Singapore or not?!?!

[Thinker]

Hi everybody,

I am thinking about working in Singapore. It will be a locally acquired function and not a temporary secondment by my current employer.

Given that it does not regard a temporary secondment, my partner is a bit reluctant / having doubts . She is wondering whether she will be able to find a job or will be able to keep herself busy in some kind of "constructive" way. She is educated as a pharmacy assistant.

Question is thus on one side whether it is possible to find a local job without any specific education (assuming the education as pharmacy assistant is not valid in Singapore) and on the other side whether there are sufficient possibilities for ("constructive") activities as an expat wife.

Experiences and advice are more than welcome.

Thanks and kind regards,

[dot dot dot]

Alas, but Singapore is extremely diploma minded and without papers it is almost impossible to find a job, certainly when being a foreigner. Silly, but true.

Eric

[riversandlakes]

Hmm you mean there's education where you are now that doesn't give papers at the end of the course? How is it proven of the education received?

[Thinker]

An education and diploma as a doctor obtained in e.g. Nepal, does not mean that you can automatically practice medicine in e.g. the US on the basis of the education / diploma. The diploma would thus not be valid.

Similarly, being educated at a certain level in the Netherlands to prepare medicine, does not automatically mean that other countries, such as Singapore, would allow you to prepare medicine on the basis of the eduction enjoyed and the diploma received.

[riversandlakes]

Sure, I know that So there is a paper, so you're inquiring if the paper that your wife has is recognized here.

Then it becomes a very common question. On recognizing foreign health pros, perhaps you can find some clues at the Ministry of Health's website?

[Vaucluse]

Thinker - there are also many jobs/functions that we have in Europe - particularly Northern Europe - which are not found elsewhere - simply because we are so very (over) specialised and actually have courses and training in such things as pharmacy assistant, F&B service (waiting . . . ) etc . . .

Best would be to find out your options while you are here - who know, maybe taking up a course to bridge the supposed gap would be of value.