500 applicants turned up at F&B job fair

ChannelNewsAsia reports that more than 500 applicants turned up at a food and beverage (F&B) job fair organised by North West CDC on Monday.

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.

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.

While there were more than 500 applicants at this 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.

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Office property market slowing in Q2

DTZ reports at the average office occupancy rate for the second quarter of this year saw a dip of 0.2 percentage point.

Office rental prices have also been flat - suggesting that the market is resistant to rising prices.

It said the slide was spurred by tenants seeking cheaper locations when their leases expired.

The report showed that businesses have been looking to alternative locations like business parks, and temporary office locations to tide them over until new office locations open up in 2010. At the moment, business park rentals cost about half, or a third of what can be found in the CBD.

Some companies may find it more cost-effective to stay in these alternative locations, but DTZ believes there will still be demand when the new supply comes on-stream.

Source DTZ via Channelnewsasia.
Image Source via Channelnewsasia.
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Do you work in IT? How does your salary compare?

ZDNet Asia conducted a survey on the Internet between late-2007 and early-2008, to gain insights into Asia’s IT workforce and salary trends.

The best-paying IT jobs are in Hong Kong, followed by Singapore and Thailand.

Here are the findings for Singapore (US$).

IT Management $71,457
Project Management $46,344
Systems Development $35,245
Communication $39,884
Support $32,214

Image Source ZDNetAsia
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625,000 jobs will be created 2008-2010 for Malaysia

During the remaining Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) period from 2008-2010, there will be a total of 625,000 new jobs for professionals, non-skilled and skilled workers. The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department said that they are expecting a high demand for knowledge workers in the coming years. The demand will then be met by improving the quality of education, training, as well as expansion of employment in the business sector.

The plan also include the revision of the wage method, improvements in facilities, and providing better benefits for the local talents. The government will also assess and evaluate existing labor laws and strategies associated with employment.

The contribution of women in the working society will also be increased to 50 percent in 2010 from 46.1 percent in 2007, said EPU.

The good news is, the joblessness rate dropped from 3.5 percent in 2005 to 3.2 percent in 2007 and employment in the country and abroad continues to rise.

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Wages in Singapore at 7yr high

ChannelNewsAsia reports that total wages - basic wages plus bonuses - of private sector employees rose by a seven-year high of 5.9 per cent in 2007, higher than the increase of 4.5 per cent the year before.

MOM's report can be found at this link. The 210-page Report provides information on salaries of over 300 occupations as well as wage changes and bonuses paid in various industries. It also includes information on the extent to which employers have restructured their wage systems.

Image source ChannelNewsAsia.
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Consumer confidence drop in APAC : MasterCard Survey

The MasterCard Worldwide Consumer Confidence Index statistically measures consumer confidence towards the economy, income, stock market, quality of life as well as employment in Asia Pacific. The scaling system is 0 as most pessimistic, 50 neutral and 100 as most optimistic. This is done twice yearly in 13 Asia Pacific Markets.

In the survey, MasterCard found out that optimists in APAC region as a whole, dropped from 69.3 percent in the last quarter of 2007 to 56 percent in the second quarter of 2008. Notable regions are South Korea, Philippines and Thailand with an index score of 23.7 being the most pessimistic.

Primary reason why consumers are greatly affected is because of the unstable financial markets, surging food prices, and credit crunch globally.

Singapore, on the other hand, has the most optimistic attitude for the next six months with an index score of 87.3, followed by HongKong, Vietnam, China, and Taiwan.

Image Source: Dreamstime.com
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MBA programs offer global study opportunities

In Singapore, MBA's are highly desired by working managers. With the development of a global economy, many students are seeking out programmes that offer international study. The UK Financial Times reports that one example of this newer style of MBA is the EMBA, a joint venture between Columbia Business School in New York and London Business School. Hong Kong University Business School will now be included in the EMBA as part of the EMBA Global Asia programme.

This new program will feature courses taught from all three locations, offering a new global perspective. Additionally, students will actually study in all three locations, as well as central Shanghai, China. However, many business schools have found that working with China to set up joint programmes has been extremely difficult and have pulled out.

Other similar EMBA educational programmes include a new teaming of Esade, Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service and McDonough School of Business, a US-Spanish joint project.

Image Source Columbia University.
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Office Rents in Singapore - nearing peak

Straits Times today reported that CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) report said the impact of the United States sub-prime crisis, rising inflation in Singapore and more modest economic growth have dampened the office sector and slowed rent rises.

Rents of top office buildings rose 9.6 per cent in the first half compared with 96.5 per cent in the whole of last year. Such Grade A rents averaged $18.80 psf a month in the second quarter, up from $18.65 in the first period. The vacancy of Grade A space - now 0.6 per cent - will remain tight as no new top-grade office developments will be completed before the second half of next year.

While office rents may have peaked, they will probably stay at the current levels for the next 12 months given tight supply. And the search for lower-cost space continues. There is heightened interest for upcoming space in the Alexandra and Harbourfront areas.

There will be about 10.2 million sq ft of new space coming on stream between now and 2012, with the bulk likely to be ready in 2010 to 2011, said CBRE. About 63 per cent of this will be in Grade A properties in the core downtown area.

Still, the supply should be viewed in context with the strong take-up rate, said CBRE. About 22 per cent of known supply from now to 2012 has already been pre-committed.

Source PropertyHighlightsOfSingapore via Strait Times.
Image Source PYGMY.
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Office / Retail $5.2 billion 41% of year-to-date investment sales

Business Times reported today that total investment sales of Singapore real estate, a gauge of developers' and investors' medium- to long-term confidence in the property sector, have dipped to $3.7 billion so far this quarter (up to June 20), or 58 per cent lower than the Q1 2008 figure of $8.9 billion, according to figures compiled by CB Richard Ellis.

"We'll continue to see the sale of office, retail and industrial income-producing assets and possibly hotels during second-half 2008 but the volume will be lower (than the first half) because of a price mismatch between sellers and buyers."

With tighter bank financing these days, smaller office blocks and industrial or business park buildings costing $20-200 million each are in greater demand among funds. Industrial property is also more in favour now because it offers higher yields than offices and is a better match for these funds' lower risk appetite in the current climate.

Source Business Times via LushHomesOnline.

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35 days course - Eldercare Training Programme is certified by the WDA

Ever had to look after a grandparent; Do you have an elderly person as home? A new course in training older workers on how to care for the elderly has been launched.

The Eldercare Training Programme is certified by the Workforce Development Agency under the Community and Social Services Workforce Skills Qualifications Programme.

The 35-day course will focus on hands-on experience. Participants will also be attached to an old aged home.

Those who are interested can call Hua Mei Training Academy at 6471-7740 or send an email to hmta@tsaofoundation.org.

More at CNA's website.

Image Courtesy of CNA.
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Jorbb.com launches landing page - win iPod Shuffle

Hi all,

Thanks for all the emails, requesting information on what Jorbb.com will be all about.

At the moment, we are finalising some bugs on the site and hope to launch mid July.

In the mean time, we have opened our landing page and would like you to submit your emails so that we can inform you when we have launched. We will be giving away 5 iPod Shuffles.

On launch day, we will be also giving some prizes away for those who sign up on that day so stay tuned (hint - it'll be small, shiny, portable and so so useful).

Mean time, check out http://jorbb.com.

Oh, we are also testing Zopim on our landing page, so don't be surprised if Jorbb sends you a chat request!

Julian Low from Zopim kindly granted us a beta test account. "Zopim is a company incubating under Garag3 from NUS that helps improve your visitors' experience on your website. Their product enables your visitors and clients to stay in touch with you through your website, using the most convenient form of communication, instant messages." - SgEntrepreneurs

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22% of employers concerned with outflow of local talent

Article from Straits Times highlighted that employers worry about brain drain.

One in five (22 per cent) of Singapore employers polled as part of a global survey is concerned about Singaporean talent leaving to work abroad, at a time when many vacancies need to be filled and talent is in short supply.

Within the Asia Pacific, employers in Taiwan were most concerned (64 per cent), while employers in China were least concerned (8 per cent).

The survey of 28,000 employers in 27 countries - done by United States-based employment services agency Manpower - found on average 31 per cent of employers worried about losing local talent to other countries.

Most worried were employers in Peru, Argentina and South Africa, with more than two in three concerned about talent outflow.

Employers in Switzerland and Japan were among the least concerned (12 per cent).

Of the 563 employers surveyed here, those in finance, manufacturing and transportation and utilities were most concerned (32 to 33 per cent), while those in public administration and education were least concerned (6 per cent).

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The Great Singapore ISP Survey - Unofficial

A local blogger has started an online survey using Google Docs Forms function, to gather Singapore ISP subscribers.

Jorbb recently cancelled a 3 year long broadband account and moved to another ISP. Although the advertised speed was the same, the actual surfing (browsing / download / youtubing) experience was a huge improvement, at a lower price (promotion).

It will be interesting to see the results of this survey so submit your speed test results at the jump.

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Social Networking for Business Owners - ZaaBiz

An Australian-based social networking site for business owners and professionals has just been launched.

"Our aim is empower businesses, employees and self-employed to reach their full potential through a business network which is Australian based", said Michael Brecht, the founder, "whether you are looking for a job, an investment opportunity, a business partner or a new employee."

ZaaBiz is free to sign up, but they also have a membership scheme. TechNation Australia has a summary of features:

- Skype Integration - can show Skype status in your profile

- Shows connections from many degrees away (LinkedIn limits to 3 degrees by default)

- You list your "Haves" and "Wants" in your profile - could a matching engine be added for connecting businesses in a barter-like ecosystem?

- Business Groups (like Facebook / LinkedIn) - where like-minded members can connect and create and post to forums. Michael noted a lot of offline/online activity happening in the Groups.

"The focus on business owners and developing presence where LinkedIn and Xing haven't yet developed strong footprints is great. Could they become one of the "big three" professional social networks? LinkedIn - North America, Xing - Europe, ZaaBiz - Asia? With Xing and LinkedIn battling each other head-to-head, they may just have a shot.

Only time and execution will tell."

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Workers vacating their present jobs for greener pastures

Who wouldn’t want to trade their job for bigger and more stable salary? If you just recently graduated with flying colors and found out that there are more opportunities abroad, would you go? If your answer is yes, then you belong to the high percentage of people around the world that would want to leave their present jobs according to survey done by Manpower Inc.

Survey of 31,000 respondents says that 78 percent are willing to move, and 41 percent are willing to be move permanently in. That simply means more than a half of the people participated in the survey wanted to trade their present jobs for a work in any part of the world. A lot of these workers wanted to be relocated in the United States which is their primary choice, followed by United Kingdom, Spain, Australia and Canada. Career advancement plus higher pays are common reasons why they would want to relocate.

There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages though for both employers and employees. Since recruiting people is very easy for employers, they could care less for those people who are servicing them for decades. They should find ways on how to keep their good employees in order to get better workers for them. For employees on the fence, they need to assess first what career path they want. So it could lessen hopping around from one company to another.

Image source: reuters.com

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Has the hiring boom plateaued?

TodayOnline reports that, despite last year's record addition of 235,000 new jobs in Singapore, growing international economic concerns are causing some workers to not see the benefits of employment growth. Unemployment rates and downsizing are starting to rise slightly in July and many are finding that their applications and salaries are being impacted.

Inflation is affecting the actual pay of many, especially those who haven't seen a pay increase in a year or more, and others are finding that they are applying for many positions-with no positive results.

Corporations are being more cautious about adding staff, taking a "wait and see" approach to the economy and taking more time in making their hiring choices.

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Jorbb brings you (Office) Real Estate News

From today, Jorbb will bring you real estate news related to office properties (rental / buying & selling).

We feel that covering this topic may be helpful for start-ups / entrepreneurs looking to rent / buy their own office and investors looking to sell in this bullish market.

Pacific Star recently reported that for the office sector in Singapore, the current demand-supply imbalance is expected to support rents till 2009. Office demand is still firm with leasing agents lamenting the lack of available space rather than a lack of enquiries, although the number of enquiries would have fallen somewhat.’

But an above-normal supply of office space will put pressure on rents from 2010, even if growing demand from the services sector prevents any excessive correction, it said.

Full article in Business Times via LushHomeMedia Blog.

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Increased demands for part time maids - agencies recruiting more staff

Isn’t it stressful to see mountain of dirty laundry, overflowing trash in the garbage can, and piles of dirt? How about seeing it after your frustrating 9-5 job?

Worry no more.. Part-time maids are here! Companies that provide part-time maids for about $15 an hour, is one of the many blooming business in Singapore today. They do the laundry, clean your house, wash the dishes, even take care of your pets—just like what live-in maids normally do but without the hassle of accompanying them in your home and sacrificing your privacy.

Part-time maids are perfect for professionals, even if your single or newlyweds, they’re a must in every household nowadays. It is like servicing your house without the high cost. Just give the spare key to the maid, or let them arrive before you go out, leave some money in the table, and they will do the rest.

And since more and more are turning to get this help, not all company can service the demand of their customers. But of course, to those who would like to get their house serviced by part-timers, they need to be sure that the company is legitimate, and their maids are honest, sincere and reliable.

Some agencies featured in the Straits Times article:
Mrs-sparkles.com.sg
amahsonwheels.com
laundry-maid.com.sg
spicknspan.com

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Mid-year Labour Force Survey on now

The mid-year Labor Force Survey is being conducted from May 23 to July 31, 2008 on 33,000 households by the Manpower Research and Statistics Department of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Primary intention of this survey is to tally information about employment, joblessness, and other important data to help the population on how to plan, and get their desired jobs with the government on their side.

There are ways on how to take part in this survey; first is to wait for the interviewers visit you, or they will call you to conduct interview via telephone. Please take note that the interviewers have their Identification card being issued by the Ministry of Manpower. For those who have Internet access at home they can just access and submit their completed survey forms via the Internet Household Survey System (iHSS) for more secure and suitable way in participating. The people that will take part on this need not to worry since this survey are under the Statistics Act (Chapter 317).

All the information gathered is strictly confidential and solely used for statistics only. If you have doubts regarding the person interviewing you, or any question that arises, you can directly call MOM at (65)64385122 or visit their website at mom.gov.sg.

Image Source Dreamstime.com.

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