SINGAPORE : More than 500 applicants turned up at a food and beverage (F&B) job fair organised by North West CDC on Monday.

They learnt that those starting out in their jobs can expect their pay to range from S$900 to S$1,200 a month.

The Job Fair @ North West for the F&B industry offered more than 900 job vacancies in the industry. It is one of the largest F&B job fairs offered by a Community Development Council (CDC).

Prior to this fair, 17 job seekers underwent a five-day preparation course. The course caters to those who have not completed their "O" levels or are older workers.

The job preparation package, called "GOING F&B - The Service Way", was conducted from June 23 to 27. It was targeted at those whose educational qualification is below "O" levels, but who aspire to join the F&B industry.

Yap Ai Ngor, a 58-year-old course participant, said: "Nowadays, production line (jobs are) fast-paced. So they think that (those around) our age might not suit this type of job. So it's better to do F&B (jobs)."

Muhd Nizar, a 22-year-old course participant, said: "Ever since I (went) through (the) course... I feel even more positive and confident. And (I have) the drive to go on."

Ten employers from the F&B industry took part in North West CDC's job fair.

Some of them said they will face an even greater shortage of workers when the upcoming integrated resort opens in Sentosa. But they hope to attract applicants to an industry where there is a flexible career path.

Low Chong Kien, Management Trainee, Human Resource, R E & S Enterprises (Ichiban Sushi), said: "I think it started out as being seen as a career path that you can go into to expand, to rise up - not like banking or even those administrative fields, where there is an established career path."

While there were more than 500 applicants at the job fair, not all were hired on the spot. The North West CDC said this is because most of the companies plan to conduct a second round of interviews with the applicants. - CNA/ms