Employment Pass without tertiary qualifications?

[Miss Swan]

Quick question to the experienced local expats. My husband (Australian), has just been offered a position as Sales Manager in an auto parts company in Singapore. He'd met the company owner a year ago and the owner was so impressed with my husband's knowledge of auto parts that he wants him to work for him.

The only catch here is my husband doesn't have a degree. At best, he holds a Year 12 qualification (the equivalent of high school in Singapore, between 'O' and 'A' Levels in local terms).

The owner is looking into sponsorship but I haven't got a clue how this sponsorship thing works, and whether it is really possible. My concerns stem from the fact that SG seems to be a very paper driven country. Experience wise, my husband doesn't have decades of sales experience. He's just very good with upselling and perform very well in auto sales.

What are his chances of landing an employment pass (I've gone through the MOM website...I daresay we're looking at Q1?)

Thanks for all the advice!

[bro75]

At some salary level (8K plus?), I believe that MOM is more flexible about giving passes to non-degree holders. At lower levels of salary, it is more difficult to obtain an employment pass for non-degree holders but it is not impossible. I personally know a few non-graduates on employment passes. You can try the MOM self assessment test as a guide.

[Miss Swan]

Thank you bro75 for that reply. My bad it ought to be P2. $8000 would be VERY generous for an automotive sales manager lol.

It isn't very easy to use the self assessment tool especially when it doesn't list my husband's school.

[nutnut]

I know a number of people with similar or lesser educational qualifications, however, all of them are above $8K salary and >8 years experience in their fields. It's worth trying though.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Quick question to the experienced local expats. My husband (Australian), has just been offered a position as Sales Manager in an auto parts company in Singapore. He'd met the company owner a year ago and the owner was so impressed with my husband's knowledge of auto parts that he wants him to work for him.

The only catch here is my husband doesn't have a degree. At best, he holds a Year 12 qualification (the equivalent of high school in Singapore, between 'O' and 'A' Levels in local terms).

The owner is looking into sponsorship but I haven't got a clue how this sponsorship thing works, and whether it is really possible. My concerns stem from the fact that SG seems to be a very paper driven country. Experience wise, my husband doesn't have decades of sales experience. He's just very good with upselling and perform very well in auto sales.

What are his chances of landing an employment pass (I've gone through the MOM website...I daresay we're looking at Q1?)

Thanks for all the advice!

If we were back in the 80's & early 90's I say his chances would be pretty fair. But if he had to do it today, I surely wouldn't hold my breath. I was on an EP 2x with two companies back in the 80's & 90's, but it's only because I'm a PR today on family ties scheme, that I don't have to worry about the lack of a tertiary education. It's rare, unless it in a niche area where it is unlikely that a local will have the required expertise. As a Sales Manager, I, honestly, don't see it happening. Wish him luck though. Been there and done that.

[gailwynand]

Wouldn't this be more of an S Pass kind of situation?

[Miss Swan]

Thank you all! I thought it wouldn't be that easy to score an EP based on the tightening migration laws. Knowing how anal the government gets with paper qualifications, I doubt my hubby will pull through the application with his senior certificate, which also happened to have disappeared along with the QLD floods lol.

I don't suppose there's any penalty for trying to put in an application hey? Save for that $70 application fee.

[x9200]

No, no penalty so it's worth to try but what I remember and see from your previous threads you are a SC. How long are you married at this point? If for more than 2 years give it a try and apply for him for LTVP+.

[Miss Swan]

Hi, I'm back with a few more questions. The company owner suggested (well strongly recommended) that my husband should try and get a Diploma qualification. He's looking into distance learning now from a recognised training institution in Australia.

I gave the Self Assessment Tool a go, and it turns out that my husband would not qualify for an EP, simply due to to the fact that his diploma will not come from a top-ranked university. He will have to fall under the S Pass, rightly pointed out by gailwynand. Here's my question - the S Pass seems more suited for Indians/PRCs/Malaysians. Would it be odd for an Australian to apply for this pass? What are the chances of MOM putting it through?

[Miss Swan]

[quote="x9200"How long are you married at this point? If for more than 2 years give it a try and apply for him for LTVP+.[/quote]

Thank you for that tip! LTVP didn't even cross my mind but no, he wouldn't qualify either. We're only coming up to the 2-year mark in 3 months.

[beppi]

Distance learning certificates are generally not recognised by MoM.

[the lynx]

Hi, I'm back with a few more questions. The company owner suggested (well strongly recommended) that my husband should try and get a Diploma qualification. He's looking into distance learning now from a recognised training institution in Australia.

I gave the Self Assessment Tool a go, and it turns out that my husband would not qualify for an EP, simply due to to the fact that his diploma will not come from a top-ranked university. He will have to fall under the S Pass, rightly pointed out by gailwynand. Here's my question - the S Pass seems more suited for Indians/PRCs/Malaysians. Would it be odd for an Australian to apply for this pass? What are the chances of MOM putting it through?

Actually you would be surprised to know that many different nationalities hold S Pass. This is where the stereotype gets perceived that only people from developing countries hold S Pass while people from first world countries hold EP.

For example, there are British junior architects, Australian construction technical, American interns (we are talking about internships that last more than 3 months) etc, regardless of salary earned.