THE STRAITS TIMESBoosting talent in technical fieldsPublished on Feb 16, 2015 12:10pmBy Amelia Tan And Joanna Seow

Mr Melvin Tan (left), managing director of engineering and construction services company Cyclect, retains his engineers by giving them the opportunity to try new things. Mr Sabestian Ng and Ms Gayle Tan, both 32, studied engineering in school but have taken on responsibilities in areas such as sales, business development and project management. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM Getting workers to upgrade their skills is increasingly important as the economy is transformed by rapid technological advancements. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam is expected to announce, in next Monday's Budget, wide-ranging moves to help the workforce meet the challenges of the future.Comment by Yiming Hu: Authors POVComment by Yiming Hu: Prediction made. However, there is no support for this prediction.Engineering services boss Melvin Tan wants to expand his business but the lack of engineers is forcing him to hire pricey contract labour or take on less qualified staff who need training.Comment by Yiming Hu: A specific exampleComment by Yiming Hu: The issueThe result is more time spent on staff issues while business opportunities are passed over.Comment by Yiming Hu: Resulting effects faced by the company, which cause inefficiency.The dilemma facing Mr Tan, the managing director of Cyclect, is echoed across sectors such as engineering and construction.Several bosses told The Straits Times last week that finding locals with specialised skills in areas such as engineering, software development and life sciences is an uphill task.Comment by Yiming Hu: There is a lack of locals with specialised skills in various areas."The pay for engineers is not bad. But it is not a glamorous job. That is why not many young people are drawn to the field," said Mr Tan.Comment by Yiming Hu: Mr Tans POV : Such jobs are not glamorous, hence the young people are less interested.Employers want the SkillsFuture Council, a national panel set up last year to offer fresh ideas and funds, to get more young people interested in the various fields.Comment by Yiming Hu: The SkillsFuture Council is a Tripartite Council chaired by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Tharman Shanmugaratnamto:Develop an integrated system of education, training and career progression for all Singaporeans,Promote industry support for individuals to advance based on skills, andFoster a culture of lifelong learning.-Tripartite Council: A council involving 3 partieshttp://www.wda.gov.sg/content/wdawebsite/L209-001About-Us/SkillsFuture.htmlThe council, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, has been tasked with developing training and career progression schemes for workers in various industries.Comment by Yiming Hu: The aim that the council want to achieve will help to solve the problem.Mr Tharman is expected to make an announcement on the council's plans in his Budget statement next Monday.

Specialised skills in high demandEmployers said workers with strong technical knowledge are increasingly important as the economy is restructured and becomes more skills-based.Comment by Yiming Hu: Employers POVBut companies are struggling to hire these workers, as not enough students are going into specialised fields at school. Also, younger workers tend not to stay long in their jobs.Comment by Yiming Hu: Issue 1Comment by Yiming Hu: Issue 2"It is challenging enough to get workers with specialised skills. Then some leave in one or two years because they want to try new things," said managing director Grace Yow of Fluidigm Singapore, a manufacturer of genetic analysis equipment.Comment by Yiming Hu: A managing directors POVCompanies in niche sectors have no choice but to train fresh graduates from scratch, as the schools are not equipping them with the skills the industry needs.Yet the time and effort spent on training often comes to nought when workers leave before becoming specialists, said bosses.Mr Jerry Ng, director of electronic devices recycling firm Cimelia Resource Recovery, said new hires in his industry take about six months to pick up the fundamentals.Comment by Yiming Hu: An example of time needed to train fresh employeesHowever, it can take 10 years to get to the top of the field but few stay for the long haul."I can count on my fingers people who have stayed for more than 10 years," said Mr Ng.Comment by Yiming Hu: A directors POV

Attracting and retaining talentMr Tay Cheng Hoo, human resource director of German electronics firm Rohde & Schwarz, said he hopes the SkillsFuture Council can interest students in specialised fields with bond-free scholarships."The students should join us because they are passionate about our work. They should not feel indebted because they are bonded to our companies," added Mr Tay.Comment by Yiming Hu: A Human Resource directors POVFluidigm's Ms Yow said that companies need to work more closely with schools to attract students."Companies should offer structured internships. It is also an opportunity for employers to interest students in what they do," said Ms Yow.Comment by Yiming Hu: Method suggested by Managing Director of Fluidigm Singapore.Firms must also work harder at retaining staff by keeping them interested in the work, said bosses.Cyclect's Mr Tan said: "I give my engineers the opportunity to try new things such as business development and sales. You must think about growing your people."Comment by Yiming Hu: Method suggested by Managing Director of Cyclect.Human resource experts agreed that keeping jobs interesting and challenging is vital for staff retention.Comment by Yiming Hu: Human resource experts POVMs Linda Teo, country manager at recruitment firm ManpowerGroup Singapore, said: "Short overseas stints can enhance the work experience of any employee. Empowering staff to make decisions also helps to keep them engaged."Comment by Yiming Hu: Method suggested by country manager at ManpowerGroup Singapore

Workers want rewarding careersWorkers said they are drawn to firms that are committed to developing them.Comment by Yiming Hu: Workers POVMs Gayle Tan, 32, a chemical engineer by training, said she is loyal to her company Cyclect because her bosses gave her the opportunity to move from engineering to a business development role.Comment by Yiming Hu: A chemical engineers POV (worker)"Having a job which fits our interest is important to younger workers," said Ms Tan.Similarly, Mr Ang Kian Hua, 32, a team leader at precision engineering firm Makino Asia, has stayed with his firm for eight years because of opportunities such as job rotation and skills upgrading programmes.Comment by Yiming Hu: A team leader at precision engineering firms POV (worker)The Institute of Technical Education graduate said: "I want to progress in my career to give my family and me a better life."Comment by Yiming Hu: An ITE graduates POV

Background story- Spearheading skills initiativeA panel of industry and union leaders, as well as government officials, is driving a national effort to ensure that workers gain deep skills.The SkillsFuture Council, set up last September, is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Its members have been appointed for a two-year term.It is working with schools, companies and unions to develop sector-wide pathways for career progression and training programmes.Some initiatives are already under way, such as enhancements to internships in the biologics and construction sectors.Place-and-train programmes in sectors such as retail, food and beverage, logistics and food manufacturing are expected to begin in the middle of this year.Encouraging workers to deepen their skills and knowledge is another focus of the council's work.To this end, a new SkillsFuture Jubilee Fund with a target of $30 million was announced last November.It will offer study awards to workers who want to master their craft.

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