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More foreign grads turn to job-search scheme
More applying for pass that allows stay of up to a year, say agencies
By Elizabeth Soh & Amanda Tan
FOR the past two years, Filipino IT engineer Vincent Majellan had been trying unsuccessfully to look for a job in Singapore - by coming here twice on a visit pass.
In February this year, he was told by friends that he could try another method: Apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec), which allows foreign university graduates like him to stay here for up to a year while looking for a job.
Within three months of arriving here on the Epec, the 40-year-old - who has a computer science degree from De La Salle University in the Philippines - landed a job as an IT manager with a local bank and now holds an employment pass (EP) here.
'The employment agency said holding an Epec would really increase my chances of finding a job, as employers see it as more credible,' said Mr Majellan, who has five years of experience working as an IT officer in Dubai.
In the past year, more foreigners like him are turning to the Epec scheme offered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), said employment agencies.
A possible reason, said some agencies, is that it buys them more time for job-hunting amid stricter manpower rules regulating the inflow of foreigners working here.
Previously, some might choose to come here on a visit pass - which allows them to stay up to 90 days - to look for a job. But with the more stringent rules which took effect this year, it may take them longer to land a job.
Ten out of 15 agencies polled by The Straits Times said they have seen an increase of about 50 per cent in inquiries made about the Epec in the past year.
'We are definitely getting more inquiries about it,' said a consultant from corporate solutions company Rikvin, which handles about 20 such applications a year. It has seen an increase of 20 per cent in overseas inquiries.
Although the scheme was launched way back in 1992, it is not as widely known as other passes - such as the EP meant for professionals who earn $2,500 and more, or the S-Pass for mid-level skilled workers who are paid at least $1,800.
MOM declined to give details on the number of Epecs approved. It would say only that take-up rate 'has been consistent since the scheme was introduced in 1992'.
To be eligible for the Epec, applicants must be graduates from any of the close to 700 universities on MOM's approved list, among other requirements.
Agencies observed that the scheme has become more popular in the past year - especially among foreign graduates from the less-known universities - as the MOM tightened requirements for certain work passes, such as the S-Pass.
While Epec holders typically gear for EP jobs, they sometimes also settle for the S-Pass if the company cannot pay them on a higher scale.
'With the influx of foreigners wanting to work here, it makes it harder for them to find a job so quickly. Having the Epec gives them a year and more time to sustain their job search,' said Mr Josh Goh, assistant director of corporate services at recruitment agency The GMP Group.
'People are also more aware of the Epec via word-of-mouth.'
According to agencies interviewed by The Straits Times, the typical profile of an Epec applicant is a male graduate in his late 20s to late 30s from South Asia and the Philippines.
They usually hold degrees in IT, engineering or accountancy and have at least three to five years of job experience in those areas. They usually look for jobs in sectors such as engineering, IT, banking and retail.
The scheme has also attracted foreign students enrolled in private schools here. Some students from China said they were told about the Epec when they came to Singapore to enrol in private degree courses.
'I was told by certain private schools that if I enrolled in their courses, upon graduation I could apply for and receive a special pass that would help me find work in Singapore,' said Mr Alex Hsu, a business graduate from the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).
The 26-year-old from Shanghai successfully applied for an Epec after he graduated from SIM this year. He is still looking for a job.
Agencies said some foreigners also prefer to apply for an Epec because they are more likely to get an EP - instead of an S-Pass - if they manage to clinch a job here.
According to the MOM, eligible applicants are generally from the 'more established' institutions and they are 'likely to qualify for an employment pass upon securing employment in Singapore'.
Said business development manager Sunil Srinivasan from Sri Lanka: 'I think that when I tell employers I hold an Epec, they will know I am probably already qualified and verified.'
The 38-year-old, who has degrees in mathematics and statistics from the University of Colombo, found out about the pass on MOM's website and applied for it there.
Some employers also appear to prefer Epec holders, said Mr Dennis Cabasal, press manager at employment consultancy SM Asia.
He said: 'They are deemed to have already gone through one round of 'checks' by MOM.'
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More applying for pass that allows stay of up to a year, say agencies
By Elizabeth Soh & Amanda Tan
FOR the past two years, Filipino IT engineer Vincent Majellan had been trying unsuccessfully to look for a job in Singapore - by coming here twice on a visit pass.
In February this year, he was told by friends that he could try another method: Apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (Epec), which allows foreign university graduates like him to stay here for up to a year while looking for a job.
Within three months of arriving here on the Epec, the 40-year-old - who has a computer science degree from De La Salle University in the Philippines - landed a job as an IT manager with a local bank and now holds an employment pass (EP) here.
'The employment agency said holding an Epec would really increase my chances of finding a job, as employers see it as more credible,' said Mr Majellan, who has five years of experience working as an IT officer in Dubai.
In the past year, more foreigners like him are turning to the Epec scheme offered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), said employment agencies.
A possible reason, said some agencies, is that it buys them more time for job-hunting amid stricter manpower rules regulating the inflow of foreigners working here.
Previously, some might choose to come here on a visit pass - which allows them to stay up to 90 days - to look for a job. But with the more stringent rules which took effect this year, it may take them longer to land a job.
Ten out of 15 agencies polled by The Straits Times said they have seen an increase of about 50 per cent in inquiries made about the Epec in the past year.
'We are definitely getting more inquiries about it,' said a consultant from corporate solutions company Rikvin, which handles about 20 such applications a year. It has seen an increase of 20 per cent in overseas inquiries.
Although the scheme was launched way back in 1992, it is not as widely known as other passes - such as the EP meant for professionals who earn $2,500 and more, or the S-Pass for mid-level skilled workers who are paid at least $1,800.
MOM declined to give details on the number of Epecs approved. It would say only that take-up rate 'has been consistent since the scheme was introduced in 1992'.
To be eligible for the Epec, applicants must be graduates from any of the close to 700 universities on MOM's approved list, among other requirements.
Agencies observed that the scheme has become more popular in the past year - especially among foreign graduates from the less-known universities - as the MOM tightened requirements for certain work passes, such as the S-Pass.
While Epec holders typically gear for EP jobs, they sometimes also settle for the S-Pass if the company cannot pay them on a higher scale.
'With the influx of foreigners wanting to work here, it makes it harder for them to find a job so quickly. Having the Epec gives them a year and more time to sustain their job search,' said Mr Josh Goh, assistant director of corporate services at recruitment agency The GMP Group.
'People are also more aware of the Epec via word-of-mouth.'
According to agencies interviewed by The Straits Times, the typical profile of an Epec applicant is a male graduate in his late 20s to late 30s from South Asia and the Philippines.
They usually hold degrees in IT, engineering or accountancy and have at least three to five years of job experience in those areas. They usually look for jobs in sectors such as engineering, IT, banking and retail.
The scheme has also attracted foreign students enrolled in private schools here. Some students from China said they were told about the Epec when they came to Singapore to enrol in private degree courses.
'I was told by certain private schools that if I enrolled in their courses, upon graduation I could apply for and receive a special pass that would help me find work in Singapore,' said Mr Alex Hsu, a business graduate from the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM).
The 26-year-old from Shanghai successfully applied for an Epec after he graduated from SIM this year. He is still looking for a job.
Agencies said some foreigners also prefer to apply for an Epec because they are more likely to get an EP - instead of an S-Pass - if they manage to clinch a job here.
According to the MOM, eligible applicants are generally from the 'more established' institutions and they are 'likely to qualify for an employment pass upon securing employment in Singapore'.
Said business development manager Sunil Srinivasan from Sri Lanka: 'I think that when I tell employers I hold an Epec, they will know I am probably already qualified and verified.'
The 38-year-old, who has degrees in mathematics and statistics from the University of Colombo, found out about the pass on MOM's website and applied for it there.
Some employers also appear to prefer Epec holders, said Mr Dennis Cabasal, press manager at employment consultancy SM Asia.
He said: 'They are deemed to have already gone through one round of 'checks' by MOM.'
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