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The government of Singapore is an ambitious one, hoping to increase the population to 6.5 million, up from the current 4.5 million. They welcome immigrants, especially professional educated individuals, as well as encouraging the nation’s citizenry to breed, baby, breed. They’ve also just revealed a forward-thinking option to encourage visiting foreigners to get jobs and stay in the country for six months.
From “Work-on-holiday plan to draw foreign talent” by Li Xueying in the 19 May 2007 edition of The Straits Times (electronic version locked behind a subscription wall):
Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen yesterday announced the scheme, called the “Work Holiday Programme” (WHP), which will begin from Dec 1.
It is open to undergraduates and graduates between the ages of 17 and 30 from universities in eight economies — Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.
The programme essentially allows any of these young people on holiday here to look for a job and stay on for six months.
[...]
“A positive experience of living and working in Singapore would encourage some of them to work here when they graduate, or at a later stage of their careers.”
Speaking at a ceremony for new doctors, Dr Ng said that in the global race for talent, there is a need to “poitively shape international opinion of Singapore and raise our profile.”
The WHP pass will not restrict its holder to any specific type of work or a minimum salary requirement.
This is in contrast to, say, the Employment Pass (EP) which requires a foreigner to have a fixed monthly salary of at least S$2,500 and an acceptable degree, professional qualification or specialist skills.
WHP holders must, however, be able to support themselves during their stay here and show proof of exit after six months.
Part of the Vagabonding ethic is being able to take off a large chunk of time for travel, and a good way to support yourself in-country is by working there. This could take the form of waiting tables, or construction work, or teaching English, but with a six-month window, the possibilities expand dramatically. (Plus, Singapore is an ideal jumping-off point for travel to Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, India, Australia, Indonesia, and the many other countries in the region.)
This is also a very progressive move, in that there’s no immediate pay-off. The government is banking on the fact that foreign visitors will be so wowed by Singapore’s allure during their time here that they’ll want to come back sometime later; I know I was, and did. It’s a very long-tail approach to foreign recruitment, and I’m interested to see in the years ahead how successful it will be.
More information about the Work Holiday Programme can be found at Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower website.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:00 am
One thing I appreciate about the government in Singapore (having moved here two years ago), is that they are very good at forward planning.
I read somewhere that the 6.5 million population target is a 50-year target… and they’re already working out the land use and transportation logistics that need to be in place to support that! Amazing.
September 15th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am looking for any jobs available at the moment,I would like to thank anyone who be the great help.
Thanks & Kind regards,
Marsel
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:29 am
Dear Sir, I am looking for a job in singapore from the past six monthsbut i didnt get any link or source. kindly help me .
April 8th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Sir/mam
I want to get work permit for Singapore. My need to know the exactly procedure for the same & about expenses too. Now I am working with a European MNC as engineer (mech. Designing/ autocad and solidworks). And what if I’ll get work permit of Singapore then can stay in Malaysia. And after how longer, I will get PR.
I shall be very thankful to the person, who will be helping me.
Regards
Manpreet Singh
April 15th, 2008 at 7:25 am
dear sir,
i want a job in any hospital or any privat clinic which the respective field of job .
u can send some of the required quaries in e mail.
my self. Dr.mritunjay.kr. pandey(mbbs(am)kolkata,specilist in phy-therapy)
April 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I am a Nigerian medical student studying in Ukraine.And I want to come oer to singapore for a three month summer job. Would it be posible for me?
May 17th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Dear Sir, I am teacherlooking for a job in singapore for about 2 years now without headway.will really like to have singapore experience. I want a link please.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
hi!im from brazil,i want working in singapore,my wife she are filipina already working there,i want to goin there and stay together of her,but dont have working not yet.thank you!
June 5th, 2008 at 3:21 am
I have been looking a job in Singapore. I have vast experience in insurance industry and CII, London Cert.qualified.
Will you please help me find a job and tell me the legal procedure for obtaining a work-permit.
Thank you.
MUHAMMAD JAWED
KARACHI - PAKISTAN
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I am living in nigeria i want to visit my friend living in singapore,will someone help me out please
August 6th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I want a job of .net developer and i have 3+ years experience. thanks
August 8th, 2008 at 2:24 am
I am an Civil engineer and 9 years working in Sri lankan goverment projects . Would you mind helping me to come to Singapore to do a civil engineering job.I like to work as a tranee engineer about 6 months.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am looking for the job in SG while I am still working now in Thailand as the Export Manager of the personal care manufacturer here. Before, I had worked for 8 years in the industrial business as the Sales & Marketing Manager.
If you seek for the Sales & Marketing person, kindly contact me and so I can pass my CV shortly.
Thank you in advance.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Dear sir/madam,
I am a fresh engineering graduate from india, i too finished Microsoft .Net Framework certification course, which is very valuable in Singapore.I am looking for a IT job in Singapore for the past six months, but i am not able to get.Iam helpless, Please help me.
thank you
September 18th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Dear all,
I am Thai undergraduated but iwill graduated next years on May.
while im studying i also working as a recruitment team.
btw, i have a chance to travel in SG for a few days.
i had a great time there and would love to work there.
I can do everything(waitress, work in sentosa, jurong park)
i can do anything if u just give me a chance
Please help me out
Thanks you,
Pan
October 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I am a Filipino national seeking for an Singaporean or any employer-sponsored work visa offering the pathway for migration to or permanent residency in Singapore. I am civil engineer propessional with twenty five years [25] experience in that related field.
please help me to find me a full time job in singapore.
thank u very much
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:21 am
Try these Singapore websites:
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg
http://www.jobstreet.com.sg
For lowly-skilled jobs in construction and retail industries, work permits can be applied for easily, as most Singaporeans do not wish to do these jobs. For other industries, priority are given to locals and permanent residents, and those who have received tertiary education here. Some jobs are opened to foreigners, you just have to email the job agents/companies for more information.
Hope these info helps.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Hi.
I want a lowly skill job in construction or retail industries.
how will I get the permit to work in singapore
November 12th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
DearSir/Madam,I wish to work in Singapore with any type
of Job in Collections/Salesof Banking Products.
or any other suitable
I aman 33yrs a University graduatein Economics.
Please guidemeEmployer sponsoredjob/WorkPermitoverthere.
Thanx
Maneet
Dubai
November 21st, 2008 at 4:29 am
Sir,
I am presently working in Singapore. My agreement with the company has
been completed. Now i require a job immediately. I am a post graduate in
commerce and working in Accounts & Administration. Could u please give me
the contact no.s, email of the Job agents and companies.
Thank you
November 21st, 2008 at 10:01 am
can u give information of job opportunities
in singapore in logistics
November 29th, 2008 at 6:49 am
The WHP pass is ridiculous. I’ve met more than 10 agents, and all tell me that because I’m not a Singaporean/PR, “jobs will be difficult for me”. I’m just sitting at home without a job even after 2 weeks that I’m back in Singapore, despite me chucking resumes out. If I wanted to work for $5 an hour at a supermarket, then I would have stayed in Australia!