More than 500 attend career fair for mature jobseekers
Inclusive Job Fairs at Our Tampines Hub on 04 Apr 2017,photo by Wee Teck Hian
SINGAPORE — For the first time, the labour movement held a job fair catering to mature jobseekers yesterday, offering over 700 jobs from 19 companies spanning the logistics, healthcare, transport, and food and beverage sectors.
Some of the more than 500 jobseekers who turned up for the half-day fair held at Our Tampines Hub welcomed such tailored job fairs, noting that their age has been a barrier in their job search.
The jobs on offer included positions such as logistics supervisor, sales manager, assistant outlet chef, senior guest service executive and staff nurse.
It was jointly organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), North East Community Development Council and Our Tampines Hub.
Mr Shaun Ee, head of group human resources from Commonwealth Capital, an investment holding company which took part in the fair, noted that mature workers bring to the table “a wealth of experience”, which can be tapped by younger colleagues.
Twenty-five per cent of the workforce in the company, which handles an extensive F&B portfolio that includes cafes and restaurants, consists of mature workers aged 40 and above.
Mr Ee said: “(Having mature workers) forges a sense of family and belonging at the restaurants … This translates into business results as our staff are happy to serve customers.”
NTUC Health, which offered positions such as care assistants at the fair, sought to reassure mature jobseekers that they will be provided with training and will be given flexible arrangements, said Ms Joanna Pee, its assistant manager for recruitment.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, labour Member of Parliament Desmond Choo (Tampines GRC) noted that a “curated” mix of jobs at such job fairs can better help older workers who are struggling to find jobs in a sluggish economy, which is also undergoing restructuring.
Despite the pledges of support voiced by employers at the fair, some mature jobseekers told TODAY that age continues to be a barrier for many of them when it comes to finding new employment.
George (not his real name), who is in his 60s, had worked in the IT sector for over 30 years when he was told that his contract would not be renewed.
Despite a year of submitting over 100 job applications, George often did not get any response from potential employers. In fact, he only got called up when he did not include his age in his cover letter.
“I still feel that I can contribute … But when (speaking to HR), the question about my age will always crop up,” said George.
Mr Khairul Anuar Biamin, 48, who was retrenched from his logistics job last August, said he had been applying through job portals, but to no avail.
“At this age, it’s just very difficult to find a job,” said Mr Khairul, who is now working as a Grab driver.
About 42 per cent of the jobseekers who attended yesterday’s fair were aged 50 and above. Of that age group, about 40 per cent are currently unemployed. About 150 jobseekers were shortlisted or offered a job at the fair.
