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SINGAPORE: 100 jobless executives will get about S$1.7 million in a year for just going back to school. They’ll each get a stipend of about S$1,400 per month. It’s all part of a new training programme started by two government agencies to help mid—career professionals during the current recession.

The tourism sector is still hiring despite the economic downturn. Singapore expects some 25,000 jobs to be created in the sector over the next few years with major developments like the two Integrated Resorts.

That’s why the Manpower Ministry started a new training programme for jobless executives to make the career—switch.

Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, said: “Through these courses, we enhance their employability and their mobility. So even if they start the job that they may not particularly like, they can learn to like the job. Also, they may continue to look for opportunities for upward mobility as well as for more opportunities in other sectors."

That’s exactly what 25—year—old Geargina Tan plans to do. The business degree—holder has had little success getting a job she wants since graduating in August last year.

Students pay a flat fee of S$1,900 for the one—year diploma course after an 80 per cent subsidy under the government’s Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).

But they’ll have to work in the industry for at least a year after completing the programme.
Students will get to learn hands—on skills as part of the course. They will spend three days each week working in various tourism positions on Sentosa.

But there will be a screening process for the 100 places available during the first year of the programme.

Mike Barclay, CEO, Sentosa Leisure Group, said: "What we’re looking for is passion, the ability to reach out to people when they’re dealing with them, whether its one of our attractions or F&B outlets.

"Friday through Sunday, you’re working in Sentosa in a frontline role and you’ll learn the nature of the job very fast. You’ll be working with tourism professionals who will show you the ropes."
The first intake for the course starts in March.

Mr Gan said the Workforce Development Authority will be introducing more of such Professional Conversion Programmes for industries expected to grow and hire more workers.

In December, four such programmes were introduced in pre—school education, pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare and workplace safety and health.

Mr Gan said two more similar training programmes in digital animation and stage production are expected over the next three months.

But besides re—training after retrenchment, Mr Gan said he’s working with companies to retain staff by using other cost—cutting measures.

Mr Gan also commented on Singapore’s leading media company MediaCorp’s move to implement shorter work weeks to help the company cope with the weak business climate.
He said: "We want to encourage companies to follow the example so they can manage the process of cost—reduction and minimise the retrenchment. I think responsible actions by employers will help us minimise the job losses."

MediaCorp is introducing alternate four—day work weeks and getting staff to take common block leave in the coming financial year.

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Source: CNA