Moving to Singapore to work as technician in petrochemical industry realistic?

[Che777]

Hello,

I keep it as short as possible: I am 28 years old and have been working as a chemical technician in Germany for around 3 years. I have a certification by a german educational institute that I am a certified chemical technician. It is not a university degree. My job here involves supervising chemical manufacturing processes and operate as a technician. It is definitely a blue collar job but anyways also here big companies here (like BASF, Bayer) require a certification/qualification to work in that position.

Do you think I can find a job like that in Singapore?
I have found job advertisements that match me but I’m not sure if an employer would go through that employment Pass to hire me because it is not a ‚high skilled‘ position like manager or banker.

Where should I start? Should I find a recruitment agency or apply directly to a company?
Maybe you have some tips for me.

Is my plan even realistic or are there maybe some problems I don’t know about yet like no demand, only citizens etc.


Thank you in advance

[PNGMK]

No. No chance. This is a field dominated by locals and Malaysians. Even if you found a job the wage would be too low to be liveable or the MOM won't issue a work pass for a foreigner.

There are FIVE local polytechs pumping out technicians every 6 months. There is no lack of qualified techs here for this work.

[Che777]

No. No chance. This is a field dominated by locals and Malaysians. Even if you found a job the wage would be too low to be liveable or the MOM won't issue a work pass for a foreigner.

There are FIVE local polytechs pumping out technicians every 6 months. There is no lack of qualified techs here for this work.

So I guess I can forget about that?

What do you think would be the wage? Because you say it's too little to live by.

I put quit some hope into this idea so your answer is very discouraging to me

But better that I know the truth than having wrong hopes.



From what I read so far, seems that I will be constantly discriminated as a immigrant worker..
Would I ever have a chance to get a PR?

[PNGMK]

just above s pass level so they can hire Malaysians. 2.5 to 3.5 k per month. Pauper's wages.

you need to be on an EP to get a PR but the chances are low unless you are chinese race.

[Max Headroom]

Che, I'm afraid it's true, it's become a fair bit harder to get any kind of long-term permit to stay in Singapore. This applies even more now during the Covid era of course.

That said, you're odds are likely to improve after you've climbed a few career rungs, so why not make it a 5 year plan?

Incidentally, can I ask, what is it that draws you to Singapore? Why Singapore?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Probably yellow fever. I caught it once in 1966 got over it by the end of 67. Had a relapse in '82 and still haven't gotten rid of it this time. I've been told it's terminal this time.

Mal knows what I'm talkin' 'bout!

[Che777]

you need to be on an EP to get a PR but the chances are low unless you are chinese race.

No, I am white European


Well, ok. Thanks for your answers.
I thought I could give it a chance but as I see I'm not welcome there.

I have no intention on making a carrier in that field, I would just have used it to move to South East Asia since I have been there some times and like it more than Europe.

So I guess if this field is dominated by Malaysians and Chinese, I don't even have to look into a job in Malaysia itself?

Incidentally, can I ask, what is it that draws you to Singapore? Why Singapore?

I saw that there is a quite big petrochemical Industry and this is why I thought it might be good.


I tried to move to Indonesia but I have no change as a foreigner there.



And why do they pay so little if the living costs are so high there? How do those people live? 5 man in a small apartment or what eating white rice?

[PNGMK]

I'm afraid that for a normal tech it will be the same all over Asia.

Now if you have a very rare niche skillset that you develop then you may find it possible to be based in the region as a travelling specialist. The sort of specialists I see this happening with are guys who can handle radioactive equipment, certify or inspect equipment to unusual or uncommon certification standards or are specialists in severe/harsh service valves or similar that are not common but important.

I should add that these guys usually work for equipment manufacturers (or their representatives) and not the refineries themselves. I had a friend who spent two decades travelling this region for Ohmart for example (they make radioactive based instrumentation) - he was the only guy certified in this part of the world to install and service their equipment.

[Max Headroom]

Probably yellow fever. I caught it once in 1966 got over it by the end of 67. Had a relapse in '82 and still haven't gotten rid of it this time. I've been told it's terminal this time.

Mal knows what I'm talkin' 'bout!

[PNGMK]

I'm afraid that for a normal tech it will be the same all over Asia.

Now if you have a very rare niche skillset that you develop then you may find it possible to be based in the region as a travelling specialist. The sort of specialists I see this happening with are guys who can handle radioactive equipment, certify or inspect equipment to unusual or uncommon certification standards or are specialists in severe/harsh service valves or similar that are not common but important.

I should add that these guys usually work for equipment manufacturers (or their representatives) and not the refineries themselves. I had a friend who spent two decades travelling this region for Ohmart for example (they make radioactive based instrumentation) - he was the only guy certified in this part of the world to install and service their equipment.

In summary:

1. Get a bunch of rare or almost extinct TUV certifications for older / rarer equipment used out here. Look for NDT, inspection certs, requalification certs that are not taught or offered out here. Add on DNV and Euro certs if you can. Focus on marine as well as refinery and process plant. Add in biopharma if you can.
2. Get a job with an equipment manufacturer that sells a lot into Asia from Germany to build up experience that can get you a job out here or a internal move out here. Remember those companies have agents out here who might be interested in hiring you with the right experience and certs.
3. Network like hell with Asian colleagues and companies to build a relationship network that can bring you out.