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Work Holiday Pass

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kris-one
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Work Holiday Pass

Post by kris-one » Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:51 pm

Hi

I’m not sure how many will be aware of this but the Singapore MoM offer a ‘Work Holiday Pass’ to students and recent graduates from 8 countries worldwide, including the UK which is where I am from.

I am in my 2nd year at University and looking to gain a bit of international experience during next summer which is for around 3 months before returning to the UK to complete my studies.

I like the look of this opportunity and it seems to really suit what I am looking for perfectly. I have been to Singapore a number of times and a future career in Asia/Pacific greatly appeals to me.

The website on MoM (http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx ) just gives the details on how to apply but falls short in suggesting where one could search for companies that offer short time work opportunities.

So has any one had an experience in regards to this ?

Thanks

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:59 pm

Most of them end up working for the restaurants along Boat, Clark & Robertson Quays.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by kris-one » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 2:03 am

Interesting

So do you think they just end up there because there is not much demand in other sectors or because they go to Singapore purposefully to find bar work?

To be honest working in a bar or restaurant doesn't greatly appeal to me. I am more looking for something in financial services sector.

Thanks anyway.

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ksl
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Post by ksl » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 2:42 am

kris-one wrote:Interesting

So do you think they just end up there because there is not much demand in other sectors or because they go to Singapore purposefully to find bar work?

To be honest working in a bar or restaurant doesn't greatly appeal to me. I am more looking for something in financial services sector.

Thanks anyway.
There is criteria that puts off companies, due too a minimum expected salary of 450 per month, the company must also submit a study plan for the period involved, have staff capable to supervise the intern and look after there welfare while in Singapore..

We have an intern manufacturing engineer at the moment, and I'm not at all sorry we gave him the opportunity, so you can send me your CV for next year and I can see if I can plan the work experience for you. Though I will say, that it is work experience of running a whole business, not just a part of it. I don't have time for people that believe they are academics, before workers, flexibility and work skills I'm interested in. So you need to be looking for a MNC, if the suit doesn't fit with us.

I myself was in the same position abroad, after my theory in Export Consultation, I had to find a company willing to kick start an overseas expansion for a product launch. So I know how negative Companies can be, as they believe there is nothing the student could offer but cheap labour.

I'm not quite sure how the bars and restaurants would qualify, most are on work permits and a few illegals I guess. Interns would be too costly from the west. But those from Malaysia, Indonesia, i guess would jump at the chance for working bars. They also come under the employment act in regards to hrs and overtime. Do not take the illegal way!

I'm pretty sure you can pull the rabbit out of the hat! The problem of application is a problem for many Companies, our application was rejected 2 times before I went to MOM to find out the real problem was the Company, that must look after their welfare while in Singapore. Which i guess puts many off.

You cannot rely on HR staff to apply correctly is the biggest problem, secondly the website criteria at MOM is not correct, so all the time wasting makes it expensive to get an intern employed. Though I am sure those companies that have been through the application system, will take on interns.

I will encourage our Company next year to do the same, as this intern we have now, is very capable for a career position, if he wants one.

I can recommend that all companies should at least try to take on interns, it's surprising what you can get out of them, in a productive manner if you trust them enough to give them a chance.
Last edited by ksl on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 3:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by kris-one » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 3:02 am

Thanks for the reply KSL

You are right. The MoM website conveniently does not mention anything in regards to what the potential employer has to do to hire an intern. Makes it sound very easy. However is there a specific difference between what an intern does and what a temporary employer does? If you are only the latter I do not see why a study plan is necessarily needed.

The only option I can see is to find names and contact details of companies online and write asking them if they are willing to hire me on a work holiday visa.

Could you tell me, if you know, where did your company advertise the position?

Cheers

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Post by ksl » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 3:07 am

kris-one wrote:Thanks for the reply KSL

You are right. The MoM website conveniently does not mention anything in regards to what the potential employer has to do to hire an intern. Makes it sound very easy. However is there a specific difference between what an intern does and what a temporary employer does? If you are only the latter I do not see why a study plan is necessarily needed.

The only option I can see is to find names and contact details of companies online and write asking them if they are willing to hire me on a work holiday visa.

Could you tell me, if you know, where did your company advertise the position?

Cheers
The study plan is part of the Companies application criteria, to be allowed to take the intern. The intern must also show that practical employment is relevant to the university course to get employed.

That is to say our intern had to get a letter from his University has proof the 3 month employment was relevant to his study.

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Post by kris-one » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 3:15 am

Thanks

But how did the intern get the position..?

Through a job website?
A contact in the firm?
Wrote a speculative letter and got lucky?
Through his home university?
or...

Cheers

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ksl
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Post by ksl » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 3:18 am

kris-one wrote:Thanks

But how did the intern get the position..?

Through a job website?
A contact in the firm?
Wrote a speculative letter and got lucky?
Through his home university?
or...

Cheers
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic72079.html

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Post by kris-one » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 3:28 am

Wow, thanks KSL.
It sure looks like a lot of trouble and I commend you for having that attitude regarding the importance of offering the opportunity to students. Thumbs up!

Cheers

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 7:05 am

The problem is that we are talking about two different things. ksl is talking about a training program which is covered under the WPTP or the EPTP and not the holiday work program. These are two different types of passes.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by ksl » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 2:10 pm

It was called the (TEP) temporary employment pass, from October to December. I believe this maybe a holiday period, but not sure and it is case by case scenario, we had to justify why we needed a person from another country. Not difficult if you are an export company covering several languages and dialects to target your customers. Cheezzzz had 3 languages in his favour with several dialects.

I'll be looking at the UK market shortly so if you are interested read my thoughts, and look at the opportunities. I am already in a project with a USA entrepreneurial university and looking at R&D manufacturing for a large franchise chain using the government subsidies for development. We also have a Taiwan office setup and can export for local companies too. It's very difficult to find local talent with persistent motivation, and commonsense. It is in the companies best interest to nurture career prospects for long term after graduation, with an excellent working environment. So even if the intern doesn't commit, he will at least be a representative of our companies goals and ethics to pass on a good experience to others.
Last edited by ksl on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 2:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 03 Dec 2010 2:21 pm

SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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