Internship Hardships in Singapore

[sundaymorningstaple]

Just to keep people updated on Internships;

Cheez finally got approved on the 21st October.

MOM set down recommendations one is that the student is paid a minimum 450$ a month, second is there must be man power to supervise him.

His rejections before was in fact the failure of the Company not to offer sufficient payment for his welfare in Singapore.

Surprisingly the burden is put on the Company to look after the students welfare and repatriation.

My own thoughts was that we were offering help to a student who needed a training position, we didn't really need an intern and that by offering help, we are committing costs in terms of experience, and manpower to teach someone, that will not be producing. If anyone should pay, it should be the universities has they take the kids money.

However it settles much of the hassle that students have been having, trying to find why they are not getting offers.

Even our own Company didn't wish to pay as they said they don't need an intern, which is true, though i eventually convinced the directors the importance of contributing to a students education, as their own children may also be in the same position one day.

It was time consuming to get it processed as the criteria is not stated on their website, rejection is easy. My advice to Companies is to offer students 450$ a month minimum and a very detailed letter explaining how you will supervise them.

The application process will have a better chance of succeeding with those two conditions met, though again it's a case by case scenario

And there is your answer as well. Not every Internship seeker is going to run into a busybody retired bull-terrier that's always on a crusade trying to prove a point either.

So, while cheezzzz made it through, under normal circumstances how many will? How many companies will, as ksl pointed out, fight for a position that most don't want nor need? Especially considering the hoops they would have to go through just for a 3 month position. How many Internship seekers are really on the ball?

[ksl]

Actually I agree with SMS, the Company cannot afford to waste 8 to 24 hrs on man hrs, trying to get appeals sorted out.


The cock up lies with MOM and companies will not be interested in internships until the process is simplified and the right criteria is fulfilled. If the criteria isn't posted on MOM website stating how much one should be paid for an intern, then obviously many will not agree to payment, after all, the intern is in a learning position, with no guarantees he will join the Company that is teaching.

I just don't understand for one moment why the expense should be passed to the business, these guys are over 18 years old, and have become very demanding because of MOM are behind them. I can assure you that when i was an intern, I had to pay my own expenses and be grateful to a get a position. I'm a businessman that remains on the side of the businesses, and I still agree that the cost is not worth the aggravation I doubt that our company will take on another intern.

Pure logic tells most Companies it is a waste of time and money to take on Interns....the other point is that interns are actually a liability to the company if they are not motivated. One bad intern is enough to stop a company from offering any other opportunities. All I can say is that interns have a responsibility that they don't always live up too!

[Mad Scientist]

Generally local companies tend to completely ignore people that are not currently residing in the company, partly because they are too lazy to apply for your visa and also because they will want you to be available for an interview the next day when they call you and be available to start working a few days after they accept you.

I beg to differ on this. You see, those locals who are studying in polys and Unis has "in plant" training on one of the programmes with the private businesses. The local company be it MNC,SE or otherwise are encouraged to provide these trainees hands on experience between One to Three Months or more. Those good ones will normally being offered a permanent place even though they have not completed their studies.
The companies that join these programmes do not need to pay a single cent to the trainees at all. However most of us,companies, do pay some allowances for these trainees. There are those heartless ones which does not pay a single cent which is really sad and inhumane.
The local companies will be given tax incentives, and place in good status with MOM and IRA.
It does not make sense to get in a foreign interns where we have to bent backwards to get you into the programmes whereby the locals students here are abundant in numbers and less cumbersome to do the internship.
Lazy is not the right word. Practicality and common sense will make you think otherwise.
So before you accuse us private companies as lazy, go and think , if you are in our position , what will you do ?

[x9200]

And there is your answer as well. Not every Internship seeker is going to run into a busybody retired bull-terrier that's always on a crusade trying to prove a point either.

Exactly. Ksl, you are a good soul and he was extremely lucky to stumble here upon you. I would not hire him nor accept for an internship based on what he showed in this forum. Persistence should be accompanied by the right attitude.