GOING for retraining is no guarantee of securing a job - even in the fast-growing services industry, if the experiences of some unsuccessful job seekers are anything to go by.
According to them, age discrimination is still rampant in this sector, which would go against the Government's efforts to retrain mature workers.
Currently getting by on overseas contract assignments, food and beverage manager Joe Lim, 53, attended an Employability Camp for PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) at e2i in April. But he told Today that he and his friends from the F & B line have "given up looking for a job in Singapore".
Citing the example of how his boss, who was a maitre d', is now a waiter at a country club, Mr Lim said: "Employers are looking for younger and cheaper hires. It's hard to get a job if you're above 35, unless through referrals."
Another job seeker, Ms Tan Bee Heng, 48, has sent out "two to three" applications - and gotten one rejection - since she completed the Certified Service Professional course two weeks ago at the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
"I think it's because of my age that employers don't seem very interested in hiring me. They say things like 'Oh, this year you're 48'," said the petite, well-groomed woman, who had been working in a printing firm for 22 years before she was retrenched in May.
The concern is palpable especially when more than half of those above 40 are deemed to be more vulnerable to job cuts during the recession.
When told this, Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union (SISEU) executive secretary Josephine Teo said that while it was "true there will be individuals who will find it hard to find a job ... the services industry is very broad".
Mrs Teo, who is also a Member of Parliament, noted that certain service jobs in health, education and transportation were more open to hiring mature workers.
But it is not always the case with retail, said Mrs Teo citing ION Orchard as an example which was pitching at a different market.
Still, Mrs Teo said there was no reason why mature workers cannot work as front-line staff.
"I had impeccable service from a sales assistant in Macy's. She looked like she was 70, but she carried herself very well and she was very persuasive."
With the silver dollar market growing, Mrs Teo added that retailers would benefit from hiring older staff.
"Take for instance, handphone shops. I don't use a lot of the functions offered on some of these high-tech phones, and the buttons are so tiny - so I would like someone who is able to empathise. I find that mature workers are more likely to do that," said Mrs Teo, 41.
Beauty chain Skin Inc owner Sabrina Tan agreed. In a profession which exalts youth, half of her 14-strong staff are in their 30s, and her latest hire is 40.
"Age is not an issue. You should be well-groomed but I don't expect staff with perfect skin. I expect them to be independent, experienced and have good customer skills," she said.
Jumbo Group of Restaurants general manager Ang Kiam Meng reiterated that his company has many job vacancies in waitering, service operations and management.
Said Mr Ang: "We don't discriminate people in their 40s. In fact, we welcome them to apply for a job with us."
- TODAY newspaper
No comments:
Post a Comment