Financial Advisory Services Module 5 examination (requisite for all representatives of licensed and exempted financial advisers). This, even though the social stigma currently attached to the job of a financial adviser clashes with my introverted personality. In the meantime, it seems I'm caught in a perennial waiting game. I send resumes and cover letters, then wait to hear from the human resource personnel. I take screening and personality tests, then wait for the actual job interview, where I wait again for the inevitable but dreaded question: 'What is the reason for your unemployment gap?' Call it a Catch-22 for fresh graduates: we don't have the experience needed for the job, but how can we prove ourselves if we cannot get anyone to hire us in the first place? The market, having shifted from a seller's market to a buyer's market in the months before I graduated, does not look set to improve - quite the contrary, in fact. Come this July, the graduating class of undergraduates from the three local universities will be unleashed into the job market, and competition might well intensify. This influx is one more concern, especially for those like me. I read sociology, considered a general degree, which I had thought would offer me considerable options in the working world. After all, my peers who opted out of the honours track and hence graduated a year earlier than I did are all working in very different professions: sales, teaching, banking, communications and even airspace management, to name but a few. But it seems my repeated tries are telling me otherwise. While I do not disparage the discipline for which I have much respect, I do in hindsight wonder if it was prudent for me to have chosen my major out of interest rather than practical reasons. Now, I am dejected, and at times worried that the woes of my unemployed status will spill over into other areas of my life. Wallowing in self-misery, however, is not a solution. In the meantime, I have chosen to give tuition, which has been a really rewarding experience. As my students grow and improve, I find myself with more assignments coming my way. Even more, I am determined to keep my chin up, though I still long for the day when I can be truly proud of that graduation portrait of mine silently residing in the living room. The writer, 25, graduated from NUS last year with a degree in sociology. He is currently giving tuition while applying feverishly for a job. |
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Career Fair 2009
20-22 March 2009
Suntec Singapore, Halls 602 & 603, level 6
10 - 7pm Daily
Highlights of Career Expo 2009
1. Apply for jobs with prestigious companies!
2. Sign up for valuable training courses to upgrade yourself!
3. Attend free career talks and learn useful job hunting tips!
- http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/V6HTML/HOME/careerexpo2009/jobseeker/
- wong chee tat :)
Suntec Singapore, Halls 602 & 603, level 6
10 - 7pm Daily
Highlights of Career Expo 2009
1. Apply for jobs with prestigious companies!
2. Sign up for valuable training courses to upgrade yourself!
3. Attend free career talks and learn useful job hunting tips!
- http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/V6HTML/HOME/careerexpo2009/jobseeker/
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, March 6, 2009
NCSS says 500 jobs available in social service sector
NCSS says 500 jobs available in social service sector
Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Calling social workers, therapists, special education teachers, counsellors and nurses. The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) is seeking mid—career professionals to join the social service sector.
NCSS said it is beefing up the sector’s capability and expertise to meet rising social challenges and is looking for those with the relevant skills to fill up the 500 positions available.
It added that it is offering various schemes and scholarships which they can tap on.
Examples are the Bachelor of Social Work programme offered by the Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) and Monash University, as well as the VWO—Charities Capability Fund (VCF) Scholarship Grant for individuals who wish to pursue studies in social work.
Those looking for a mid—career switch can take up the Professional Conversion Programmes for nurses and therapists.
More information is available at this website.
The NCSS is also taking part in the Career 2009 and Education 2009 Fair running from March 5 to 8 at the Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
— CNA/vm
- wong chee tat :)
Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Calling social workers, therapists, special education teachers, counsellors and nurses. The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) is seeking mid—career professionals to join the social service sector.
NCSS said it is beefing up the sector’s capability and expertise to meet rising social challenges and is looking for those with the relevant skills to fill up the 500 positions available.
It added that it is offering various schemes and scholarships which they can tap on.
Examples are the Bachelor of Social Work programme offered by the Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) and Monash University, as well as the VWO—Charities Capability Fund (VCF) Scholarship Grant for individuals who wish to pursue studies in social work.
Those looking for a mid—career switch can take up the Professional Conversion Programmes for nurses and therapists.
More information is available at this website.
The NCSS is also taking part in the Career 2009 and Education 2009 Fair running from March 5 to 8 at the Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
— CNA/vm
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, February 27, 2009
4,800 flock to job fair
4,800 flock to job fair
On offer: 3,000 places in the service industry
By Tessa Wong
Job-seekers crowding the Jelutung Community Club in Sembawang, where more than 40 employers were offering posts in the service sector at a job fair organised by North West CDC yesterday. In a sign of increasingly hard times, more than 1,000 hopefuls turned up at the job fair within the first hour.
WHEN organisers of a job fair at Jelutong Community Centre in Sembawang opened the doors at 9.30 am yesterday, they were greeted by a long line of waiting people.
Over 1,000 arrived within the first hour of the North West Community Development Council's (CDC) job fair yesterday. By the time it ended at 4.30pm, the number had risen to 4,800.
The event brought together 40 service industry employers offering more than 3,000 jobs and was the largest recruitment fair organised by a CDC.
Fast-food chain McDonald's, security firm Cisco and department store Metro were among those offering jobs, mostly rank and file positions. About 10 per cent were managerial or executive posts.
Many job seekers made a beeline for the Resorts World at Sentosa booth, which had over 1,000 applications by the end of the fair. The integrated resort was offering 300 jobs, half of which are for the Universal Studios theme park.
A sign of increasingly hard times for job seekers, the overwhelming turnout mirrored that at other job fairs held recently. One organised by the South East CDC on Saturday saw over 5,000 hopefuls going after 1,000 jobs on offer.
Yesterday's crowd left Dr Lim Wee Kiak, a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, worried.
He said: 'We were a little surprised by the response. It's a weekday...it's not somewhere in town, yet we are enjoying an overwhelming response. It is a worrisome sign as well.
'I hope that Singaporeans will be a little bit more receptive and take up job offers that may not exactly fit 100 per cent of their criteria, that they will be flexible enough to accept that times are tough.'
The North West district, which includes Woodlands, Bukit Timah and Sembawang, has seen a 43 per cent rise in job seekers between September and last month. Noting the rise among the unemployed and retrenched, mayor Teo Ho Pin said yesterday that the council would be spending $1.6 million this year to help residents find jobs.
See 150 security jobs available at North East CDC job fair
- wong chee tat :)
On offer: 3,000 places in the service industry
By Tessa Wong
Job-seekers crowding the Jelutung Community Club in Sembawang, where more than 40 employers were offering posts in the service sector at a job fair organised by North West CDC yesterday. In a sign of increasingly hard times, more than 1,000 hopefuls turned up at the job fair within the first hour.
WHEN organisers of a job fair at Jelutong Community Centre in Sembawang opened the doors at 9.30 am yesterday, they were greeted by a long line of waiting people.
Over 1,000 arrived within the first hour of the North West Community Development Council's (CDC) job fair yesterday. By the time it ended at 4.30pm, the number had risen to 4,800.
The event brought together 40 service industry employers offering more than 3,000 jobs and was the largest recruitment fair organised by a CDC.
Fast-food chain McDonald's, security firm Cisco and department store Metro were among those offering jobs, mostly rank and file positions. About 10 per cent were managerial or executive posts.
Many job seekers made a beeline for the Resorts World at Sentosa booth, which had over 1,000 applications by the end of the fair. The integrated resort was offering 300 jobs, half of which are for the Universal Studios theme park.
A sign of increasingly hard times for job seekers, the overwhelming turnout mirrored that at other job fairs held recently. One organised by the South East CDC on Saturday saw over 5,000 hopefuls going after 1,000 jobs on offer.
Yesterday's crowd left Dr Lim Wee Kiak, a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, worried.
He said: 'We were a little surprised by the response. It's a weekday...it's not somewhere in town, yet we are enjoying an overwhelming response. It is a worrisome sign as well.
'I hope that Singaporeans will be a little bit more receptive and take up job offers that may not exactly fit 100 per cent of their criteria, that they will be flexible enough to accept that times are tough.'
The North West district, which includes Woodlands, Bukit Timah and Sembawang, has seen a 43 per cent rise in job seekers between September and last month. Noting the rise among the unemployed and retrenched, mayor Teo Ho Pin said yesterday that the council would be spending $1.6 million this year to help residents find jobs.
See 150 security jobs available at North East CDC job fair
- wong chee tat :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)