Singapore Jobs Market
06-05-2006, 06:48 PM
SINGAPORE : The Job Re-creation Programme launched in March last year has proved successful, even in the normally shunned construction industry.
Spear-headed by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), it is aimed at giving existing jobs a makeover and matching them with local job seekers.
Plastering and tiling were never Lim Kiat's speciality.
But today, the 51-year-old does his new job with ease and confidence.
Mr Lim has just been hired by construction company Woh Hup to be a tiler after undergoing six weeks of training.
Previously, he was an odd-job labourer with no steady income. That has all changed, thanks to the Job Re-Creation Programme.
"I feel extremely happy because this is a long-term job. Previously, I worked as an odd-job labourer with no CPF. Each month, I worked only a few days. But now working here, they have people to train me to do various tasks and I've learned a lot of things," said Mr Lim.
"Especially in construction, many Singaporeans have misconceptions about this job. I don't think it's difficult, as long as you're willing to learn," he added.
Under the Job Re-creation Programme, workers like Lim Kiat will have better access to training.
This will enable them to pick up new skills and get jobs.
The programme, involving about 12 sectors such as security and healthcare, also aims to make jobs more attractive to Singaporeans.
For the construction sector, more than 40 Singaporeans have already been trained and placed in relevant jobs. And the number is set to grow.
"Employers have been very surprised. They've always assumed that it's a tough job and no Singaporeans want to join the (construction) industry. But when we reach out to Singaporeans, we find them very open to joining this industry, once they realise that there are good, structured training programmes in place to get them to high professional standards, giving them prospects for career progression in the industry," said Zee Yoong Kang, director of NTUC Joblink.
NTUC has, to date, found employment for more than 4,600 Singaporeans through the Job Re-creation Programme.
- CNA /ls
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/201881/1/.html
Spear-headed by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), it is aimed at giving existing jobs a makeover and matching them with local job seekers.
Plastering and tiling were never Lim Kiat's speciality.
But today, the 51-year-old does his new job with ease and confidence.
Mr Lim has just been hired by construction company Woh Hup to be a tiler after undergoing six weeks of training.
Previously, he was an odd-job labourer with no steady income. That has all changed, thanks to the Job Re-Creation Programme.
"I feel extremely happy because this is a long-term job. Previously, I worked as an odd-job labourer with no CPF. Each month, I worked only a few days. But now working here, they have people to train me to do various tasks and I've learned a lot of things," said Mr Lim.
"Especially in construction, many Singaporeans have misconceptions about this job. I don't think it's difficult, as long as you're willing to learn," he added.
Under the Job Re-creation Programme, workers like Lim Kiat will have better access to training.
This will enable them to pick up new skills and get jobs.
The programme, involving about 12 sectors such as security and healthcare, also aims to make jobs more attractive to Singaporeans.
For the construction sector, more than 40 Singaporeans have already been trained and placed in relevant jobs. And the number is set to grow.
"Employers have been very surprised. They've always assumed that it's a tough job and no Singaporeans want to join the (construction) industry. But when we reach out to Singaporeans, we find them very open to joining this industry, once they realise that there are good, structured training programmes in place to get them to high professional standards, giving them prospects for career progression in the industry," said Zee Yoong Kang, director of NTUC Joblink.
NTUC has, to date, found employment for more than 4,600 Singaporeans through the Job Re-creation Programme.
- CNA /ls
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/201881/1/.html