WITH the economy in a tailspin, 27,200 people sought help from community development councils (CDCs) to find jobs during the first four months of this year, an increase of more than two times from about 13,200 during the same period last year.
According to latest released figures from the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), successful job placements too are on the rise.
Thanks to the collective efforts of the five CDCs here and the Employment and Employability Institute or e2i, NTUC's job training and placement arm, 10,500 job seekers were placed between January and the end of April. For the whole of last year, the CDCs managed to place 13,000 job seekers.
Islandwide, about six in 10 of the registered job seekers at CDCs are above the age of 40, and seven in 10 have secondary qualifications and below.
To cope with the surge in those seeking jobs, the five CDCs have beefed up both the range and frequency of their career outreach programmes.
Since January, South East CDC has held 'mobile recruitment drives' by setting up booths at MRT stations to target those in need of a job but not sure where to get help.
The North East and Central Singapore CDCs have begun outreach efforts to tap potential employers. CDC officers have been combing neighbourhood malls and offices to source for jobs.
So far, the North East CDC has garnered more than 330 vacancies, mostly in food and beverage and retail.
- The Straits Times
May 30, 2009
May 26, 2009
Home Team promotes 2,494 officers and seeks to recruit another 1,500
A total of 2,494 officers from the Home Team received their promotion certificates on Monday from Law Minister, K Shanmugam.
The Home Team Promotion Ceremony was held to recognise deserving officers who had shown the potential to take on greater responsibilities for the overall safety and security of Singapore.
The Home Team had embarked on an aggressive drive to recruit up to 1,500 officers.
So far, it has already employed about 500 of them in the first quarter of this year alone, a two-fold increase compared to the same period last year.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, also revealed that the ministry has leveraged on online media platforms to recruit good candidates, such as Facebook and YouTube.
He also said there will be a new educational sponsorship scheme for applicants to study at polytechnics.
The Home Team is also looking at ways to re-employ officers who are fast approaching the retirement age.
Those who are deserving and are able to meet the demands of the job will be re-employed for a further five years.
Those who are unable to meet certain criteria may be offered employment on civilian schemes.
- Channel News Asia
The Home Team Promotion Ceremony was held to recognise deserving officers who had shown the potential to take on greater responsibilities for the overall safety and security of Singapore.
The Home Team had embarked on an aggressive drive to recruit up to 1,500 officers.
So far, it has already employed about 500 of them in the first quarter of this year alone, a two-fold increase compared to the same period last year.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, also revealed that the ministry has leveraged on online media platforms to recruit good candidates, such as Facebook and YouTube.
He also said there will be a new educational sponsorship scheme for applicants to study at polytechnics.
The Home Team is also looking at ways to re-employ officers who are fast approaching the retirement age.
Those who are deserving and are able to meet the demands of the job will be re-employed for a further five years.
Those who are unable to meet certain criteria may be offered employment on civilian schemes.
- Channel News Asia
May 15, 2009
Hiring at ION continues
ABOUT 2,000 people will show up from now till Sunday to network with employers and go for interviews, in hopes of landing one of 3,000 jobs at ION Orchard.
The retail-cum-superluxe residential complex launched one of the final stages of its massive job hunt on Thursday at Raffles City, in partnership with the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and the Workforce Development Agency.
e2i and the WDA took charge of pre-screening the 5,000 applicants, and sent them for training such as service booster courses before the jobseekers met employers on Friday.
Twenty-three brands such as Bebe, TopShop and Cold Storage had set up booths to interview prospective employees as well as promote their companies to the jobseekers.
At this round of sessions, there are 1,500 jobs to fill, mostly frontline or senior positions.
The other 1,500 jobs will be offered through ongoing e2i job fairs that are held twice a month.
Club 21's human resource director Rina Ong said the unique job-matching fair would save her time and effort from the usual hiring process. 'Usually, you have people looking for jobs, including a whole barrage of people just trying their luck,' she said. 'This is much more concentrated and focused.'
Such a screening-cum-job fair method seems to be working well for e2i, said its chairman Ong Ye Kung. He described how in the past, it had organised mass job fairs, but those became a huge 'pasar malam' (night market) and were too noisy and difficult for employers to find proper staff.
It had also tried small boutique events, but too few people found jobs through them, despite the amount of work put in.
This screening-then-interview method was a 'good balance', he said.
- The Straits Times
The retail-cum-superluxe residential complex launched one of the final stages of its massive job hunt on Thursday at Raffles City, in partnership with the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and the Workforce Development Agency.
e2i and the WDA took charge of pre-screening the 5,000 applicants, and sent them for training such as service booster courses before the jobseekers met employers on Friday.
Twenty-three brands such as Bebe, TopShop and Cold Storage had set up booths to interview prospective employees as well as promote their companies to the jobseekers.
At this round of sessions, there are 1,500 jobs to fill, mostly frontline or senior positions.
The other 1,500 jobs will be offered through ongoing e2i job fairs that are held twice a month.
Club 21's human resource director Rina Ong said the unique job-matching fair would save her time and effort from the usual hiring process. 'Usually, you have people looking for jobs, including a whole barrage of people just trying their luck,' she said. 'This is much more concentrated and focused.'
Such a screening-cum-job fair method seems to be working well for e2i, said its chairman Ong Ye Kung. He described how in the past, it had organised mass job fairs, but those became a huge 'pasar malam' (night market) and were too noisy and difficult for employers to find proper staff.
It had also tried small boutique events, but too few people found jobs through them, despite the amount of work put in.
This screening-then-interview method was a 'good balance', he said.
- The Straits Times
May 13, 2009
StanChart to hire 100 private wealth managers
BANKING giant Standard Chartered will hire 100 private bankers over the next 12 months, despite a weak hiring forecast for the financial sector.
The British-listed lender, which has a major presence in Singapore, aims to bolster the presence of its wealth management arm in fast-growing markets across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Although StanChart declined to elaborate further, a bank source said most of the new hires will probably be based in Asia, with the remaining going to Europe and the Middle East.
The global head of its private bank unit, Mr Peter Flavel, said yesterday that despite the challenging economic climate, the bank is in good shape, allowing it to grow and support the increasing needs of its clients.
'As we're seeing a continuing increase in client demand for our private banking services, we will continue to invest in attracting talent to further strengthen our proposition,' said Mr Flavel.
He added that the bank is looking for talented people who possess excellent track records and would be consistent in meeting the expectations of its high net worth clients.
'We are here to meet clients' needs. To achieve this, we need a certain type of relationship manager - someone with exceptional people and advisory skills, a strong team player, commitment to building long-term partnerships with clients.'
StanChart bucked the trend of the banking sector by reporting that profits for last year had soared 19 per cent to a record US$4.8 billion (S$7 billion).
About 100 relationship managers out of its private bank's worldwide total of 350 are based in Singapore, its global headquarters.
The bank's move to beef up its wealth management unit goes against the grain of employment forecasts for the banking and finance sector.
Last week, a report from the recruitment group Kelly Services Singapore said the finance industry, which saw major retrenchments in recent months, has seen the 'most significant' change in its hiring strategies.
It said financial institutions have adopted a 'more cautious recruitment approach owing to the weaker Singapore economy and the global financial turmoil'.
- The Straits Times
The British-listed lender, which has a major presence in Singapore, aims to bolster the presence of its wealth management arm in fast-growing markets across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Although StanChart declined to elaborate further, a bank source said most of the new hires will probably be based in Asia, with the remaining going to Europe and the Middle East.
The global head of its private bank unit, Mr Peter Flavel, said yesterday that despite the challenging economic climate, the bank is in good shape, allowing it to grow and support the increasing needs of its clients.
'As we're seeing a continuing increase in client demand for our private banking services, we will continue to invest in attracting talent to further strengthen our proposition,' said Mr Flavel.
He added that the bank is looking for talented people who possess excellent track records and would be consistent in meeting the expectations of its high net worth clients.
'We are here to meet clients' needs. To achieve this, we need a certain type of relationship manager - someone with exceptional people and advisory skills, a strong team player, commitment to building long-term partnerships with clients.'
StanChart bucked the trend of the banking sector by reporting that profits for last year had soared 19 per cent to a record US$4.8 billion (S$7 billion).
About 100 relationship managers out of its private bank's worldwide total of 350 are based in Singapore, its global headquarters.
The bank's move to beef up its wealth management unit goes against the grain of employment forecasts for the banking and finance sector.
Last week, a report from the recruitment group Kelly Services Singapore said the finance industry, which saw major retrenchments in recent months, has seen the 'most significant' change in its hiring strategies.
It said financial institutions have adopted a 'more cautious recruitment approach owing to the weaker Singapore economy and the global financial turmoil'.
- The Straits Times
CIMB-GK to hire 35 grads under MAS plan
CIMB-GK Securities will hire about 35 fresh graduates under the new Finance Graduate Immersion Programme started by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Chief executive Carol Fong told The Straits Times yesterday: 'We believe we are the first brokerage under this scheme. It's a win-win situation. If not for the MAS scheme, I would think twice before hiring fresh graduates in such big numbers.'
The scheme involves the MAS subsidising the pay of new graduates hired by the financial sector, to spur employment during the downturn. The one-year programme has a budget of $15 million.
CIMB's decision to hire the graduates is part of its aim to double the size of its retail business by next year. It plans to add about 100 staff to its base of 300 remisiers and dealers by next year. The graduates will be channelled to equity sales, research and compliance positions.
- The Straits Times
Chief executive Carol Fong told The Straits Times yesterday: 'We believe we are the first brokerage under this scheme. It's a win-win situation. If not for the MAS scheme, I would think twice before hiring fresh graduates in such big numbers.'
The scheme involves the MAS subsidising the pay of new graduates hired by the financial sector, to spur employment during the downturn. The one-year programme has a budget of $15 million.
CIMB's decision to hire the graduates is part of its aim to double the size of its retail business by next year. It plans to add about 100 staff to its base of 300 remisiers and dealers by next year. The graduates will be channelled to equity sales, research and compliance positions.
- The Straits Times
Good news for finance, accounting job seekers
THINGS may start looking up by the end of the year for finance and accounting industry workers, according to a survey by Morgan McKinley.
Fifty-three per cent of employers in Singapore believe that financial and accountancy recruitment will start to increase before year-end, the survey found.
Conducted in March this year, it polled 120 senior human resources and hiring managers in financial services and other commercial organisations.
Although the outcome suggests a note of optimism, the managing director of Morgan McKinley Singapore, Jeremy Canning, said: 'Given business' current focus on cost-savings and efficiency, it is likely to be a steady rise over several months rather than an overnight surge in hiring activity.'
Despite lower hiring levels right now, there is still demand for professionals in niche markets, Mr Canning said.
'In Singapore at the moment, there is still some demand within the wealth management space, as well as in risk and technology from both financial institutions and industry,' he said.
If Singaporeans can hold on a little longer, the finance and accounting industry may bounce back up and spur demand for professionals in the field, according to those surveyed.
Almost nine out of 10 employers believe that there will be an increase in demand for financial services and accountancy professionals within the next 18 months.
The survey also provided some interesting insights into employer perceptions on salaries.
Despite the increased competition in the market for fewer jobs, basic salaries are likely to remain as they are.
Seventy-three per cent of employers polled expect basic salaries offered to new recruits to their business to remain the same in 2009.
This is because 81 per cent of these employers believe that it is just as difficult (47 per cent), if not more difficult (34 per cent), to find the right candidate for a job than it was a year ago.
The survey also found that employers are positive about their own staffing plans for the rest of this year.
Fifty-one per cent expect their firms' recruitment activity to remain at current levels while 29 per cent expect it to increase in 2009.
- The Business Times
Fifty-three per cent of employers in Singapore believe that financial and accountancy recruitment will start to increase before year-end, the survey found.
Conducted in March this year, it polled 120 senior human resources and hiring managers in financial services and other commercial organisations.
Although the outcome suggests a note of optimism, the managing director of Morgan McKinley Singapore, Jeremy Canning, said: 'Given business' current focus on cost-savings and efficiency, it is likely to be a steady rise over several months rather than an overnight surge in hiring activity.'
Despite lower hiring levels right now, there is still demand for professionals in niche markets, Mr Canning said.
'In Singapore at the moment, there is still some demand within the wealth management space, as well as in risk and technology from both financial institutions and industry,' he said.
If Singaporeans can hold on a little longer, the finance and accounting industry may bounce back up and spur demand for professionals in the field, according to those surveyed.
Almost nine out of 10 employers believe that there will be an increase in demand for financial services and accountancy professionals within the next 18 months.
The survey also provided some interesting insights into employer perceptions on salaries.
Despite the increased competition in the market for fewer jobs, basic salaries are likely to remain as they are.
Seventy-three per cent of employers polled expect basic salaries offered to new recruits to their business to remain the same in 2009.
This is because 81 per cent of these employers believe that it is just as difficult (47 per cent), if not more difficult (34 per cent), to find the right candidate for a job than it was a year ago.
The survey also found that employers are positive about their own staffing plans for the rest of this year.
Fifty-one per cent expect their firms' recruitment activity to remain at current levels while 29 per cent expect it to increase in 2009.
- The Business Times
May 12, 2009
MDA to add 10,000 jobs
SINGAPORE'S next generation of digital media whizzes are being grown with money from a $500 million fund that has gone into building digital classrooms, as well as promising commercial ventures by start-up companies and MNCs.
And now, funding will also go to research projects by companies in digital media, the Media Development Authority (MDA) said yesterday.
In the last two years, money from the Interactive Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO) has helped 120 start-ups, and provided seed money for 68 other companies.
Funds have also gone to 64 schools and educational institutions to help them enhance teaching through digital media.
Among them was a project by the National Institute of Education to develop a multi-player game on mobile phones that would facilitate learning.
Started in 2006, the IDMPO aims to fuel the growth of interactive digital media and its research and development (R&D). To be disbursed over five years, it has more than six funding schemes now.
MDA revealed where the money had gone at yesterday's Computer Games, Multimedia & Allied Technology (CGAT) conference but would not say how much had been given.
It hopes to fuel the growth of the media sector from $4.7 billion in 2005 to $10 billion by 2015, and add 10,000 jobs.
'Singapore has a chance to create the next breakthrough in media,' said Mr Michael Yap, deputy CEO and programme director of IDMPO, at the event.
Interactive digital media can encompass the areas of gaming, next generation Web and mobile technology, to name a few.
First Meta, a virtual credit card company in virtual worlds like Second Life, received funding in 2007 for R&D and manpower. Founder Aileen Sim said it saved her a lot of the heartache that most start-ups face.
'The money allowed us to do up prototypes and other costly research. It also opened doors to investors, who saw us as more credible,' said Ms Sim, who added that her company's monthly revenue has hit the mid six-figures now.
With funding from IDMPO, it is currently working on converting virtual game currency into money that can be used in real life.
Mr Yap also announced that firms can start applying for new, additional funding for its latest initiative, Future of Media.
The money is to encourage companies to innovate and conduct research on next-generation media applications in television, mobile phones, virtual worlds or three-dimensional Web, books and games. MDA will accept and fund 50 to 100 companies to work on each 'future' field.
It wants to work these future services and applications into its massive virtual city, Co-Space, first launched about a year ago as its answer to Second Life.
IDMPO is a testament to how funding can water growth.
Between September 2007 and September last year, applications from start-ups applying for seed money of up to $50,000 leapt threefold.
- The Straits Times
And now, funding will also go to research projects by companies in digital media, the Media Development Authority (MDA) said yesterday.
In the last two years, money from the Interactive Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO) has helped 120 start-ups, and provided seed money for 68 other companies.
Funds have also gone to 64 schools and educational institutions to help them enhance teaching through digital media.
Among them was a project by the National Institute of Education to develop a multi-player game on mobile phones that would facilitate learning.
Started in 2006, the IDMPO aims to fuel the growth of interactive digital media and its research and development (R&D). To be disbursed over five years, it has more than six funding schemes now.
MDA revealed where the money had gone at yesterday's Computer Games, Multimedia & Allied Technology (CGAT) conference but would not say how much had been given.
It hopes to fuel the growth of the media sector from $4.7 billion in 2005 to $10 billion by 2015, and add 10,000 jobs.
'Singapore has a chance to create the next breakthrough in media,' said Mr Michael Yap, deputy CEO and programme director of IDMPO, at the event.
Interactive digital media can encompass the areas of gaming, next generation Web and mobile technology, to name a few.
First Meta, a virtual credit card company in virtual worlds like Second Life, received funding in 2007 for R&D and manpower. Founder Aileen Sim said it saved her a lot of the heartache that most start-ups face.
'The money allowed us to do up prototypes and other costly research. It also opened doors to investors, who saw us as more credible,' said Ms Sim, who added that her company's monthly revenue has hit the mid six-figures now.
With funding from IDMPO, it is currently working on converting virtual game currency into money that can be used in real life.
Mr Yap also announced that firms can start applying for new, additional funding for its latest initiative, Future of Media.
The money is to encourage companies to innovate and conduct research on next-generation media applications in television, mobile phones, virtual worlds or three-dimensional Web, books and games. MDA will accept and fund 50 to 100 companies to work on each 'future' field.
It wants to work these future services and applications into its massive virtual city, Co-Space, first launched about a year ago as its answer to Second Life.
IDMPO is a testament to how funding can water growth.
Between September 2007 and September last year, applications from start-ups applying for seed money of up to $50,000 leapt threefold.
- The Straits Times
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