Two thirds of Singaporeans will hold white-collar PMET jobs by 2030, up from half the workforce currently, a new population White Paper has projected.
Growth rates of 3 to 5 per cent may be achieved in this decade, but is likely to be more modest at 2 to 3 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030, said the new study by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD).
To ensure there are enough good jobs to go around, Singapore needs to innovate and restructure its industries even as it improves on its productivity, said NPTD.
In its widely-anticipatedcitipated White Paper, which sets out Singapore's population and immigration policies for the future, the NPTD noted that the citizen workforce will age and plateau beyond 2020.
The paper recommends a calibrated inflow of foreign workers to complement the Singaporean workforce.
As citizen workforce growth slows, the total workforce growth is also projected to slow to 1 to 2 per cent - half the average of the past 30 years.
Given this workforce growth rate, and if Singapore achieves the stretch target of 2 to 3 per cent productivity growth per year in this decade, the country can get 3 to 5 per cent GDP growth on average up to 2020.
From 2020 to 2030, with workforce growth likely at 1 per cent and productivity growth rates at 1 to 2 per cent per year, Singapore will see more modest GDP growth of 2 to 3 per cent per year.
- The Straits Times
May 29, 2012
37% of employers in S'pore struggle to fill job positions
A manpower survey released today has revealed that 37 per cent of employers in Singapore struggle to fill job positions; compared to the global average of 34 per cent.
ManpowerGroup's seventh annual Talent Shortage Survey found that the jobs Singapore employers have most difficulty filling are production operators, accounting and finance staff and engineers.
For another consecutive year, engineers and sales representatives have stayed on the top ten chart as the most difficult roles to fill.
Common reasons cited by Singapore employers are the lack of available applicants (38 per cent) and lack of technical competencies (14 per cent).
When asked what strategies employers were pursuing to overcome their difficulties filling positions, the most common responses were to partner with educational institutions to align with talent needs, focus more on improving pipelines and providing additional training and development to existing staff to fill vacancies.
ManpowerGroup warned that if employers resign themselves to their inability to source for the skilled talent they need to grow their businesses, it will threaten to derail business plans for years to come.
"Alarmingly, employers are less concerned about the impact talent shortages are having on clients and investors, with 21 per cent of employers indicating that there is a high impact while 44 per cent indicate a medium impact on stakeholders," said Linda Teo, Country Manager of Manpower Singapore.
"Employers may not think leaving important positions unfilled is a problem now, but they will in years to come when it will be too late," she added.
She said access to talent is a key competitive differentiator and companies which succeed in this will be those that employ a comprehensive workforce strategy closely aligned with business strategy.
"A successful workforce strategy will identify and solve current talent acquisition challenges, anticipate future challenges and put in place solutions to address them effectively," she advised companies.
She dished out some tips for human resource personnel, such as to hire workers who are teachable, utilising strategic migration, employing flexible workers, engaging in hyperspecialisation, and recruiting within untapped pools of talent like women and youth.
Globally, employers having the most difficulty finding the right people to fill jobs are those in Japan, which topped the survey at 81 per cent.
Australia placed fourth, with 50 per cent of employers reporting talent shortages, followed by those in India and New Zealand, which tied in sixth place at 48 per cent.
Taiwan came close behind in the top 10, with 47 per cent reporting talent shortages.
- AsiaOne
ManpowerGroup's seventh annual Talent Shortage Survey found that the jobs Singapore employers have most difficulty filling are production operators, accounting and finance staff and engineers.
For another consecutive year, engineers and sales representatives have stayed on the top ten chart as the most difficult roles to fill.
Common reasons cited by Singapore employers are the lack of available applicants (38 per cent) and lack of technical competencies (14 per cent).
When asked what strategies employers were pursuing to overcome their difficulties filling positions, the most common responses were to partner with educational institutions to align with talent needs, focus more on improving pipelines and providing additional training and development to existing staff to fill vacancies.
ManpowerGroup warned that if employers resign themselves to their inability to source for the skilled talent they need to grow their businesses, it will threaten to derail business plans for years to come.
"Alarmingly, employers are less concerned about the impact talent shortages are having on clients and investors, with 21 per cent of employers indicating that there is a high impact while 44 per cent indicate a medium impact on stakeholders," said Linda Teo, Country Manager of Manpower Singapore.
"Employers may not think leaving important positions unfilled is a problem now, but they will in years to come when it will be too late," she added.
She said access to talent is a key competitive differentiator and companies which succeed in this will be those that employ a comprehensive workforce strategy closely aligned with business strategy.
"A successful workforce strategy will identify and solve current talent acquisition challenges, anticipate future challenges and put in place solutions to address them effectively," she advised companies.
She dished out some tips for human resource personnel, such as to hire workers who are teachable, utilising strategic migration, employing flexible workers, engaging in hyperspecialisation, and recruiting within untapped pools of talent like women and youth.
Globally, employers having the most difficulty finding the right people to fill jobs are those in Japan, which topped the survey at 81 per cent.
Australia placed fourth, with 50 per cent of employers reporting talent shortages, followed by those in India and New Zealand, which tied in sixth place at 48 per cent.
Taiwan came close behind in the top 10, with 47 per cent reporting talent shortages.
- AsiaOne
Apr 30, 2012
Unemployment in Singapore up slightly
Unemployment in Singapore rose slightly in the first quarter of this year, amid an increase in the number of layoffs in the earlier quarter which eased off into this year.
Employment creation remained fairly strong, although it moderated slightly in the first quarter of 2012. According to an "Employment Situation, First Quarter 2012" report released on Monday by the Ministry of Manpower, total employment is estimated to have grown by 27,400 in the first three months of this year.
This was lower than the 37,600 in the fourth quarter and the 28,300 in the first quarter of 2011. Most of the employment gains came from services, which added 19,800 workers.
Construction employment continued to register a strong increase of 8,000. Manufacturing employment declined by 500. It laid off fewer workers (800) in the first quarter this year, after its large cutback in the preceding quarter (1,660).
About 2,700 workers were made redundant in the first three months of this year, which is lower than the 3,250 workers affected in the last quarter of 2011, but close to the 2,750 laid off in the first quarter of 2011.
The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate increased slightly from 2 per cent in December 2011 to 2.1 per cent in March 2012.
Similarly, the unemployment rate rose over the same period for residents from 2.9 per cent to 3 per cent and citizens from 3 per cent to 3.2 per cent.
An estimated 59,100 residents, including 52,800 Singapore citizens were unemployed in March 2012. The seasonally adjusted figures were 64,000 for residents and 57,700 for citizens.
Those who wish to find out more can visit the Ministry of Manpower's website at www.mom.gov.sg/mrsd/publication.
More comprehensive labour market data will be released in the "Labour Market Report, First Quarter 2012" on 15 June 2012. - AsiaOne
Employment creation remained fairly strong, although it moderated slightly in the first quarter of 2012. According to an "Employment Situation, First Quarter 2012" report released on Monday by the Ministry of Manpower, total employment is estimated to have grown by 27,400 in the first three months of this year.
This was lower than the 37,600 in the fourth quarter and the 28,300 in the first quarter of 2011. Most of the employment gains came from services, which added 19,800 workers.
Construction employment continued to register a strong increase of 8,000. Manufacturing employment declined by 500. It laid off fewer workers (800) in the first quarter this year, after its large cutback in the preceding quarter (1,660).
About 2,700 workers were made redundant in the first three months of this year, which is lower than the 3,250 workers affected in the last quarter of 2011, but close to the 2,750 laid off in the first quarter of 2011.
The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate increased slightly from 2 per cent in December 2011 to 2.1 per cent in March 2012.
Similarly, the unemployment rate rose over the same period for residents from 2.9 per cent to 3 per cent and citizens from 3 per cent to 3.2 per cent.
An estimated 59,100 residents, including 52,800 Singapore citizens were unemployed in March 2012. The seasonally adjusted figures were 64,000 for residents and 57,700 for citizens.
Those who wish to find out more can visit the Ministry of Manpower's website at www.mom.gov.sg/mrsd/publication.
More comprehensive labour market data will be released in the "Labour Market Report, First Quarter 2012" on 15 June 2012. - AsiaOne
Apr 27, 2012
New job portal launched for professionals, managers, and executives
A new job portal was launched on Friday by Robert Walters and Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The PME (professionals, managers and executives) Jobs Network - which involves both the private and public sectors - was created to increase access to job opportunities, training and career paths.
Users can gauge their medium-term employment outlook using the portal, which draws information from MOM's Career Compass.
Career Compass collects information from various government agencies and highlights manpower demand in key industries. It also provides other relevant information such as employment conditions and wages.
The PME Jobs Network will also feature insights on the private sector. Robert Walters, a professional recruitment consultancy, will contribute insight on industry trends, salary levels and market updates.
These include the Asia Job Index, the annual Salary Index and Executive Insights which will be featured on the website.
Mr Lee Ark Boon, divisional director at MOM's Manpower Planning and Policy division, said: 'The PME Jobs Network provides Singaporeans with access to the latest PME jobs and information on training pathways. By bringing together the strengths of MOM and Robert Walters, we hope to give job seekers useful and timely industry and job-market intelligence as they grow their careers.'
He added: 'The accessibility to such information will further enhance the efficiency of our labour market.'
Ms Andrea Ross, Managing Director of Robert Walters' Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, said: 'We are very proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Manpower for the first time.
Robert Walters aims to provide our expertise as one of the leading professional recruitment consultancies to help busy professionals stay abreast of current job trends, as well as access our job board for potential job opportunities.'
- The Straits Times
The PME (professionals, managers and executives) Jobs Network - which involves both the private and public sectors - was created to increase access to job opportunities, training and career paths.
Users can gauge their medium-term employment outlook using the portal, which draws information from MOM's Career Compass.
Career Compass collects information from various government agencies and highlights manpower demand in key industries. It also provides other relevant information such as employment conditions and wages.
The PME Jobs Network will also feature insights on the private sector. Robert Walters, a professional recruitment consultancy, will contribute insight on industry trends, salary levels and market updates.
These include the Asia Job Index, the annual Salary Index and Executive Insights which will be featured on the website.
Mr Lee Ark Boon, divisional director at MOM's Manpower Planning and Policy division, said: 'The PME Jobs Network provides Singaporeans with access to the latest PME jobs and information on training pathways. By bringing together the strengths of MOM and Robert Walters, we hope to give job seekers useful and timely industry and job-market intelligence as they grow their careers.'
He added: 'The accessibility to such information will further enhance the efficiency of our labour market.'
Ms Andrea Ross, Managing Director of Robert Walters' Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, said: 'We are very proud to collaborate with the Ministry of Manpower for the first time.
Robert Walters aims to provide our expertise as one of the leading professional recruitment consultancies to help busy professionals stay abreast of current job trends, as well as access our job board for potential job opportunities.'
- The Straits Times
Dec 7, 2011
NTUC's masterplan: create better jobs for all
Creating better jobs and sustaining broad-based real wage increases for all workers - this will be the mission of the labour movement from now until 2015.
The labour movement's masterplan, LM 2015, was unveiled on Tuesday at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) National Delegates Conference.
In his report, NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say noted how Singapore's unemployment rates came down last year, even though the rates "stayed high" in the United States, the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
There has also been improvement in the real wage of workers here in the past decade, although the increase was not as high as in the '90s, he added.
Said Mr Lim, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office: "To have broad-based real wage increase, we need to have broad-based growth. I agree that we should never go for growth at all costs but we should also never forget the high costs of slow or no growth.
"We can never assume that we will always have enough jobs and real wage increase, as many Americans have found out the hard way and are still suffering from it."
Mr Lim noted that, at a time when unionisation is seen as a "sunset movement in many countries", union membership here has gone up by more than 30 per cent between 2007 and this year.
The labour movement currently has about 670,000 members. The target, Mr Lim said, is to reach one million members by 2015.
Mr Lim said: "Union leaders elsewhere often feel helpless when their workers are trapped in a hopeless situation. Not us here in Singapore. In good times or bad, we are always able to be helpful to our workers and our workers hopeful for a better future."
- TODAY newspaper
The labour movement's masterplan, LM 2015, was unveiled on Tuesday at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) National Delegates Conference.
In his report, NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say noted how Singapore's unemployment rates came down last year, even though the rates "stayed high" in the United States, the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
There has also been improvement in the real wage of workers here in the past decade, although the increase was not as high as in the '90s, he added.
Said Mr Lim, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office: "To have broad-based real wage increase, we need to have broad-based growth. I agree that we should never go for growth at all costs but we should also never forget the high costs of slow or no growth.
"We can never assume that we will always have enough jobs and real wage increase, as many Americans have found out the hard way and are still suffering from it."
Mr Lim noted that, at a time when unionisation is seen as a "sunset movement in many countries", union membership here has gone up by more than 30 per cent between 2007 and this year.
The labour movement currently has about 670,000 members. The target, Mr Lim said, is to reach one million members by 2015.
Mr Lim said: "Union leaders elsewhere often feel helpless when their workers are trapped in a hopeless situation. Not us here in Singapore. In good times or bad, we are always able to be helpful to our workers and our workers hopeful for a better future."
- TODAY newspaper
Skills upgrading programme for workers in water industry
To develop the capabilities of the water industry workforce, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), national water agency PUB, and the Singapore Water Association (SWA) have collaborated on a new training programme - the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Used Water Treatment Technician Programme - for the water industry.
This collaboration is part of efforts to align PUB's Water Management Certification Programme to the WSQ training system.
This is aimed at raising the water industry's competency standards whilst benchmarking it against international best practices.
The Water Management Certification Programme comprises a series of training programmes that focus on technical skills and capabilities to manage the various aspects of the water cycle.
Up to 200 operator and technical-level workers in the water industry are set to benefit from WSQ training for the water industry over the next two years.
To date, close to S$1 million has been set aside to enhance the manpower capabilities of the water industry.
- Channel News Asia
This collaboration is part of efforts to align PUB's Water Management Certification Programme to the WSQ training system.
This is aimed at raising the water industry's competency standards whilst benchmarking it against international best practices.
The Water Management Certification Programme comprises a series of training programmes that focus on technical skills and capabilities to manage the various aspects of the water cycle.
Up to 200 operator and technical-level workers in the water industry are set to benefit from WSQ training for the water industry over the next two years.
To date, close to S$1 million has been set aside to enhance the manpower capabilities of the water industry.
- Channel News Asia
Citigroup Singapore laid off about 40 staff recently
Citigroup Singapore has laid off about 40 employees in recent weeks, The Straits Times has learnt.
The job cuts, which included senior positions, have come as the American bank on Wednesday announced it would axe 4,500 jobs globally and set aside US$400 million (S$515 million) for severance and other related costs.
The cuts here are believed to have come selectively across its investment bank, markets team and private bank.
A Citi spokesman in Singapore confirmed on Wednesday that there have been layoffs.
- The Straits Times
The job cuts, which included senior positions, have come as the American bank on Wednesday announced it would axe 4,500 jobs globally and set aside US$400 million (S$515 million) for severance and other related costs.
The cuts here are believed to have come selectively across its investment bank, markets team and private bank.
A Citi spokesman in Singapore confirmed on Wednesday that there have been layoffs.
- The Straits Times
Nov 30, 2011
Job rate hits new high
Singapore's job market appeared rosy in 2011, with the employment rate hitting a new high of 78 per cent for the resident population aged 25 to 64.
This surpassed the previous high of 77.1 per cent in 2010.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said this reflected both the stable high in labour force participation rate and a lower unemployment rate.
The resident unemployment rate fell to a non-seasonally adjusted 3.9 per cent in June 2011, from 4.1 per cent in June 2010 and 5.9 per cent in June 2009.
The pool of economically-active residents increased over the year by 1.6 per cent in June 2011.
It is lower than the growth of 3.1 per cent in 2010 and the average of 2.6 per cent per annum from 2001 to 2011.
Another noteworthy trend is the "good progress" in the job rate for women and older residents.
For older residents, a record 61.2 per cent of residents aged 55 to 64 were working in 2011, up from 59 per cent a year ago.
The employment rate for males in this age group climbed from 75 per cent to 76.4 per cent while the rate for females rose from 43.4 per cent to 46.3 per cent.
The employment rate for women in the prime-working ages of 25 to 54 also rose to another high -- from 71.7 per cent in 2010 to 73 per cent in 2011.
Amid the tightened immigration framework, the number of permanent residents in the population fell by 1.7 per cent over the year in June 2011, after growing 1.5 per cent in 2010 and 11.5 per cent in 2009.
The resident labour force participation rate stabilised in 2011, after trending upwards gradually over time.
Growth in the resident labour force moderated in 2011, reflecting the absolute decline in number of permanent residents in the population.
There were 2.08 million residents in the labour force as at June 2011.
MOM said 66.1 per cent of the resident population aged 15 and over were either working or actively seeking work in 2011, similar to the record 66.2 per cent in 2010 and higher than 64.4 per cent in 2001.
Meanwhile, nominal incomes rose strongly in 2011, amid a tighter labour market.
The median monthly income from work (including employer CPF contributions) of full-time employed residents rose by 8.3 per cent over the year to S$3,249 in 2011.
It is higher than the growth of 2.5 per cent in 2010.
Taking headline inflation into account, the median income rose in real terms by 3.1 per cent in 2011, after a slight dip of 0.3 per cent in 2010.
- Channel News Asia
This surpassed the previous high of 77.1 per cent in 2010.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said this reflected both the stable high in labour force participation rate and a lower unemployment rate.
The resident unemployment rate fell to a non-seasonally adjusted 3.9 per cent in June 2011, from 4.1 per cent in June 2010 and 5.9 per cent in June 2009.
The pool of economically-active residents increased over the year by 1.6 per cent in June 2011.
It is lower than the growth of 3.1 per cent in 2010 and the average of 2.6 per cent per annum from 2001 to 2011.
Another noteworthy trend is the "good progress" in the job rate for women and older residents.
For older residents, a record 61.2 per cent of residents aged 55 to 64 were working in 2011, up from 59 per cent a year ago.
The employment rate for males in this age group climbed from 75 per cent to 76.4 per cent while the rate for females rose from 43.4 per cent to 46.3 per cent.
The employment rate for women in the prime-working ages of 25 to 54 also rose to another high -- from 71.7 per cent in 2010 to 73 per cent in 2011.
Amid the tightened immigration framework, the number of permanent residents in the population fell by 1.7 per cent over the year in June 2011, after growing 1.5 per cent in 2010 and 11.5 per cent in 2009.
The resident labour force participation rate stabilised in 2011, after trending upwards gradually over time.
Growth in the resident labour force moderated in 2011, reflecting the absolute decline in number of permanent residents in the population.
There were 2.08 million residents in the labour force as at June 2011.
MOM said 66.1 per cent of the resident population aged 15 and over were either working or actively seeking work in 2011, similar to the record 66.2 per cent in 2010 and higher than 64.4 per cent in 2001.
Meanwhile, nominal incomes rose strongly in 2011, amid a tighter labour market.
The median monthly income from work (including employer CPF contributions) of full-time employed residents rose by 8.3 per cent over the year to S$3,249 in 2011.
It is higher than the growth of 2.5 per cent in 2010.
Taking headline inflation into account, the median income rose in real terms by 3.1 per cent in 2011, after a slight dip of 0.3 per cent in 2010.
- Channel News Asia
Jul 29, 2011
Unemployment up to 2.1% in second quarter
SINGAPORE'S unemployment crept up to 2.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, from a three-year low of 1.9 per cent in the previous quarter.
The Manpower Ministry, in releasing preliminary estimates, said the rise came as a result of slower job creation.
The 22,800 jobs created between April and June represented a 19 per cent fall from the previous quarter and is a second consecutive quarter-on-quarter decline in employment growth.
The services sector alone accounted for the drop, with new jobs in that sector falling from 26,500 to 18,800. Job creation picked up speed in the other two sectors - manufacturing and construction.
The Ministry estimates that 81,300 Singapore residents were unemployed as of June this year, up from 54,300 in March.
The figure reflects "the increase in job seekers as tertiary graduates entered the labour market and students sought employment during the mid-year school vacation", it said.
- The Straits Times
The Manpower Ministry, in releasing preliminary estimates, said the rise came as a result of slower job creation.
The 22,800 jobs created between April and June represented a 19 per cent fall from the previous quarter and is a second consecutive quarter-on-quarter decline in employment growth.
The services sector alone accounted for the drop, with new jobs in that sector falling from 26,500 to 18,800. Job creation picked up speed in the other two sectors - manufacturing and construction.
The Ministry estimates that 81,300 Singapore residents were unemployed as of June this year, up from 54,300 in March.
The figure reflects "the increase in job seekers as tertiary graduates entered the labour market and students sought employment during the mid-year school vacation", it said.
- The Straits Times
Jun 27, 2011
Job seekers need to keep realistic salary expectations
Recruitment firm Hays said candidates need realistic salary expectations or risk pricing themselves out of the jobs market.
That is because employers are being more cautiously optimistic and will not pay over market-rate salaries to potential candidates, regardless of their specialised skills.
General Manager of Hays in Singapore, Chris Mead, said employers will continue to invest heavily in talent as companies in Asia embark on a new leg of expansion in emerging markets.
At the same time, they are unwilling to consider candidates that they feel are pushing a salary agenda.
He said it is important for candidates to keep their salary expectations in line with the market as employers will only increase rates so far.
Mr Mead said the outlook in Singapore is positive for candidates who want career opportunities within global, progressive organisations - provided they remain realistic in terms of compensation and benefits.
However, there is one area that is bucking the trend.
Candidates who are are looking for specific jobs and in skill short areas can more or less choose their salary and package.
This includes those with digital or e-commerce marketing and brand management expertise.
Another example is the accountancy & finance sector, where employers view candidates as crucial hires with high-level exposure.
Employers are therefore willing to pay competitive salaries in most cases, although the rare skills these roles demand can often make the recruiting timetable longer.
Overall, Mr Mead advised candidates to be open to new opportunities and review their options in the market.
- Channel New Asia
That is because employers are being more cautiously optimistic and will not pay over market-rate salaries to potential candidates, regardless of their specialised skills.
General Manager of Hays in Singapore, Chris Mead, said employers will continue to invest heavily in talent as companies in Asia embark on a new leg of expansion in emerging markets.
At the same time, they are unwilling to consider candidates that they feel are pushing a salary agenda.
He said it is important for candidates to keep their salary expectations in line with the market as employers will only increase rates so far.
Mr Mead said the outlook in Singapore is positive for candidates who want career opportunities within global, progressive organisations - provided they remain realistic in terms of compensation and benefits.
However, there is one area that is bucking the trend.
Candidates who are are looking for specific jobs and in skill short areas can more or less choose their salary and package.
This includes those with digital or e-commerce marketing and brand management expertise.
Another example is the accountancy & finance sector, where employers view candidates as crucial hires with high-level exposure.
Employers are therefore willing to pay competitive salaries in most cases, although the rare skills these roles demand can often make the recruiting timetable longer.
Overall, Mr Mead advised candidates to be open to new opportunities and review their options in the market.
- Channel New Asia
Jun 24, 2011
10,000 to get skills upgrading by WDA
Some 10,000 port industry employees will stand to benefit from training and skills upgrading under the first Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) collaboration among industry players.
This was made possible by an agreement signed on Friday by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), PSA Corporation and Jurong Port.
The WDA said the framework will provide nationally-recognised and structured training and certification for port employees.
It will start with mobile equipment operators and lashing specialists whose job includes securing containers on vessels using lashing equipment.
Previously, industry employees took stand-alone courses accredited by parties such as the Ministry of Manpower and Institute of Technical Education.
Wong Hong Kuan, the Chief Executive of WDA said: "If they upgrade themselves and take on greater job responsibilities as their skill sets allow them to, and with the WSQ Framework, they can look at much better pay prospects and growth prospects as well."
The WDA said the industry has good job prospects and expects to create another 5,000 jobs in the next three years.
The agency has already committed some S$8 million to train about 10,000 workers over the next three years.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say commented:"Education background is just the starting point in our lives but it should not be the factor to determine our ending point in our lives.
Because along the way, we'll pick up new skills, new competencies, and develop a new attitude. So the WSQ system is skill-based, competency based."
- Channel News Asia
This was made possible by an agreement signed on Friday by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), PSA Corporation and Jurong Port.
The WDA said the framework will provide nationally-recognised and structured training and certification for port employees.
It will start with mobile equipment operators and lashing specialists whose job includes securing containers on vessels using lashing equipment.
Previously, industry employees took stand-alone courses accredited by parties such as the Ministry of Manpower and Institute of Technical Education.
Wong Hong Kuan, the Chief Executive of WDA said: "If they upgrade themselves and take on greater job responsibilities as their skill sets allow them to, and with the WSQ Framework, they can look at much better pay prospects and growth prospects as well."
The WDA said the industry has good job prospects and expects to create another 5,000 jobs in the next three years.
The agency has already committed some S$8 million to train about 10,000 workers over the next three years.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say commented:"Education background is just the starting point in our lives but it should not be the factor to determine our ending point in our lives.
Because along the way, we'll pick up new skills, new competencies, and develop a new attitude. So the WSQ system is skill-based, competency based."
- Channel News Asia
Jun 2, 2011
More professionals here likely to job-hop in next three months
More professionals in Singapore will be likely to job-hop in the next three months compared to their counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a survey by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.
The survey - which polled more than 2,800 workers - showed that 61 per cent of Singaporeans are looking to change jobs in the period ahead, compared to 57 per cent of professionals in Hong Kong, 56 per cent in Malaysia and 52 per cent in Thailand.
The figures indicate that professionals are optimistic about the job market, said Ms Andrea Ross, managing director at Robert Walters Singapore & Malaysia. However, the challenge will be ensuring that appropriate roles are available, she added.
And with so many professional looking to move, employers will likely face an increase in staff turnover and greater pressure to retain their top talent.
The poll also revealed that among the respondents from Singapore, 24 per cent are hoping to move jobs in the next 3 to 6 months, 7 per cent of respondents are hoping to move in the next 6 to 12 months, and 8 per cent are looking to move in 12 to 18 months.
- TODAY newspaper
The survey - which polled more than 2,800 workers - showed that 61 per cent of Singaporeans are looking to change jobs in the period ahead, compared to 57 per cent of professionals in Hong Kong, 56 per cent in Malaysia and 52 per cent in Thailand.
The figures indicate that professionals are optimistic about the job market, said Ms Andrea Ross, managing director at Robert Walters Singapore & Malaysia. However, the challenge will be ensuring that appropriate roles are available, she added.
And with so many professional looking to move, employers will likely face an increase in staff turnover and greater pressure to retain their top talent.
The poll also revealed that among the respondents from Singapore, 24 per cent are hoping to move jobs in the next 3 to 6 months, 7 per cent of respondents are hoping to move in the next 6 to 12 months, and 8 per cent are looking to move in 12 to 18 months.
- TODAY newspaper
Apr 26, 2011
Fewer layoffs, but manufacturing still vulnerable
FAR fewer workers lost their jobs last year as the economy recovered, but Singapore's manufacturing sector workers remain vulnerable to layoffs, according to a Manpower Ministry report yesterday.
It showed that 9,800 workers were laid off last year, a significant drop from the 23,430 who lost their jobs in the recession year of 2009.
The rate of layoffs - at 5.7 workers for every 1,000 employees - was also the lowest since the ministry's Redundancy and Re-employment data series began in 1998.
In fact, the manufacturing sector, which was hard hit by the 2009 recession, recorded the largest drop in the number of workers laid off. This came mostly from the electronics, machinery and transport equipment sectors.
Yet, manufacturing workers are still more likely to be retrenched or have their contracts terminated early, the report said.
Last year, 12 workers were laid off for every 1,000 employed in manufacturing. This compares with 3.5 for services and 5.4 for construction.
- The Straits Times
It showed that 9,800 workers were laid off last year, a significant drop from the 23,430 who lost their jobs in the recession year of 2009.
The rate of layoffs - at 5.7 workers for every 1,000 employees - was also the lowest since the ministry's Redundancy and Re-employment data series began in 1998.
In fact, the manufacturing sector, which was hard hit by the 2009 recession, recorded the largest drop in the number of workers laid off. This came mostly from the electronics, machinery and transport equipment sectors.
Yet, manufacturing workers are still more likely to be retrenched or have their contracts terminated early, the report said.
Last year, 12 workers were laid off for every 1,000 employed in manufacturing. This compares with 3.5 for services and 5.4 for construction.
- The Straits Times
Mar 21, 2011
Class of 2010: More jobs, better starting pay for grads
WITH the economic recovery, the Class of 2010 from the three local universities is reporting higher employment rates and better starting salaries compared to graduates from the year before.
In particular, graduates from the Singapore Management University (SMU) last year had a record employment rate of 99.9 per cent and higher starting salaries across five of the university's degree programmes, surpassing the performance of graduates in 2009, when 96.8 per cent found employment.
At the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), about 90 per cent found jobs within six months.
These were among the findings of the Graduate Employment Survey just released by the Education Ministry.
The average monthly salary among SMU graduates in full-time jobs was $3,271, an improvement of 5.8 per cent over 2009's figure of $3,093 - it is also the highest for SMU graduates since its first cohort graduated in 2004.
In addition, the top 20 per cent of its graduates, usually those working in financial institutions, took home an average salary of $5,062. There were some among the 125 top-earners who were paid up to $13,000 a month.
- The Straits Times
In particular, graduates from the Singapore Management University (SMU) last year had a record employment rate of 99.9 per cent and higher starting salaries across five of the university's degree programmes, surpassing the performance of graduates in 2009, when 96.8 per cent found employment.
At the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), about 90 per cent found jobs within six months.
These were among the findings of the Graduate Employment Survey just released by the Education Ministry.
The average monthly salary among SMU graduates in full-time jobs was $3,271, an improvement of 5.8 per cent over 2009's figure of $3,093 - it is also the highest for SMU graduates since its first cohort graduated in 2004.
In addition, the top 20 per cent of its graduates, usually those working in financial institutions, took home an average salary of $5,062. There were some among the 125 top-earners who were paid up to $13,000 a month.
- The Straits Times
More found jobs; higher salaries
WITH the economic recovery, the Class of 2010 from the three local universities are reporting higher employment rates and better starting salaries compared to graduates from the year before.
In particular, graduates from the Singapore Management University(SMU) last year had a record employment rate of 99.9 per cent and higher starting salaries across five of the university's degree programmes, surpassing the performance of graduates in 2009, when 96.8 per cent found employment.
At the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, about 90 per cent found jobs within six months.
These were among the findings of the Graduate Employment Survey just released by the Education Ministry.
The average monthly salary among SMU graduates in full-time jobs was $3,271, an improvement of 5.8 per cent over 2009's figure of $3,093 - it is also the highest for SMU graduates since its first cohort graduated in 2004.
In addition, the top 20 per cent of its graduates, usually those working in financial institutions, brought home an average salary of $5,062. There were some among the 125 top-earners who were paid up to $13,000 a month.
- The Straits Times
In particular, graduates from the Singapore Management University(SMU) last year had a record employment rate of 99.9 per cent and higher starting salaries across five of the university's degree programmes, surpassing the performance of graduates in 2009, when 96.8 per cent found employment.
At the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, about 90 per cent found jobs within six months.
These were among the findings of the Graduate Employment Survey just released by the Education Ministry.
The average monthly salary among SMU graduates in full-time jobs was $3,271, an improvement of 5.8 per cent over 2009's figure of $3,093 - it is also the highest for SMU graduates since its first cohort graduated in 2004.
In addition, the top 20 per cent of its graduates, usually those working in financial institutions, brought home an average salary of $5,062. There were some among the 125 top-earners who were paid up to $13,000 a month.
- The Straits Times
Mar 15, 2011
More than 115,000 jobs created last year
There were a total of 115,900 jobs created in Singapore for the whole of last year. This was a slight adjustment to an earlier estimate of 112,500.
The Manpower Ministry said the total employment growth far exceeded the 37,600 jobs in 2009.
In its labour market report for 2010, MOM highlighted that the labour market recovered strongly last year from the 2009 recession, bolstered by the robust economic performance.
Recruitment companies also said that job-seekers are also finding work in shorter periods of time.
Foong Wei Liang, Talent Attraction Manager at Adecco, said: "Due to the fact that employers are going to need to hire quickly when they have determined that a candidate is right for their organisation, experienced and qualified job seekers know that they may have several job offers to choose from.
"Any procrastination from hiring managers could see lost recruitment opportunities and that's not something that any organisation wants to endure when the labour market is so tight."
The services sector contributed the bulk of employment gains of 111,000 in 2010, almost double that the previous year.
Construction employment grew by 2,500 down substantially from the gains of 25,100 in 2009.
This was mainly due to the completion of several large building projects and fewer new projects coming on stream.
Manufacturing employment declined by 1,100. However, this was much lower than the losses of 43,700 in 2009.
Last year, local employment grew by 56,200 while the number of foreigners, excluding foreign domestic workers, employed increased by 54,400.
As at December 2010, there were 1,992,700 locals in employment, forming around two in three of the 3,105,900 persons employed in Singapore. The remaining 1,113,200 were foreigners.
Overall unemployment rate was 2.2 per cent last year, down significantly from 3 per cent in 2009.
Fewer workers were laid off for the whole of 2010, despite an increase in the last quarter.
Redundancies for the whole year totalled 9,800 down from 23,430 in 2009. This was the second lowest redundancy level, since the start of the data series in 1998.
With the strong economy, job vacancies rose by 23 per cent in December last year, after dipping slightly in September.
With the tighter labour market, workers' earnings have risen.
Nominal earnings grew by 7.5 per cent over the year in the fourth quarter of 2010. Weighed down by higher inflation, real earnings rose by 3.4 per cent.
Labour productivity has also increased, driven by the strong output growth. It grew over the year by 7.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, higher than the 6.2 per cent increase in the previous quarter.
- Channel News Asia
The Manpower Ministry said the total employment growth far exceeded the 37,600 jobs in 2009.
In its labour market report for 2010, MOM highlighted that the labour market recovered strongly last year from the 2009 recession, bolstered by the robust economic performance.
Recruitment companies also said that job-seekers are also finding work in shorter periods of time.
Foong Wei Liang, Talent Attraction Manager at Adecco, said: "Due to the fact that employers are going to need to hire quickly when they have determined that a candidate is right for their organisation, experienced and qualified job seekers know that they may have several job offers to choose from.
"Any procrastination from hiring managers could see lost recruitment opportunities and that's not something that any organisation wants to endure when the labour market is so tight."
The services sector contributed the bulk of employment gains of 111,000 in 2010, almost double that the previous year.
Construction employment grew by 2,500 down substantially from the gains of 25,100 in 2009.
This was mainly due to the completion of several large building projects and fewer new projects coming on stream.
Manufacturing employment declined by 1,100. However, this was much lower than the losses of 43,700 in 2009.
Last year, local employment grew by 56,200 while the number of foreigners, excluding foreign domestic workers, employed increased by 54,400.
As at December 2010, there were 1,992,700 locals in employment, forming around two in three of the 3,105,900 persons employed in Singapore. The remaining 1,113,200 were foreigners.
Overall unemployment rate was 2.2 per cent last year, down significantly from 3 per cent in 2009.
Fewer workers were laid off for the whole of 2010, despite an increase in the last quarter.
Redundancies for the whole year totalled 9,800 down from 23,430 in 2009. This was the second lowest redundancy level, since the start of the data series in 1998.
With the strong economy, job vacancies rose by 23 per cent in December last year, after dipping slightly in September.
With the tighter labour market, workers' earnings have risen.
Nominal earnings grew by 7.5 per cent over the year in the fourth quarter of 2010. Weighed down by higher inflation, real earnings rose by 3.4 per cent.
Labour productivity has also increased, driven by the strong output growth. It grew over the year by 7.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, higher than the 6.2 per cent increase in the previous quarter.
- Channel News Asia
Mar 4, 2011
30,000 jobs up for grabs at Career 2011
AT CAREER 2011, 30,000 jobs are on offer - the highest number offered by the annual job fair since 2001.
The four-day event opened on Thursday at Suntec Singapore's convention halls 601 to 603, to a steady stream of Singaporeans and foreigners looking for work or places at educational institutions.
Among this year's 250 exhibitors are firms from the aerospace industry and employment agencies such as CATS Recruit and JobStreet.
Around 30,000 places on educational courses are also available with private schools from more than 10 countries.
But the two integrated resorts were among the most aggressive employers. Their booths - next to each other at the exhibition entrance - were constantly abuzz on Thursday.
Resorts World Sentosa, gearing up for the launch of its maritime museum and oceanarium, as well as two hotels, is looking to fill some 1,000 positions.
- The Straits Times
The four-day event opened on Thursday at Suntec Singapore's convention halls 601 to 603, to a steady stream of Singaporeans and foreigners looking for work or places at educational institutions.
Among this year's 250 exhibitors are firms from the aerospace industry and employment agencies such as CATS Recruit and JobStreet.
Around 30,000 places on educational courses are also available with private schools from more than 10 countries.
But the two integrated resorts were among the most aggressive employers. Their booths - next to each other at the exhibition entrance - were constantly abuzz on Thursday.
Resorts World Sentosa, gearing up for the launch of its maritime museum and oceanarium, as well as two hotels, is looking to fill some 1,000 positions.
- The Straits Times
Feb 26, 2011
Bumper year for NTU job fair
A RECORD 175 companies have taken part in the annual career fair at Nanyang Technological University, as the strong economy encourages employers to hire.
Last year, 109 took part in the two-day event, which is held on NTU's campus in Boon Lay. By contrast, this year's fair - which was held on Tuesday and on Friday - was the largest organised by a university here.
About 4,500 jobs were up for grabs from a range of industries in both the private and public sectors. Last year, there were 2,600.
Employers taking part this year included government agencies such as the Ministry of Defence and the Housing Board, and companies such as retailer Charles and Keith, and property and real estate firm CapitaLand.
NTU said the three private sector industries most represented were building and construction; banking, finance and insurance; and engineering and manufacturing. Nearly 20,000 NTU students visited the fair over the two days.
NTU's director of career and attachment office, Mr Loh Pui Wah, said: 'The strong participation rate by employers is a reflection of the good economy and a sign the hiring sentiment's back.'
- The Straits Times
Last year, 109 took part in the two-day event, which is held on NTU's campus in Boon Lay. By contrast, this year's fair - which was held on Tuesday and on Friday - was the largest organised by a university here.
About 4,500 jobs were up for grabs from a range of industries in both the private and public sectors. Last year, there were 2,600.
Employers taking part this year included government agencies such as the Ministry of Defence and the Housing Board, and companies such as retailer Charles and Keith, and property and real estate firm CapitaLand.
NTU said the three private sector industries most represented were building and construction; banking, finance and insurance; and engineering and manufacturing. Nearly 20,000 NTU students visited the fair over the two days.
NTU's director of career and attachment office, Mr Loh Pui Wah, said: 'The strong participation rate by employers is a reflection of the good economy and a sign the hiring sentiment's back.'
- The Straits Times
Feb 22, 2011
NTU launches virtual job fair
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.
- Channel News Asia
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.
- Channel News Asia
Feb 18, 2011
Fewer job ads in fourth quarter
THE number of job advertisements fell 9 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year as staff movements declined during the festive season.
There were 236,191 advertisements for professional positions in the three months to Dec 31, down from 259,665 in the third quarter, according to data released on Thursday by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.
Robert Walters Singapore managing director Andrea Ross said a general reluctance to change jobs ahead of bonuses in the new year contributed to a decline in ads across most sectors.
The firm also said the fall was due in part to the demand for senior high-profile roles that are not usually advertised.
Ads for jobs in engineering, including surveyors, architects and technicians, remained steady with 34,577 placed in the quarter.
The human resources sector also stayed fairly steady with 12,955 ads posted, down a touch from the third quarter.
- The Straits Times
There were 236,191 advertisements for professional positions in the three months to Dec 31, down from 259,665 in the third quarter, according to data released on Thursday by recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.
Robert Walters Singapore managing director Andrea Ross said a general reluctance to change jobs ahead of bonuses in the new year contributed to a decline in ads across most sectors.
The firm also said the fall was due in part to the demand for senior high-profile roles that are not usually advertised.
Ads for jobs in engineering, including surveyors, architects and technicians, remained steady with 34,577 placed in the quarter.
The human resources sector also stayed fairly steady with 12,955 ads posted, down a touch from the third quarter.
- The Straits Times
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