Offer those jobs to local, middle-aged engineers as well

[metalslug]

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_569593.html

Aug 23, 2010
Offer those jobs to local, middle-aged engineers as well

I REFER to the report ('Factory sector 'needs young Singaporeans''; Aug 15).

I agree with Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang that young Singaporeans should consider working in our manufacturing industry as technicians and engineers. These jobs are currently filled by foreigners.

However, such jobs should also be made available to the jobless middle-aged graduates who have encountered difficulties getting re- employed.

Many middle-aged engineers who were retrenched from the semiconductor industry two years ago still have not found suitable work. Some have taken up cab driving or have become property or insurance agents to get by.

Most have suffered drastic pay cuts resulting in a lowering of their lifestyle standards as they venture into totally different fields.

Middle-aged engineers who are fit and healthy should consider such jobs or their skills will atrophy. This group almost certainly will face under-employment as they strive in other sectors to make ends meet.

Though I applaud Mr Lim's appeal for younger Singaporeans to venture into manufacturing, there is not enough legislation to ensure that employers will hire local engineers as this industry has virtually depended on foreigners.

Gilbert

 

[manokie]

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_569593.html
Many middle-aged engineers who were retrenched from the semiconductor industry two years ago still have not found suitable work. Some have taken up cab driving or have become property or insurance agents to get by.

I actually know a lot of them

Almost half of them divorced not long after they were sacked. Families were broken because they were living the high life without planning for the future. Whose fault?

A couple managed to find jobs in the civil sector. The rest are just doing things on their own. About 10% get rehired in the semiconductor area.

Cannot blame the market or companies.

These engineers don't have very unique/desirable skillsets to begin with. Any FT can easily replace with some training.

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

I actually know a lot of them

Almost half of them divorced not long after they were sacked. Families were broken because they were living the high life without planning for the future. Whose fault?

By any chance, is Krafty one of them ?

 

[kingrant]

Past grad engineers who joined manufacturing have had their future blighted, as in Seagate, CSM, Apple, TI, and countless plants which have closed and moved to China.

The only grad engineers who still have it good and are still being highly paid are people like Ho Ching, SAF scholars who held (like Hng Kiang himself, or LHL) or holding BG ranks, NOL, and GLCs in general.

Manufacturing engineers - esp in electronics or semi-con industry-have no future! Stick to accountancy, civil engineering or medicine.