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“T-shaped skills” workers are wanted.
Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam spelt out the characteristics of the new type of Singapore worker on 1 February 2010 at the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) press conference.
The big shift announced by the high-powered panel touched broadly on how to grow Singapore’s economy and to raise wages by increasing productivity, improving skills, and promoting innovation.
In the announcement, the Finance Minister laid out the characteristics of “T-shaped competencies” workers as those who “possess deep skills in their area of expertise as well as a broad knowledge of horizontal skills such as management, finance and business operations”.
Training workers by putting them through further education are vital to improving Singapore’s productivity. Workers should continue to go for Continuing Education Training (CET) programmes to upgrade their skills and expand their knowledge.
Echoed Resorts World at Sentosa’s Human Resource Assistant Director, Jessica Shen, who was at Republic Polytechnic’s Career Fair on 2 February, “We are looking for people with excellent service mindset, work well in teams, and are equipped with relevant skills and have managerial knowledge.”
Students and graduates at Republic Polytechnic (RP) possess qualities sought after by employers. Problem-based Learning (PBL) at RP begins with problem statements as stimulus for learning. Coupled with prior knowledge and experiences, students reflect critically in a collaborative team setting and present their responses to the problem statement in class.
“Republic Polytechnic students are active and vibrant. They ask good questions and show enthusiasm in learning about job opportunities,” observed Jonathan Lum, HR Manager of Singapore Post. “Students are also prepared. Some took time to write their CVs and handed to us at the Career Fair.”
This year’s fair attracted 49 employers from various sectors. It has also attracted employers like Camelot Singapore, J Champs Media, Outward Bound Singapore, Resorts World at Sentosa, and TCC Hospitality because of RP’s niche diplomas in hospitality, customer service, sports and outdoor adventure.
Sports and Leisure final year student, Terence Toh, gave this year’s Career Fair thumbs up for the buzz it had created. “There are many people at each booth. However, I manage to get brief introductions about the company and HR representatives provide insights on career paths and job scopes,” he added.
The fair was not just for final year students and graduates. Recruitment agencies and HR consultancies such as Jobstreet, JobsDB, Kelly Services, GMP Group and JobsCentral had set up booths at the fair. Lau Meishi, second year student pursuing diploma in Aerospace Avionics, was spotted at the fair. She explained: “I am looking for part-time jobs that may or may not be related to my course. My friends are looking for internship opportunities. This Career Fair has a good mix for those not looking for full-time jobs.”
Final year student in Biotechnology, Tan Si Min, was unable to attend the
fair but concluded that the career fair was useful to “learn what expectations are required by potential employers; employees can also express their career aspirations. Increasingly, employees are looking for a career, not just a job. Investing and training workers will help to retain them. These companies will attract me.”
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