The National Jobs Bank plans to transform itself into a 24/7 online marketplace for jobseekers and employers, according to an announcement made by Minister of Manpower, Lim Swee Say in the Parliament. The soon to be launched online platform aims to bring together both employers and “active and passive” jobseekers to connect and discuss opportunities.
While details remain sketchy at this point in time and no timeline has been set for the launch of the revamped platform. The Skills framework outlined for different sectors of the Singaporean economy, detailing skill requirements, career pathways and training programmes will be a part of this portal. As yet, the framework for early childhood care and education, and hotel and accommodation services has been unveiled. More sectors will soon be added to the list.
Jobseekers and those with poor industry prospects can tap into the framework as they contemplate new careers, Lim added. “Job seekers will be able to explore new career opportunities and conduct job searches anytime, anywhere without having to wait for the next job fair.” These can be young graduates, mid-level professionals or mature workers looking to scale higher ranks in their career.
This 24/7 online marketplace would be similar to other virtual career fairs that the government agencies are exploring. Piloting last month, Workforce Singapore, previously known as the Singapore Workforce Development Agency organised a two-week virtual career fair that could link potential jobseekers with the employers and chat online to discuss career prospects and job opportunities.
More than 50 employers, offering 500 vacancies across the Infocomm technology, Aerospace, Biomedical Sciences and Professional Services sectors actively participated in the fair. Trialed in May 2014, the National Jobs Bank was set up as a part of the Fair Consideration Framework, which requires employers with businesses of more than 25 people to post job vacancies on the website for at least 14 days before applying for an Employment Pass.
Till date, about 180,000 individuals have used the portal and about 25,700 employers are registered on it, Today Online reports. Currently, there are 60,000 active job listings and some 7,000 job applications are submitted daily. Advertising in the marketplace will be compulsory for employers before they can open vacancies to foreigners.
Meanwhile, in the first eight months of this year, Workforce Singapore and theEmployment and Employability Institute helped 20,000 job seekers.
Successful job placements were also 20 per cent higher than the same period last year. Rank-and-file workers made up 55 per cent, while the rest were professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs). Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) to help PMETs will also increase from 22 to more than 50 by year-end. Lim said, the portal has been very useful in helping managers, PMETs and jobseekers find jobs.
