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
Showing posts with label job fairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job fairs. Show all posts
Mar 4, 2011
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
Jan 27, 2011
NUS Career Fair: Record number of employers
GRADUATING students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) will have their pick of jobs at the university's annual career fair, with a record number of participating employers offering significantly more opportunities than in 2010.
The NUS Career Fair, which started on Thursday and ends on Friday, has attracted 145 employers. On offer in 2011, are 4,200 full-time jobs.
In 2010, the 120 employers who attended the event offered 3,500 full-time jobs.
The university has also tied up with Singapore Human Resources Institute (Shri), a professional body, to give students and alumni a better chance to land jobs.
The tie-up provides them access to internships and jobs with Shri's 3,000 members, a majority of whom are HR professionals and key decision-makers in their organisations.
Announcing the tie-up, NUS deputy president of academic affairs and provost Professor Tan Eng Chye said the partnership will also allow students to take part in Shri's inter-personal skills programmes.
- The Straits Times
The NUS Career Fair, which started on Thursday and ends on Friday, has attracted 145 employers. On offer in 2011, are 4,200 full-time jobs.
In 2010, the 120 employers who attended the event offered 3,500 full-time jobs.
The university has also tied up with Singapore Human Resources Institute (Shri), a professional body, to give students and alumni a better chance to land jobs.
The tie-up provides them access to internships and jobs with Shri's 3,000 members, a majority of whom are HR professionals and key decision-makers in their organisations.
Announcing the tie-up, NUS deputy president of academic affairs and provost Professor Tan Eng Chye said the partnership will also allow students to take part in Shri's inter-personal skills programmes.
- The Straits Times
Apr 6, 2010
Job fair draws 700 seniors
BEING a senior citizen does not mean losing the zest to work. More than 700 job seekers aged over 50 proved this as they gathered at Bishan Community Club for a job fair held by the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC).
More than 1,300 jobs, which included positions in the food and beverage, retail, cleaning, hospitality and security industries, were put up by 25 participating companies looking to entice senior job seekers.
Mr Ong Kong Eauw, 59, for instance, was looking to work as a store assistant. Having worked before as a store supervisor until six years ago when his company closed down its warehouse, Mr Ong decided to search for a similar job as he felt more comfortable in this line of work.
'Previously I was drawing about $2,000, but now I'm willing to settle for less. My two children are both working; I'm just looking for a job to keep myself active,' he added.
Information on skills upgrading courses was also provided at a fair booth. These CDAC-subsidised courses, which aim to help seniors who want to acquire skills such as word processing or to brush up on conversational English, attracted scores of applicants.
This is not the first such job fair by the CDAC. Jobs For Seniors was first held last November at Sengkang Comunity Club, drawing more than 500 applicants then.
- The Straits Times
More than 1,300 jobs, which included positions in the food and beverage, retail, cleaning, hospitality and security industries, were put up by 25 participating companies looking to entice senior job seekers.
Mr Ong Kong Eauw, 59, for instance, was looking to work as a store assistant. Having worked before as a store supervisor until six years ago when his company closed down its warehouse, Mr Ong decided to search for a similar job as he felt more comfortable in this line of work.
'Previously I was drawing about $2,000, but now I'm willing to settle for less. My two children are both working; I'm just looking for a job to keep myself active,' he added.
Information on skills upgrading courses was also provided at a fair booth. These CDAC-subsidised courses, which aim to help seniors who want to acquire skills such as word processing or to brush up on conversational English, attracted scores of applicants.
This is not the first such job fair by the CDAC. Jobs For Seniors was first held last November at Sengkang Comunity Club, drawing more than 500 applicants then.
- The Straits Times
Mar 27, 2010
Strong turnout on first day of JobsDB career fair
More than 20,000 job seekers turned up on the first day of the JobsDB career fair at Suntec Convention Centre on Friday.
About 500 companies are recruiting - double the number of last year.
The newly-opened Resorts World Sentosa has more than 2,000 job vacancies available.
The job seekers include fresh graduates from the universities and polytechnics, as well as those looking for better prospects.
Steven Seek, managing director, JobsDB Singapore, said: "Now that the economy is getting better, they would like to see what other better opportunities (are there)...And of course, there is another group of people who would like to switch from another industry to more emerging industries like the service sector."
- Channel News Asia
About 500 companies are recruiting - double the number of last year.
The newly-opened Resorts World Sentosa has more than 2,000 job vacancies available.
The job seekers include fresh graduates from the universities and polytechnics, as well as those looking for better prospects.
Steven Seek, managing director, JobsDB Singapore, said: "Now that the economy is getting better, they would like to see what other better opportunities (are there)...And of course, there is another group of people who would like to switch from another industry to more emerging industries like the service sector."
- Channel News Asia
Mar 21, 2010
Big turnout at job fair
FROM as early as 8am, dozens of job seekers queued up to register at Sengkang Community Club for a Healthcare Career Fair yesterday - two hours before the event even started.
By noon, the place was packed with hundreds of people, mostly Singaporeans wanting to learn more about the jobs on offer and whether they were eligible to apply.
A total of 1,103 job seekers registered for the fair eventually.
The huge turnout, and the kind of people who turned up, showed a willingness in Singaporeans to try out for different jobs and undergo training for specialised occupations in the health-care sector.
Among those looking for a fresh start in the industry is Mr Sivakumar Munusamy, 38, who comes from a retail background and is currently a part-time sales assistant.
Mr Munusamy, who is keen on a job as an operating theatre assistant or health-care attendant, says he is open to switching industries as long as on-the-job training is provided.
- The Straits Times
By noon, the place was packed with hundreds of people, mostly Singaporeans wanting to learn more about the jobs on offer and whether they were eligible to apply.
A total of 1,103 job seekers registered for the fair eventually.
The huge turnout, and the kind of people who turned up, showed a willingness in Singaporeans to try out for different jobs and undergo training for specialised occupations in the health-care sector.
Among those looking for a fresh start in the industry is Mr Sivakumar Munusamy, 38, who comes from a retail background and is currently a part-time sales assistant.
Mr Munusamy, who is keen on a job as an operating theatre assistant or health-care attendant, says he is open to switching industries as long as on-the-job training is provided.
- The Straits Times
Mar 4, 2010
Fair offers over 5,500 jobs
JOB seekers swarmed the Resorts World Sentosa's (RWS) booth at Singapore's largest career and education fair on Thursday, all wanting one of 2,000 remaining jobs up for grabs.
Career and Training 2010: Education 2010 was officially opened on Thursday by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources, and will run till Sunday.
Exhibitors include universities, polytechnics, training providers and private and public sector companies. They are jointly offering more than 5,500 jobs and 35,000 places in academic courses.
Two-thirds of the jobs on offer at RWS are for the casino and the adjoining Universal Studios theme park, while the others are in areas such as food and beverage, facilities management, security and transport.
Also at the exhibition is the Marina Bay Sands resort, which has 500 jobs on offer. A spokesman said this would be the last hiring burst before the resort opens on April 27, but did not have the number of applicants so far.
Mr Radie Joseph Jose, 24, was at both booths on Thursday. He is hoping to move into the hotel management field from his current job in customer service.
- The Straits Times
Career and Training 2010: Education 2010 was officially opened on Thursday by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources, and will run till Sunday.
Exhibitors include universities, polytechnics, training providers and private and public sector companies. They are jointly offering more than 5,500 jobs and 35,000 places in academic courses.
Two-thirds of the jobs on offer at RWS are for the casino and the adjoining Universal Studios theme park, while the others are in areas such as food and beverage, facilities management, security and transport.
Also at the exhibition is the Marina Bay Sands resort, which has 500 jobs on offer. A spokesman said this would be the last hiring burst before the resort opens on April 27, but did not have the number of applicants so far.
Mr Radie Joseph Jose, 24, was at both booths on Thursday. He is hoping to move into the hotel management field from his current job in customer service.
- The Straits Times
Feb 2, 2010
500 jobs for grabs at fair
MORE than 500 job vacancies are up for grabs at the Community Connect Career Fair organised by the North-east CDC.
It is held at the Paya Lebar Kovan CC on Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.
The ten employers participating in the career fair include firms from the food and beverage, retail, security, manufacturing and logistics industries.
The career fair is an outreach effort by the North-east CDC to bring employment services to jobseekers.
- The Straits Times
It is held at the Paya Lebar Kovan CC on Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.
The ten employers participating in the career fair include firms from the food and beverage, retail, security, manufacturing and logistics industries.
The career fair is an outreach effort by the North-east CDC to bring employment services to jobseekers.
- The Straits Times
Aug 10, 2009
1,500 at church job fair
INSTEAD of their usual call to be more spiritual, a cluster of churches in the east on Monday preached a very secular message of hope.
There were more than 800 jobs on offer at the Hope - or Helping our People - job carnival held at the Pentecost Methodist Church in Pasir Ris.
It attracted about 1,500 people of various races and religions.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was guest of honour at the event, applauded the organisers for their support of the community in the current economic downturn.
'Religion can sometimes lead to a certain exclusiveness, but the approach taken by the church members today, and other religious organisations, to reach out to the wider community and to extend help to all is a very positive one,' he said.
Mr Teo's comments mirrored those made by several ministers over the last few weeks during Racial Harmony Day and National Day events.
All called for the various religions here to come together and to prevent any tension from arising between groups.
Said MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Dr Ahmad Magad, who was also at the job fair: 'We should not draw barriers or walls amongst us...We should all look upon each other as Singaporeans, as one large family.'
Mr Teo said the job fair could not have been a more apt example, as it offers another helping hand in the community.
- The Straits Times
There were more than 800 jobs on offer at the Hope - or Helping our People - job carnival held at the Pentecost Methodist Church in Pasir Ris.
It attracted about 1,500 people of various races and religions.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was guest of honour at the event, applauded the organisers for their support of the community in the current economic downturn.
'Religion can sometimes lead to a certain exclusiveness, but the approach taken by the church members today, and other religious organisations, to reach out to the wider community and to extend help to all is a very positive one,' he said.
Mr Teo's comments mirrored those made by several ministers over the last few weeks during Racial Harmony Day and National Day events.
All called for the various religions here to come together and to prevent any tension from arising between groups.
Said MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Dr Ahmad Magad, who was also at the job fair: 'We should not draw barriers or walls amongst us...We should all look upon each other as Singaporeans, as one large family.'
Mr Teo said the job fair could not have been a more apt example, as it offers another helping hand in the community.
- The Straits Times
Apr 6, 2009
Job fair draws 800 grads
FRESH graduate Wang Wei Xiang will jump at a job that pays $2,000 a month, even though it is $500 less than the average starting pay.
The 26-year-old, who has a degree in business management from Singapore Management University, is even willing to be an intern for $700 a month.
His overriding concern is that the job gives him experience in human resource and organisational development.
Mr Wang's flexible stance on pay is typical among the 800 new graduates who attended a job fair on Monday.
Altogether, 28 organisations offered more than 6,000 jobs at the fair organised by Young NTUC, the youth arm of the National Trades Union Congress.
They included the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, integrated resorts Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa, as well as pre-school operator NTUC First Campus.
About 12,000 are expected to graduate from the local universities this year, said NTUC assistant secretary-general Josephine Teo on Monday. But at least 1,000 of them may find themselves jobless even after six months, should their employment rate hit the 87 per cent level of the 2003 Sars period, said an NTUC statement yesterday.
Mrs Teo, who is adviser to Young NTUC, highlighted to the graduates at the fair the large number of jobs on offer, saying it shows there are still many opportunities despite the downturn.
Young NTUC plans to hold three networking sessions on specific industries to help the new graduates find jobs.
It also started an online employment advisory service for undergraduates and new graduates on Monday, at www.youngntuc.org.sg.
- The Straits Times
The 26-year-old, who has a degree in business management from Singapore Management University, is even willing to be an intern for $700 a month.
His overriding concern is that the job gives him experience in human resource and organisational development.
Mr Wang's flexible stance on pay is typical among the 800 new graduates who attended a job fair on Monday.
Altogether, 28 organisations offered more than 6,000 jobs at the fair organised by Young NTUC, the youth arm of the National Trades Union Congress.
They included the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, integrated resorts Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa, as well as pre-school operator NTUC First Campus.
About 12,000 are expected to graduate from the local universities this year, said NTUC assistant secretary-general Josephine Teo on Monday. But at least 1,000 of them may find themselves jobless even after six months, should their employment rate hit the 87 per cent level of the 2003 Sars period, said an NTUC statement yesterday.
Mrs Teo, who is adviser to Young NTUC, highlighted to the graduates at the fair the large number of jobs on offer, saying it shows there are still many opportunities despite the downturn.
Young NTUC plans to hold three networking sessions on specific industries to help the new graduates find jobs.
It also started an online employment advisory service for undergraduates and new graduates on Monday, at www.youngntuc.org.sg.
- The Straits Times
Mar 26, 2009
Logistics man connects people to jobs
NEED a contact? A connection, a way to plug into a network that might mean a new job, a lucrative contact or a chance to dig yourself out of the recessionary mire? Then Mr Paul Lim is your man.
Mr Lim - his day job is regional business development manager for global distribution giant TNT - is the key man for many professionals seeking greener pastures in the logistics field.
And it all began as a lark when he knocked up an informal website about three years ago that has become the must-see forum for those in the huge industry.
It has spawned hugely popular spin-offs like a free career fair being held on Saturday at Republic Polytechnic. Mr Lim, 45, has assembled logistics heavy-hitters who will be discussing industry trends and answering questions on career opportunities for the hundreds of people expected to attend.
At least eight companies are recruiting staff for a wide variety of positions, and representatives from at least 40 other firms will be keeping a look out for talent.
'The supply chain and logistics industries offer lots of interesting career opportunities. Nothing in the world will move, without us guys,' says Mr Lim.
'Factories will stop because we move materials into their plants, supermarkets will close because we deliver their stocks, immigration will come to a standstill because we process passports.'
Yet for all the financial muscle the industry wields, Mr Lim does not earn a cent for his efforts. This is a guy who seems to know anyone who is anyone, prompting headhunters, companies and even competitors looking for talent to beat a path to his door. Retrenched industry workers, meanwhile, see him as a beacon of hope.
Mr Lim could have made a mint from all these connections but he does it for free, through the online platform Supply Chain Asia he built while working on a project in Thailand in 2007.
'I thought I would get all the contacts I have made in the supply chain industry to come to the website to network,' he says. 'That way, I could tap them for leads if I should need to look for a job later.'
He adds: 'We are all individuals working for companies. Tomorrow, we may be working for different companies. Why not talk to each other and be friends?'
Mr Lim, who has an MBA from Scotland's Stirling University, realised that he could not expect 'people from the industry to come to the website, I had to bring it to them'.
So he created a weekly digest, writing summaries and briefs of the news and happenings in the logistics industry and sent it to his initial list of 300 contacts.
'They found it useful, and I told them to send it to others,' says Mr Lim, who spends at least four hours every Sunday night working on the bulletin.
The list grew and the website now boasts 15,000 subscribers. Six months after the website was set up, Mr Lim - he is married to a human resource executive and has two children aged 11 and eight - decided to organise an event where Supply Chain Asia's members could network in real life.
To help underwrite the cost, he approached his contacts in companies that were recruiting to pay a nominal fee. Those looking for a job had free entry.
He also invited speakers to discuss the trend of acquisitions of smaller firms being gobbled up by bigger logistic corporations.
'One of the speakers I approached interviewed me instead. He asked me why I was doing it, and what I stood to gain from it,' says Mr Lim.
His reply? 'Nothing. I told him that I was doing it to help the industry and the community. I told him companies or speakers at the event could not sell their services, I just wanted them to share their knowledge.'
The event has since become an annual staple, a forum drawing some of the biggest, most respected names in the field.
Mr Phil Vaudin, who is in charge of supply chain strategy at Hewlett Packard in Singapore, describes Mr Lim as a man whose passion to help the industry is tireless.
'He has even started a young professionals group, where he encourages students and early career intakes into supply chain to network freely with senior professionals,' says Mr Vaudin.
Mr Lim says Supply Chain Asia's forums do not make any money.
'Any extras we raise from sponsors go into organising workshops and maintaining the website. All my accounts are audited, and I'm answerable to my council,' he says, referring to Supply Chain Asia's advisory council members. They comprise respected industry names, including Dr Robert Yap, chief executive of logistics firm YCH Group.
Several professionals told The Straits Times that it is 'a feat' to stage the forums for free. Registration fees for commercially organised ones such as the SCML Logistics World 2008, a key industry event, held last October, ranged from $1,696 for a post-conference workshop to $4,995 for a four-day pass.
Mr Lim laughs: 'These official organisers actually come to our event because they know our speakers are better.' He adds that an event organiser even offered him a six-figure sum to take over Supply Chain Asia's trademark.
'I said no. If I were in it for the money, I would have taken it commercial a long time ago.
'It is a communal effort the way it is now. And it is helping a lot of people, especially during the recession.'
Indeed, it has. Two writers in Singapore who lost their jobs with a publishing company last year are now running Supply Chain Asia's official magazine, which is distributed free to all its members.
'They came to me and said Supply Chain Asia would be a good platform for a magazine. They said they would put it together, get ads and distribute it free to all our members,' says Mr Lim, who agreed on the condition that the magazine will be distributed out of Singapore, not carry advertorials or be sold.
There are also plans for a Supply Chain Asia Training Academy to help retrenched veterans of the industry by conducting courses.
'We will be launching programmes to train industry professionals under the Workforce Skill Qualification scheme. And these guys, by virtue of their experience, are the best to do it.'
Mr Lim says that he has 10 retrenched veterans ready to run courses and the YCH Group has offered the use of its warehouse and training rooms.
'And the boss himself is ready to fund the development of the academy if it takes off,' he says.
Mr Lim introduced a career fair last year when he noticed a spike in the website's viewership because of the recession.
This Saturday's Supply Chain Careers 2009 will be run by the Young Professionals committee members at the Republic Polytechnic.
The event (details at www.supplychainasia.com/careers2009) costs $5,000 to organise. Sponsors contributed $4,000, with Mr Lim forking out $1,000 himself. The public, especially those who want to know if their skills could get them a job in the industry, are welcome to attend.
He acknowledges that the day may come when Supply Chain Asia becomes really big.
'When that day comes, I will walk off and leave it to the professionals. But I'm already happy knowing that I will always be the founder.'
- The Straits Times
Mr Lim - his day job is regional business development manager for global distribution giant TNT - is the key man for many professionals seeking greener pastures in the logistics field.
And it all began as a lark when he knocked up an informal website about three years ago that has become the must-see forum for those in the huge industry.
It has spawned hugely popular spin-offs like a free career fair being held on Saturday at Republic Polytechnic. Mr Lim, 45, has assembled logistics heavy-hitters who will be discussing industry trends and answering questions on career opportunities for the hundreds of people expected to attend.
At least eight companies are recruiting staff for a wide variety of positions, and representatives from at least 40 other firms will be keeping a look out for talent.
'The supply chain and logistics industries offer lots of interesting career opportunities. Nothing in the world will move, without us guys,' says Mr Lim.
'Factories will stop because we move materials into their plants, supermarkets will close because we deliver their stocks, immigration will come to a standstill because we process passports.'
Yet for all the financial muscle the industry wields, Mr Lim does not earn a cent for his efforts. This is a guy who seems to know anyone who is anyone, prompting headhunters, companies and even competitors looking for talent to beat a path to his door. Retrenched industry workers, meanwhile, see him as a beacon of hope.
Mr Lim could have made a mint from all these connections but he does it for free, through the online platform Supply Chain Asia he built while working on a project in Thailand in 2007.
'I thought I would get all the contacts I have made in the supply chain industry to come to the website to network,' he says. 'That way, I could tap them for leads if I should need to look for a job later.'
He adds: 'We are all individuals working for companies. Tomorrow, we may be working for different companies. Why not talk to each other and be friends?'
Mr Lim, who has an MBA from Scotland's Stirling University, realised that he could not expect 'people from the industry to come to the website, I had to bring it to them'.
So he created a weekly digest, writing summaries and briefs of the news and happenings in the logistics industry and sent it to his initial list of 300 contacts.
'They found it useful, and I told them to send it to others,' says Mr Lim, who spends at least four hours every Sunday night working on the bulletin.
The list grew and the website now boasts 15,000 subscribers. Six months after the website was set up, Mr Lim - he is married to a human resource executive and has two children aged 11 and eight - decided to organise an event where Supply Chain Asia's members could network in real life.
To help underwrite the cost, he approached his contacts in companies that were recruiting to pay a nominal fee. Those looking for a job had free entry.
He also invited speakers to discuss the trend of acquisitions of smaller firms being gobbled up by bigger logistic corporations.
'One of the speakers I approached interviewed me instead. He asked me why I was doing it, and what I stood to gain from it,' says Mr Lim.
His reply? 'Nothing. I told him that I was doing it to help the industry and the community. I told him companies or speakers at the event could not sell their services, I just wanted them to share their knowledge.'
The event has since become an annual staple, a forum drawing some of the biggest, most respected names in the field.
Mr Phil Vaudin, who is in charge of supply chain strategy at Hewlett Packard in Singapore, describes Mr Lim as a man whose passion to help the industry is tireless.
'He has even started a young professionals group, where he encourages students and early career intakes into supply chain to network freely with senior professionals,' says Mr Vaudin.
Mr Lim says Supply Chain Asia's forums do not make any money.
'Any extras we raise from sponsors go into organising workshops and maintaining the website. All my accounts are audited, and I'm answerable to my council,' he says, referring to Supply Chain Asia's advisory council members. They comprise respected industry names, including Dr Robert Yap, chief executive of logistics firm YCH Group.
Several professionals told The Straits Times that it is 'a feat' to stage the forums for free. Registration fees for commercially organised ones such as the SCML Logistics World 2008, a key industry event, held last October, ranged from $1,696 for a post-conference workshop to $4,995 for a four-day pass.
Mr Lim laughs: 'These official organisers actually come to our event because they know our speakers are better.' He adds that an event organiser even offered him a six-figure sum to take over Supply Chain Asia's trademark.
'I said no. If I were in it for the money, I would have taken it commercial a long time ago.
'It is a communal effort the way it is now. And it is helping a lot of people, especially during the recession.'
Indeed, it has. Two writers in Singapore who lost their jobs with a publishing company last year are now running Supply Chain Asia's official magazine, which is distributed free to all its members.
'They came to me and said Supply Chain Asia would be a good platform for a magazine. They said they would put it together, get ads and distribute it free to all our members,' says Mr Lim, who agreed on the condition that the magazine will be distributed out of Singapore, not carry advertorials or be sold.
There are also plans for a Supply Chain Asia Training Academy to help retrenched veterans of the industry by conducting courses.
'We will be launching programmes to train industry professionals under the Workforce Skill Qualification scheme. And these guys, by virtue of their experience, are the best to do it.'
Mr Lim says that he has 10 retrenched veterans ready to run courses and the YCH Group has offered the use of its warehouse and training rooms.
'And the boss himself is ready to fund the development of the academy if it takes off,' he says.
Mr Lim introduced a career fair last year when he noticed a spike in the website's viewership because of the recession.
This Saturday's Supply Chain Careers 2009 will be run by the Young Professionals committee members at the Republic Polytechnic.
The event (details at www.supplychainasia.com/careers2009) costs $5,000 to organise. Sponsors contributed $4,000, with Mr Lim forking out $1,000 himself. The public, especially those who want to know if their skills could get them a job in the industry, are welcome to attend.
He acknowledges that the day may come when Supply Chain Asia becomes really big.
'When that day comes, I will walk off and leave it to the professionals. But I'm already happy knowing that I will always be the founder.'
- The Straits Times
Mar 9, 2009
Resorts World at Sentosa receives 20,000 applications in job fair
Resorts World at Sentosa had received about 20,000 job applications during a recent career fair at Suntec City. It was offering some 800 job openings during the event.
The company said one in two job applicants wanted to work for the resort's casino, while 40 per cent of the applicants wanted to join Southeast Asia's first and only Universal Studios theme park.
The resort's booth saw massive crowds from the moment the fair opened last Thursday.
It received 1,000 job applications within the first 90 minutes of the fair, and 5,000 job applications by the end of the first day. Job applications also streamed in via its website and through the mail.
Applicants consisted of local and foreign job seekers, as well as professionals, fresh graduates and the recently retrenched.
Resorts World at Sentosa said it is committed to offering 10,000 jobs when it opens next year, despite the economic climate.
- Channel News Asia
The company said one in two job applicants wanted to work for the resort's casino, while 40 per cent of the applicants wanted to join Southeast Asia's first and only Universal Studios theme park.
The resort's booth saw massive crowds from the moment the fair opened last Thursday.
It received 1,000 job applications within the first 90 minutes of the fair, and 5,000 job applications by the end of the first day. Job applications also streamed in via its website and through the mail.
Applicants consisted of local and foreign job seekers, as well as professionals, fresh graduates and the recently retrenched.
Resorts World at Sentosa said it is committed to offering 10,000 jobs when it opens next year, despite the economic climate.
- Channel News Asia
Mar 8, 2009
Some healthcare vacancies unfilled at career & education fair 2009
Some 400,000 people visited the four-day Career 2009 & Education 2009 exhibition at Suntec Singapore.
The fair focused on not just jobs but also education and skills upgrading, but it was clear that the majority there were more keen on getting a job.
Each day, four to five thousand people were aiming for one of the 800 vacancies at the upcoming Resorts World Sentosa.
But while the booth was the hot favourite at the fair, other recruiters were also having large number of applicants, such as this childcare company.
HR executive from Knowledge Universe, Wirma Asad, said: "We have 30 positions open and so far we have about 100 people signing up for the programme. It doesn't matter whether they have the experience or not, as long as they have the minimum five GCE ‘O’ Levels, with a B4 in English."
But some jobs, mainly those in healthcare and social work, require specific expertise, and these organisations were finding it tough to fill the vacancies.
Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, Agatha Tan Mui Neo, said: "So far, no social workers (had applied), I must admit that. Only one from the US applied and he's a Caucasian. For the occupational therapists, zero (application). For the nurses, we seemed to have some potential but there were only about three applications and we're offering about six positions."
The search for health professionals would no doubt carry on, as authorities expected the healthcare sector to offer more than 10,000 vacancies by 2012.
- Channel News Asia
The fair focused on not just jobs but also education and skills upgrading, but it was clear that the majority there were more keen on getting a job.
Each day, four to five thousand people were aiming for one of the 800 vacancies at the upcoming Resorts World Sentosa.
But while the booth was the hot favourite at the fair, other recruiters were also having large number of applicants, such as this childcare company.
HR executive from Knowledge Universe, Wirma Asad, said: "We have 30 positions open and so far we have about 100 people signing up for the programme. It doesn't matter whether they have the experience or not, as long as they have the minimum five GCE ‘O’ Levels, with a B4 in English."
But some jobs, mainly those in healthcare and social work, require specific expertise, and these organisations were finding it tough to fill the vacancies.
Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, Agatha Tan Mui Neo, said: "So far, no social workers (had applied), I must admit that. Only one from the US applied and he's a Caucasian. For the occupational therapists, zero (application). For the nurses, we seemed to have some potential but there were only about three applications and we're offering about six positions."
The search for health professionals would no doubt carry on, as authorities expected the healthcare sector to offer more than 10,000 vacancies by 2012.
- Channel News Asia
Mar 7, 2009
3,000 throng job fair
SOME 3,220 job-seekers turned up for upcoming mall Tampines 1's job fair on Saturday at the Tampines Central Community Complex.
They were hoping to secure some 400 jobs offered by 17 participating tenants come April when the mall opens.
These jobs ranged from supervisors, sales assistants and service crew in the retail, fitness, food and beverage and supermarket shops in Tampines 1.
The fair, Mall Jobs@ Tampines 1, was jointly organised by North East CDC and AsiaMalls (S.E.A) Management. It is also part of the North East CDC's Job Radar programme which helps match unemployed residents with available jobs in the district.
The crowd came from all walks of life, from students seeking a part-time job, to executives who are looking for a career switch, to senior citizens making full use of their time to work.
Ms Kalai Selvi, 34, was hired as a service manager at Thai Express within an hour of the fair, which started at 10am.
'I knew people who were unemployed for 2 years, hence I thought it would be difficult to get a job. I am very very lucky,' said the former customer service representative who resigned last December to look for jobs in the hospitality line.
The employers received a total of 4,763 applications, as some people applied for more than one job. Some like Japan Foods Holding (Ajisen) and VGO Corporation, which manages World of Sports, also hired on the spot.
The response was far beyond their expectations.
'This is the best job fair I have attended. The response and the quality of the applicants are good,' said Mr Calvin Koh, 35, the human resource manager of Chinese restaurant Dian Xiao Er.
- The Straits Times
They were hoping to secure some 400 jobs offered by 17 participating tenants come April when the mall opens.
These jobs ranged from supervisors, sales assistants and service crew in the retail, fitness, food and beverage and supermarket shops in Tampines 1.
The fair, Mall Jobs@ Tampines 1, was jointly organised by North East CDC and AsiaMalls (S.E.A) Management. It is also part of the North East CDC's Job Radar programme which helps match unemployed residents with available jobs in the district.
The crowd came from all walks of life, from students seeking a part-time job, to executives who are looking for a career switch, to senior citizens making full use of their time to work.
Ms Kalai Selvi, 34, was hired as a service manager at Thai Express within an hour of the fair, which started at 10am.
'I knew people who were unemployed for 2 years, hence I thought it would be difficult to get a job. I am very very lucky,' said the former customer service representative who resigned last December to look for jobs in the hospitality line.
The employers received a total of 4,763 applications, as some people applied for more than one job. Some like Japan Foods Holding (Ajisen) and VGO Corporation, which manages World of Sports, also hired on the spot.
The response was far beyond their expectations.
'This is the best job fair I have attended. The response and the quality of the applicants are good,' said Mr Calvin Koh, 35, the human resource manager of Chinese restaurant Dian Xiao Er.
- The Straits Times
More than 3,200 people throng job fair for jobs within North East CDC
More than 3200 people made a beeline for 400 job vacancies in the North East Community Development Council (CDC) on Saturday.
Positions available ranged from sales assistants and logistic officers to executives and supervisors, paying between S$800 to S$2500 a month.
The jobs were offered by tenants of Singapore's newest suburban mall that is opening in Tampines next month.
Amore Fitness wanted to fill 20 positions, ranging from front desk officers, gym instructors to personal trainers, offering a salary of at least S$1000 a month.
For the two front desk officer positions alone, there were 70 applicants.
Amore said training would be given to the successful applicants.
Human resource executive at Amore Fitness, Yap Hui Mei, said: "Depending on the position itself… sales, for example, we need someone with sales experience. For applicants without any training, let's say they are applying (for a job in the) spa (sector), we actually tie up with Spa Institute and they can go for training."
MP for Tampines GRC, Masagoes Zulkifli, said that training and retraining is the way to go.
But he stressed that job seekers should moderate their expectations when looking for a job.
Mr Masagos said: "You have to start upgrading yourself. SPUR and all sorts of programmes are available for you to go for if you want to change jobs."
Mr Masagos said he had been seeing more jobless professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) at the meet-the-people sessions.
He added that these people could consider the many positions that need to be filled in the public sector such as in the Home Affairs and Education Ministries.
Mr Masagos said: “I hardly saw PMETs looking for jobs in my meet-the-people sessions. They usually came for issues such as leakages in their houses. But now… (the number is) more than what I've seen before. But I'm happy to say that we have an agency which is the CDC… to ensure that there are some job matching and skills upgrading programmes that they can go for.”
Many job seekers Channel NewsAsia spoke to seem to heed the advice on job expectations.
One said: "Any job they offer me, as long as (they don’t mind) my age, I can take (up the job)."
The job fair was organised under the North East Job Radar programme which aimed to highlight jobs available within the North East CDC.
But the CDC itself also holds regular job recruitment exercises, offering jobs that are available islandwide.
At the end of the job fair, more than 4700 applications were received.
- Channel News Asia
Positions available ranged from sales assistants and logistic officers to executives and supervisors, paying between S$800 to S$2500 a month.
The jobs were offered by tenants of Singapore's newest suburban mall that is opening in Tampines next month.
Amore Fitness wanted to fill 20 positions, ranging from front desk officers, gym instructors to personal trainers, offering a salary of at least S$1000 a month.
For the two front desk officer positions alone, there were 70 applicants.
Amore said training would be given to the successful applicants.
Human resource executive at Amore Fitness, Yap Hui Mei, said: "Depending on the position itself… sales, for example, we need someone with sales experience. For applicants without any training, let's say they are applying (for a job in the) spa (sector), we actually tie up with Spa Institute and they can go for training."
MP for Tampines GRC, Masagoes Zulkifli, said that training and retraining is the way to go.
But he stressed that job seekers should moderate their expectations when looking for a job.
Mr Masagos said: "You have to start upgrading yourself. SPUR and all sorts of programmes are available for you to go for if you want to change jobs."
Mr Masagos said he had been seeing more jobless professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) at the meet-the-people sessions.
He added that these people could consider the many positions that need to be filled in the public sector such as in the Home Affairs and Education Ministries.
Mr Masagos said: “I hardly saw PMETs looking for jobs in my meet-the-people sessions. They usually came for issues such as leakages in their houses. But now… (the number is) more than what I've seen before. But I'm happy to say that we have an agency which is the CDC… to ensure that there are some job matching and skills upgrading programmes that they can go for.”
Many job seekers Channel NewsAsia spoke to seem to heed the advice on job expectations.
One said: "Any job they offer me, as long as (they don’t mind) my age, I can take (up the job)."
The job fair was organised under the North East Job Radar programme which aimed to highlight jobs available within the North East CDC.
But the CDC itself also holds regular job recruitment exercises, offering jobs that are available islandwide.
At the end of the job fair, more than 4700 applications were received.
- Channel News Asia
Mar 6, 2009
Job fair draws 120,000
THERE was no questioning which were the main attractions at this job fair.
Despite having more than 400 exhibitors present, many of the 120,000 visitors to the Career 2009 and Education 2009 fair yesterday made a beeline for booths set up by Resorts World and Marina Bay Sands.
The two integrated resorts, which were offering thousands of jobs, drew them all: Young and old, Singaporeans and foreigners, the retrenched and those with jobs.
Singaporean Simon Pay was among them. The 27-year-old, who has a job in the tourism industry, said: 'I see this as a growing market and I want a new job experience. So I'm just trying my luck here.'
For those like Mr Kelvin Lian, however, the situation is more dire. The 25-year-old Singaporean graduated with a business degree last September, but has been unsuccessful so far in his job hunt.
He said: 'It's a tough year ahead. I have no particular preference for job positions, as long as I can get one.'
Interest in the IR jobs was so high that the Resorts World at Sentosa booth received more than 1,000 job applications within the first 90 minutes of the fair's opening. By the end of the day, it had received over 5,000 applications.
Speaking for Marina Bay Sands, its president Nigel Roberts said: 'We were delighted with the number of people who visited us today.'
- The Straits Times
Despite having more than 400 exhibitors present, many of the 120,000 visitors to the Career 2009 and Education 2009 fair yesterday made a beeline for booths set up by Resorts World and Marina Bay Sands.
The two integrated resorts, which were offering thousands of jobs, drew them all: Young and old, Singaporeans and foreigners, the retrenched and those with jobs.
Singaporean Simon Pay was among them. The 27-year-old, who has a job in the tourism industry, said: 'I see this as a growing market and I want a new job experience. So I'm just trying my luck here.'
For those like Mr Kelvin Lian, however, the situation is more dire. The 25-year-old Singaporean graduated with a business degree last September, but has been unsuccessful so far in his job hunt.
He said: 'It's a tough year ahead. I have no particular preference for job positions, as long as I can get one.'
Interest in the IR jobs was so high that the Resorts World at Sentosa booth received more than 1,000 job applications within the first 90 minutes of the fair's opening. By the end of the day, it had received over 5,000 applications.
Speaking for Marina Bay Sands, its president Nigel Roberts said: 'We were delighted with the number of people who visited us today.'
- The Straits Times
Feb 28, 2009
350 jobs in creative sector
THERE are some 350 immediate job vacancies and many more training and apprenticeship opportunities in the Creative Industries, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) said on Saturday.
Some job openings in areas such as Animation, Games Development, New Media, Public Relations, Publishing and Arts Management are available at the Creative Industries Fair. Participating employers include Emily Hill, DesignSingapore Council, Pearson Education, Double Negative, Ubisoft and the Institute of Public Relations.
Many of these jobs are suitable for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) interested in entering the sector or further advancing their career within the sector, the agency said.
The first-of-its-kind fair is jointly organised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Ministry of Information, Communications & the Arts (MICA) and its statutory boards and agencies as well as SPRING Singapore. 15 employers and 13 training providers are participating in the event.
Eight new conversion programmes will also be launched to provide some 400 training and apprenticeship opportunities over the next year to help Singaporeans gain industry-relevant knowledge, skills and work experience in the arts and culture, design, media and communication sectors. These conversion programmes aim to help PMETs to convert to new careers successfully.
The fair also features many other skills upgrading programmes for those currently working in the Creative Industries specifically those in the Publishing, Arts Education, Printing, Animation, Games Development and Design sectors.
All these programmes are part of the Professional Skills Programme (PSP), announced by the Prime Minister last week. The PSP brings together the entire range of skills training and job assistance initiatives specifically for PMETs. These range from career conversion, skills upgrading, tertiary upgrading programmes to career workshops on communications skills, resume writing and interview techniques. PMETs will receive enhanced course fee funding support under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).
'As the creative industries are at the forefront of the latest technology, innovation and cultural trends, those working in the industries need to update their skills very frequently,' said Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief Executive of WDA in a statement.
Entry to the Creative Industries Fair 2009, held at the Marina Square central atrium from 27 Feb to 1 Mar 09, is free. For more information, visit www.wda.gov.sg or call WDA's hotline 6883 5885 for further enquires.
- The Straits Times
Some job openings in areas such as Animation, Games Development, New Media, Public Relations, Publishing and Arts Management are available at the Creative Industries Fair. Participating employers include Emily Hill, DesignSingapore Council, Pearson Education, Double Negative, Ubisoft and the Institute of Public Relations.
Many of these jobs are suitable for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs) interested in entering the sector or further advancing their career within the sector, the agency said.
The first-of-its-kind fair is jointly organised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Ministry of Information, Communications & the Arts (MICA) and its statutory boards and agencies as well as SPRING Singapore. 15 employers and 13 training providers are participating in the event.
Eight new conversion programmes will also be launched to provide some 400 training and apprenticeship opportunities over the next year to help Singaporeans gain industry-relevant knowledge, skills and work experience in the arts and culture, design, media and communication sectors. These conversion programmes aim to help PMETs to convert to new careers successfully.
The fair also features many other skills upgrading programmes for those currently working in the Creative Industries specifically those in the Publishing, Arts Education, Printing, Animation, Games Development and Design sectors.
All these programmes are part of the Professional Skills Programme (PSP), announced by the Prime Minister last week. The PSP brings together the entire range of skills training and job assistance initiatives specifically for PMETs. These range from career conversion, skills upgrading, tertiary upgrading programmes to career workshops on communications skills, resume writing and interview techniques. PMETs will receive enhanced course fee funding support under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).
'As the creative industries are at the forefront of the latest technology, innovation and cultural trends, those working in the industries need to update their skills very frequently,' said Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief Executive of WDA in a statement.
Entry to the Creative Industries Fair 2009, held at the Marina Square central atrium from 27 Feb to 1 Mar 09, is free. For more information, visit www.wda.gov.sg or call WDA's hotline 6883 5885 for further enquires.
- The Straits Times
Feb 27, 2009
4,800 flock to job fair
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.
- The Straits Times
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.
- The Straits Times
New job 'screening' process
WHEN Ms Annie Yeo, 32, left home for a job fair on Friday, she had more than a good chance of securing a position with an employer.
That was because the organisers had already contacted her earlier to confirm that she had the work experience and educational qualifications for the hotel and sales positions that she was interested in.
This new 'screening' process, ahead of when job fairs are held, is to ensure that there will be a better fit between job seekers and employers when such events are held, said National Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob.
It is the latest move being adopted by the NTUC Women's Development Secretariat, which she heads, to help more women return to the workforce.
A related step is to ensure that there is better follow-up action once a job seeker links up with an employer, she told reporters after touring the jobs fair at the Employment and Employability Institute.
This means checking with employers if the women they shortlisted will need training - say in English literacy skills - and then helping put them through a relevant course, she explained.
On Friday, some 2,000 women turned up at the fair, which employers were seeking to fill 900 vacancies in jobs such as food and beverage crews, and retail assistants.
Among job seekers who turned up were retrenched factory workers, and housewives whose husbands had lost their jobs or suffered a pay cut.
- The Straits Times
That was because the organisers had already contacted her earlier to confirm that she had the work experience and educational qualifications for the hotel and sales positions that she was interested in.
This new 'screening' process, ahead of when job fairs are held, is to ensure that there will be a better fit between job seekers and employers when such events are held, said National Trades Union Congress deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob.
It is the latest move being adopted by the NTUC Women's Development Secretariat, which she heads, to help more women return to the workforce.
A related step is to ensure that there is better follow-up action once a job seeker links up with an employer, she told reporters after touring the jobs fair at the Employment and Employability Institute.
This means checking with employers if the women they shortlisted will need training - say in English literacy skills - and then helping put them through a relevant course, she explained.
On Friday, some 2,000 women turned up at the fair, which employers were seeking to fill 900 vacancies in jobs such as food and beverage crews, and retail assistants.
Among job seekers who turned up were retrenched factory workers, and housewives whose husbands had lost their jobs or suffered a pay cut.
- The Straits Times
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