Jobs in Singapore For Which Foreigners Can Probably Get an Employment Pass

[Strong Eagle]

If you've ever read any of my posts, you know I that pretty consistently say that foreigners coming to Singapore to try and find a job will be very disappointed. Almost nobody gets an EP coming in cold without a transfer.

However, I have found one exception. Singapore is a premier global hub for aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), commanding about 10% of the global aircraft MRO market and 19% of engine MRO work, with over 130 aerospace companies performing the work.

They always have a shortage of qualified airplane mechanics and offer bonuses, relocation, and EP's. If you are a qualified airplane mechanic and hold A&P certification, you can probably get a job in Singapore without too much hassle.

Let me be clear: you need your Airframe and Powerplant certification in order to get hired. But if you have this, employment in Singapore is a real possibility.

[Max Headroom]

In other words, Thunderbirds are go!

[PNGMK]

If you've ever read any of my posts, you know I that pretty consistently say that foreigners coming to Singapore to try and find a job will be very disappointed. Almost nobody gets an EP coming in cold without a transfer.

However, I have found one exception. Singapore is a premier global hub for aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), commanding about 10% of the global aircraft MRO market and 19% of engine MRO work, with over 130 aerospace companies performing the work.

They always have a shortage of qualified airplane mechanics and offer bonuses, relocation, and EP's. If you are a qualified airplane mechanic and hold A&P certification, you can probably get a job in Singapore without too much hassle.

Let me be clear: you need your Airframe and Powerplant certification in order to get hired. But if you have this, employment in Singapore is a real possibility.

The pay is pretty poor however I did have a friend out here for Delta as a heavy mechanic from the USA for a few years

[xenirox]

That matches what I’ve heard, demand is there but the pay often doesn’t match expectations compared to the US. Do you know if the lower salary is offset at all by housing or relocation packages?

[malcontent]

At one time my employer hired dozens of Filipino mechanics to work at a remanufacturing plant they had set up in Singapore. It was set up in Singapore due to Indonesia restricting import of “used” material and the incentives from the government making it a fairly attractive proposition. The Filipinos got a local salary of around S$3k monthly, and also got a housing stipend, but that was about it. The operation only lasted for a few years and I believe they found them jobs at our distributors around the region who were happy to get them.

The vast majority of blue collar jobs in Singapore are low paid and the only takers are from poor countries in the region who appreciate the pay relative to what they can earn back in their home country. They don’t live, they just exist in Singapore and remit most of their money back to their families, and then go back when they can.

White collar jobs are a different animal. For these jobs you are competing with locals. For junior levels, locals typically live with their parents, which keeps entry level salaries low, but there is a steep curve upward… after 3-4 promotions, your salary can double.

I still remember my first salary in Singapore was exactly $2372 back in 1996, as a nearly fresh grad. I was extremely fortunate to get any job, but it was not easy, my EP was rejected, and my first appeal was also rejected, but the second (and last) appeal was approved after my company went down to MOM and argued my case. In total, I was not working for 9 months: 4 on SVP and 5 on EP processing extensions. I had exhausted all of my savings and my return flight had long expired.

I don’t think what I did is recommended or practical… in fact, it would be a lot harder to pull off today than it was back then (maybe impossible).

[malcontent]

I asked my daughter last weekend if she thought she would ever move back to Singapore and she said yes… but she is not in a hurry, she sees how getting experience in the U.S. first is valuable. Not only better pay, but better experience — then she can return to Singapore in a higher position where salaries are more globally competitive… even better if she can get some added expat benefits. I think that is the best way for her to play it. She hasn’t even graduated and is already talking about retiring early and joining the FIRE movement… kids these days!