AUG. 28–SINGAPORE–ABOUT 7,500 jobs will open up in the manufacturing sector in the next six months, about double the number for the whole of last year.
Of these new positions, 60 percent are in the electronics and related industries, which account for 47 percent, or 100,000 workers of the total trade. The remaining jobs are in such industries as chemicals, biomedical sciences, logistics and transport, and info-communications and media.
The number of job vacancies, cited by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Hsien Loong in The Strait Times, comes from an Economic Development Board survey of 80 companies in the manufacturing sector.
A further breakdown of the figures shows that the majority of the jobs, about 65 per cent, are for production operators. Around 20 per cent are for technicians and the remaining 15 per cent are for professionals.
This bumper crop of job vacancies, together with the 4,554 openings in the first quarter of this year, is a marked improvement on last year, when there were just 3,877 new jobs in the sector for the whole year.
The turnaround follows a recent rebound in manufacturing output.
But Mr Lee said manufacturing companies still found it tough to fill vacancies.
He rattled off a list of reasons given by workers for not taking up the
offers: too far to travel, poor working conditions, shift work, or the need to wear clearoom attire.
One company facing problems is STMicroelectronics, which needs production operators and engineers for its wafer fabrication operations.
Its spokesman told The Straits Times: ‘It’s hard to find local workers for the positions as many say they don’t want to do shifts or work in a clean-room environment.
“Some also don’t like the idea of handling chemicals, although it is safe.”
Now, the company is working with unions and setting up booths in community centers.
“We want to better explain to workers what the job entails and allay any fears they have,” she said.
Urging workers to take on jobs in the manufacturing sector, Mr Lee reiterated that they should be “more flexible” and “less picky.”
He then turned to the challenges facing the manufacturing sector, particularly the electronics industry.
Speaking to about 200 union leaders from the United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries during their general convention of delegates yesterday morning, he outlined four ways for Singapore to continue to be a major player in electronics.
First, companies have to go beyond making electronic gadgets, to designing and inventing them, he said, citing Hewlett Packard’s Inkjet printer and Seagate’s hard disk drives as good examples.
Next, Singapore should work closely with neighbors. An example is the current co-operation with Batam and Bintan, which have ample land and low-cost workers.
He called Singapore’s expertise in engineering, design, logistics and design control “a powerful combination.”
Thirdly, companies should leverage on China’s growth. Lastly, the Government would continue pursuing sound economic policies to strengthen competitiveness.