Why Singapore graduates aren't getting the right jobs

[greengiraffe]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102088730?trknav=...:topnews:4

Why Singapore graduates aren't getting the right jobs
See Kit Tang | @SeeKit_T

A university degree may no longer be the golden ticket to an ideal job in Singapore amid a growing pool of degree holders and fast-changing economy.

Singapore's unemployment rate stood at 2 percent in the April-June period, well below the 6 percent global average for 2013 as calculated by the International Labor Organization, but recent statistics show rising underemployment in the Southeast Asian city-state.

In 2013, 2.3 percent of graduates were underemployed – highly skilled workers engaged in low-paying or low-skilled positions or that could only find part-time jobs – a tick higher from 2.2 percent in 2012, according to the Ministry of Manpower. The government analyzed five qualification levels; degree holders were the group in which underemployment increased.

Read MoreSingaporeans value new skills over pay

Shifting dynamics

Retrenched middle-aged degree holders that face difficulty in re-employment are at the heart of underemployment, according to Hui Weng Tat, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Policy, but underemployment among graduates is on the rise due to a culmination of factors.

Changes in Singapore's economy are spawning increasingly specialized roles that often require work experience or cross-cultural communication, business partnering, and problem solving skills that may not be taught in school, making it harder for entry-level graduates to find work.

"Wages in Singapore are high and companies often look to reduce cost by outsourcing low-added value roles. Unfortunately, this means that roles for graduates can be hard to come by as Singapore becomes more of an executive hub," Emmanuel White, regional director of Hudson Singapore, told CNBC via email.

Read MoreIs F1driving down Singapore's productivity?

Meanwhile, the growing number of degree holders in Singapore increases competition for jobs. Among Singaporean residents aged 25-34 years, 51.1 percent had a university education in 2013 compared with 26.1 percent in 2000, according to Singapore's department of statistics.

"As a result, some graduates take a longer time to find full-time employment and take part-time or temporary roles in the interim," a representative of recruitment firm Kelly Services told CNBC.

Greater emphasis on personal fulfillment among the younger generation is another factor.

Read MoreSingapore workers are an unhappy bunch

"Many candidates, especially at the graduate level, are looking for more than just monetary benefits these days and this means they are more selective about the kind of company or even industry that they consider," the Kelly Services representative said. "Graduates [often] enjoy trying different roles and getting a variety of work experience before making a decision on their eventual career path."

Alan See, a 26-year-old with a bachelor's degree in English literature, is one example. He's currently interning at a local advertising firm and hopes the half-year stint results in a full-time job.

"The hours are long and I'm only paid $500 a month, but I'm having fun," he said. "I feel linguistically challenged every day and hope this can be my stepping stone into advertising,"

Read MoreDo you give your 100% at work? Not if you live here
Cause for concern?

Shifting employment trends are a concern for the government. In March, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin cautioned that a graduate glut could result in "overeducated and underemployed" workers, as seen in South Korea and Taiwan.

In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the need for a "cultural shift" in employment practices and mindsets to focus on industrial-related skills over qualifications.

However, recent underemployment data don't necessarily spell bad news for Singapore's drive to boost productivity: "The data just show a slight change," Professor Hui said. "I wouldn't be too concerned."

See Kit Tang
News Assistant, CNBC Asia-Pacific

[Contrarian]

My brother told me which make sense:

1. Singaporeans are very capable and competent in execution. Because we are so good, when the management team has a few foreigners, they are likely to hire a less capable, more obedient person and a lot more cheaper (malaysians happily come over at 2.55X their pay)

When I went to an MNC in Bouona Vista area, I glanced around, my eyes within that 10 minutes, I see at least 30-40% of staff are foreigners. The management staff were foreigners too, expat hires :-)


2. No right skills?
The only quality I see our locals should emulate is to be more aggressive, better at packaging, masking the not-so-nice things, less at telling the whole truth.

Because the company landscape has moved a lot from integrity and substance to showing individual performance and flair. Our locals are taught to be honest, and not so good at corporate game, packaging, 'angkat', let performance delivers.

Today, many times it is 'angkat' that results in the promotion.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102088730?trknav=...:topnews:4

Why Singapore graduates aren't getting the right jobs
See Kit Tang | @SeeKit_T

A university degree may no longer be the golden ticket to an ideal job in Singapore amid a growing pool of degree holders and fast-changing economy.

Singapore's unemployment rate stood at 2 percent in the April-June period, well below the 6 percent global average for 2013 as calculated by the International Labor Organization, but recent statistics show rising underemployment in the Southeast Asian city-state.

In 2013, 2.3 percent of graduates were underemployed – highly skilled workers engaged in low-paying or low-skilled positions or that could only find part-time jobs – a tick higher from 2.2 percent in 2012, according to the Ministry of Manpower. The government analyzed five qualification levels; degree holders were the group in which underemployment increased.

Read More Singaporeans value new skills over pay

Shifting dynamics

Retrenched middle-aged degree holders that face difficulty in re-employment are at the heart of underemployment, according to Hui Weng Tat, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Policy, but underemployment among graduates is on the rise due to a culmination of factors.

Changes in Singapore's economy are spawning increasingly specialized roles that often require work experience or cross-cultural communication, business partnering, and problem solving skills that may not be taught in school, making it harder for entry-level graduates to find work.

"Wages in Singapore are high and companies often look to reduce cost by outsourcing low-added value roles. Unfortunately, this means that roles for graduates can be hard to come by as Singapore becomes more of an executive hub," Emmanuel White, regional director of Hudson Singapore, told CNBC via email.

Read MoreIs F1driving down Singapore's productivity?

Meanwhile, the growing number of degree holders in Singapore increases competition for jobs. Among Singaporean residents aged 25-34 years, 51.1 percent had a university education in 2013 compared with 26.1 percent in 2000, according to Singapore's department of statistics.

"As a result, some graduates take a longer time to find full-time employment and take part-time or temporary roles in the interim," a representative of recruitment firm Kelly Services told CNBC.

Greater emphasis on personal fulfillment among the younger generation is another factor.

Read MoreSingapore workers are an unhappy bunch

"Many candidates, especially at the graduate level, are looking for more than just monetary benefits these days and this means they are more selective about the kind of company or even industry that they consider," the Kelly Services representative said. "Graduates [often] enjoy trying different roles and getting a variety of work experience before making a decision on their eventual career path."

Alan See, a 26-year-old with a bachelor's degree in English literature, is one example. He's currently interning at a local advertising firm and hopes the half-year stint results in a full-time job.

"The hours are long and I'm only paid $500 a month, but I'm having fun," he said. "I feel linguistically challenged every day and hope this can be my stepping stone into advertising,"

Read MoreDo you give your 100% at work? Not if you live here
Cause for concern?

Shifting employment trends are a concern for the government. In March, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin cautioned that a graduate glut could result in "overeducated and underemployed" workers, as seen in South Korea and Taiwan.

In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the need for a "cultural shift" in employment practices and mindsets to focus on industrial-related skills over qualifications.

However, recent underemployment data don't necessarily spell bad news for Singapore's drive to boost productivity: "The data just show a slight change," Professor Hui said. "I wouldn't be too concerned."

See Kit Tang
News Assistant, CNBC Asia-Pacific

[Freenasi]

What I have observed is that local grads are not given a chance at the jobs they want. Many times I see foreigners taking up certain jobs and they hold on to them, by playing politics or curry flavour their bosses. It is of cos very attractive for them, as the strong S$ mean its a large sum of money to them in their hometown. It is also quite sad to see that some of them do not work with a long-term approach. Settling with short-term objects as they know their main objectives are to earn most $S. They maybe some who r exceptional but I can see many FTs are behaving like this. This deprives our new grads of opportunities and limit their choices after their graduation.

[Belg]

My brother told me which make sense:

1. Singaporeans are very capable and competent in execution. Because we are so good, when the management team has a few foreigners, they are likely to hire a less capable, more obedient person and a lot more cheaper (malaysians happily come over at 2.55X their pay)

When I went to an MNC in Bouona Vista area, I glanced around, my eyes within that 10 minutes, I see at least 30-40% of staff are foreigners. The management staff were foreigners too, expat hires :-)


2. No right skills?
The only quality I see our locals should emulate is to be more aggressive, better at packaging, masking the not-so-nice things, less at telling the whole truth.

Because the company landscape has moved a lot from integrity and substance to showing individual performance and flair. Our locals are taught to be honest, and not so good at corporate game, packaging, 'angkat', let performance delivers.

Today, many times it is 'angkat' that results in the promotion.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102088730?trknav=...:topnews:4

Why Singapore graduates aren't getting the right jobs
See Kit Tang | @SeeKit_T

A university degree may no longer be the golden ticket to an ideal job in Singapore amid a growing pool of degree holders and fast-changing economy.

Singapore's unemployment rate stood at 2 percent in the April-June period, well below the 6 percent global average for 2013 as calculated by the International Labor Organization, but recent statistics show rising underemployment in the Southeast Asian city-state.

In 2013, 2.3 percent of graduates were underemployed – highly skilled workers engaged in low-paying or low-skilled positions or that could only find part-time jobs – a tick higher from 2.2 percent in 2012, according to the Ministry of Manpower. The government analyzed five qualification levels; degree holders were the group in which underemployment increased.

Read More Singaporeans value new skills over pay

Shifting dynamics

Retrenched middle-aged degree holders that face difficulty in re-employment are at the heart of underemployment, according to Hui Weng Tat, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Policy, but underemployment among graduates is on the rise due to a culmination of factors.

Changes in Singapore's economy are spawning increasingly specialized roles that often require work experience or cross-cultural communication, business partnering, and problem solving skills that may not be taught in school, making it harder for entry-level graduates to find work.

"Wages in Singapore are high and companies often look to reduce cost by outsourcing low-added value roles. Unfortunately, this means that roles for graduates can be hard to come by as Singapore becomes more of an executive hub," Emmanuel White, regional director of Hudson Singapore, told CNBC via email.

Read MoreIs F1driving down Singapore's productivity?

Meanwhile, the growing number of degree holders in Singapore increases competition for jobs. Among Singaporean residents aged 25-34 years, 51.1 percent had a university education in 2013 compared with 26.1 percent in 2000, according to Singapore's department of statistics.

"As a result, some graduates take a longer time to find full-time employment and take part-time or temporary roles in the interim," a representative of recruitment firm Kelly Services told CNBC.

Greater emphasis on personal fulfillment among the younger generation is another factor.

Read MoreSingapore workers are an unhappy bunch

"Many candidates, especially at the graduate level, are looking for more than just monetary benefits these days and this means they are more selective about the kind of company or even industry that they consider," the Kelly Services representative said. "Graduates [often] enjoy trying different roles and getting a variety of work experience before making a decision on their eventual career path."

Alan See, a 26-year-old with a bachelor's degree in English literature, is one example. He's currently interning at a local advertising firm and hopes the half-year stint results in a full-time job.

"The hours are long and I'm only paid $500 a month, but I'm having fun," he said. "I feel linguistically challenged every day and hope this can be my stepping stone into advertising,"

Read MoreDo you give your 100% at work? Not if you live here
Cause for concern?

Shifting employment trends are a concern for the government. In March, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin cautioned that a graduate glut could result in "overeducated and underemployed" workers, as seen in South Korea and Taiwan.

In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the need for a "cultural shift" in employment practices and mindsets to focus on industrial-related skills over qualifications.

However, recent underemployment data don't necessarily spell bad news for Singapore's drive to boost productivity: "The data just show a slight change," Professor Hui said. "I wouldn't be too concerned."

See Kit Tang
News Assistant, CNBC Asia-Pacific

Bro,

I fully agreed with the portion of masking up the not-so-good things and packaging ourselves and angkat to move upwards.

Personally I had a friend who encountered such a shift in corporate culture during one of his interviews with a UK MD. He had wanted him to be a change agent in the company. My friend ask for the full job description of it but the MD didn't quite like it. He had wanted full obedience to his cause and also ang kat him for his exploits in the London Olympics. Inevitably, my friend didn't get the job but in fact I congratulate him for living up to his principles and also not fearing to question authority.

Locals have this honesty streak which I feel is very a valuable aspect and it differentiate us from others. Why we are so good in planning and execution is because we always cleared things up when others failed in their talking. From my view thus far, locals should beef up a lot on building valuable networks to bridge any future opportunities.

"Only the real gold will surface, when the big fire has subsided."

[WolfT]

This is just my 2cts.It does not refer to all singaporean.

1)Singaporean are just not hungry enough for the job. Hit a setback and then thinking of changing job.
2) Job hop for a mere few hundred dollars.
3) Title is more impt then the experience.
4) No sense of awareness. Usually the last one to know he/she is going to get axe.
5) We look down on other nationalities. We think we are very smart.
6) Singaporean does not know how to package themselves, not very vocal. We need to be more expressive and network more.

Foreigners don't have a choice, they have burn their bridge. They have nothing to fall back on. Make or break. IF U ARE THEM,WILL YOU STRIVE AND GROW WHENEVER U HAVE A CHANCE?
I know a friend who work as an financial analyst. A few yrs later,after a few round of job hopping, she is still a financial analyst! maybe slightly higher pay.

[Contrarian]

> Locals have this honesty streak which I feel is very a valuable aspect and it differentiate us from others. Why we are so good in
> planning and execution is because we always cleared things up when others failed in their talking. From my view thus far, locals
> should beef up a lot on building valuable networks to bridge any future opportunities.

What I hear from a headhunter friend, some roles, they say they only want singaporean locals. No reason why... I guess what u said is most appropriate reason!!!

[CityFarmer]

I reckon a more appropriate location for the thread should be in Other sub-forum.

Please continue to discuss over there.

Regards
Moderator

[zhetrin]

it really depends on what you referred by "singapore graduates". do they include foreign students studying in local universities like nus, ntu, smu or just basically singaporean/PR graduates. What I observed is that government has done a lot of things to secure jobs for the Singaporeans and PR that really, it is so hard for foreign fresh grad to get any kind of position. While at the same time, most if not all Singaporean graduates that I know secured a job even before graduation or shortly after (<2 months). This of course exclude the scholarship holders or people with stellar gpa and cca titles.

For example: foreign fresh grad need to earn a pass to work in Singapore. The pass itself has a lot of restrictions. Employment pass need at least 3,3k salary (although this is pretty slack afaik). For s-pass there are certain quota and again minimum wage. Then even before they could accept foreign talents, they need to post for 2 weeks exclusively for SIngaporeans and PRs, leaving only less favorable positions for foreign students. Now, while we were scrambling for any kind of job my Singaporean friends are concerned because her 3.2k is less than what the others are supposed to earn.

[Raks]

Not given the chance to do what they want? Our local graduates must first know what they want.
I once saw a local manager told a foreigner who graduated in public university in Singapore that regardless of his achievements and whatever he does, he will always get promoted slower than another local graduate (graduated from same university). The local left for a few hundred dollars more and other reasons, despite being placed on a fast track that would give him a manager title in 3 years. He got the job stating to the management that he was going for management route, then hopped to a more specialist title that pays more - at least in the short term. Or maybe he changed his mind and realized that specialist, technical route is what he wants.

And then there are those locals who wants to be managers without showing aptitude/respect to the technical side of the job; wishing to be manager, strategist without knowing enough of anything. In military, "General" get to see the whole picture while "specialist" defuses bomb. However, no General should be exempted from knowing how to fire a weapon.

This is the first problem - graduate doesn't know what they want. In recruitment drive, I talked to some about to graduate university students - why have you chosen this specialization, do you know what this job description means? It's not surprising to see someone who has really good academic results, doesn't know what he wants to do. It seems like the youngsters are too busy studying and getting results, to ask themselves, what do you want to do.
He spent so much time, almost total devotion to study something like, econometrics, that he might use probably a few times in his life, yet had no time to think about how he wants to live his his life - something he would live everyday after he graduates.
I dont think many local graduates are that greedy and short sighted - hopping job for a few hundred dollars. However, I seen too many who really have no clue on what they want to do. They have no hero to emulate. No dreams to follow. I've got this result, I should get this pay. Etc. This is probably why they like to hop.

http://hbr.org/2010/07/how-will-you-meas...-life/ar/1

Another problem I sense is sometimes managers can get a little selfish. Where there is an opportunity for training/education/project, some managers tend to keep their best men - who were good at solving problem to the managers themselves. Therefore, good technical persons get stuck in technical jobs, while mediocre ones get more opportunity. Those who had to serve the nation probably knows that sometimes the recruit that has the best fitness and leadership quality might not get to OCS, even if he wants to.

[chanwbkenneth]

I think the problem is that everyone wants a good desk paying job. I mean, you don't see a substantial number of people proclaiming that they want to be a world class artist. #firstworldproblems