Recently, one of my friend disclosed that he know of an ITE graduate who can earn more than $5000 a month as a Port of Authority Singapore Crane Operator.
He told me that the basic is very low but there is a safety allowance of $1000 and overtime pay if he chooses to work on weekends and at night. If he doesn't commit any errors, the safety allowance is his to keep.
But you must stomach climbing up 7 stories high to reach the crane height and must tolerate the heat and have good urinary bladder control.
I am already almost 40 years old and I know that many jobs will elude me because of my age.
I applied for the job as a PSA Crane Operator on WDA Jobs Bank 2 weeks ago and according to the advertisement, there are 50 vacancies. Click on attached.
2 weeks later, I clicked back and chanced upon that I am rejected. Click on attached.
Incidentally, there are only 6 people who applied to be a crane operator.
I feel that HR should just overlook the fact that applicants have a degree and hire.
Already, there are so few people applying to be a crane operator and PSA HR must try to accomodate Singaporeans degree holders who are willing to downgrade themselves.
If PSA HR continues to reject degree holders to be crane operators, they will appeal and moan to MOM that they just cannot find locals to do the job. In actual fact, there are locals who want to do the job but PSA HR is just too picky.
Many HR departments in Civil Service and Private Sector have this Current Estimated Potential which is a major stumbling block towards the hiring of unemployed middle-aged Singaporeans.
Based on what I know, graduates/ degree holders are subjected to this Current Estimated Potential when it comes to job interviews.
From the HR point of view using Current Estimate Potential, they prefer to hire young fresh graduates so that their age will fit their criteria and groom them onwards towards leadership positions in their organisations.
If you are age 35 and above, you are deem too old to fit into their Current Estimated Potential and may not even be shortlisted for an interview.
Already, there are many graduates who are jobless and have to work as a taxi driver to earn a living. There are just too many graduates in Singapore.
HR should get a reality check and trying to accept the fact that there are degree holders who are willing to downgrade themselves and accept whatever jobs that come in their way.
CJ
TRS Contributor