Thinking about a move from UK to Singapore

[GrahamB]

Just sketching out the idea at the moment, just wanted to throw the situation out there to see if I could get some good advice, ideas or contacts.

I'm English, married to a Brazilian with a 9 month old baby girl. Had business's in UK and Brazil. As a mature student I'll be studying for a Transport Management and Logistics degree starting next year (the industry I've working in most of my life. Driving heavy goods vehicles at the moment to earn a living. We're thinking where might be the best place to make money and bring up our child, and have thought of Singapore.

Any comments re prospects in this field, remuneration and demand? Any other comments?

[ecureilx]

Just sketching out the idea at the moment, just wanted to throw the situation out there to see if I could get some good advice, ideas or contacts.

I'm English, married to a Brazilian with a 9 month old baby girl. Had business's in UK and Brazil. As a mature student I'll be studying for a Transport Management and Logistics degree starting next year (the industry I've working in most of my life. Driving heavy goods vehicles at the moment to earn a living. We're thinking where might be the best place to make money and bring up our child, and have thought of Singapore.

Any comments re prospects in this field, remuneration and demand? Any other comments?

I am wondering aloud .. WHY SINGAPORE ??

Well, well, make money is what Singaporeans are hating about Foreigners, at the expense of the locals ..

[JR8]

Just sketching out the idea at the moment, just wanted to throw the situation out there to see if I could get some good advice, ideas or contacts.

I'm English, married to a Brazilian with a 9 month old baby girl. Had business's in UK and Brazil. As a mature student I'll be studying for a Transport Management and Logistics degree starting next year (the industry I've working in most of my life. Driving heavy goods vehicles at the moment to earn a living. We're thinking where might be the best place to make money and bring up our child, and have thought of Singapore.

Any comments re prospects in this field, remuneration and demand? Any other comments?

Hi GrahamB,
I'm a little confused. Are you doing the degree by distance learning while based in Singapore, or at a Singapore university?

[JR8]

Well, well, make money is what Singaporeans are hating about Foreigners, at the expense of the locals ..

Hey chill Ecu... on the OP's 1st post he likely won't understand or be interested in the socio-politics surrounding foreigners and immigration

[ecureilx]

Well, well, make money is what Singaporeans are hating about Foreigners, at the expense of the locals ..

Hey chill Ecu... on the OP's 1st post he likely won't understand or be interested in the socio-politics surrounding foreigners and immigration

I am cool, hence my smileys

Maybe I should have added a few more .. ROFL ??

[sundaymorningstaple]

Maybe quit trying to be everything to everybody? If you had done as much, for as long, with as many people as you have, you would have to be twice my age and never slept for a minute. And I'm already ancient.

[GrahamB]

Hi GrahamB,
I'm a little confused. Are you doing the degree by distance learning while based in Singapore, or at a Singapore university?

Sorry, poorly explained. I'll be studying in the UK, and the possible move will be after that, so a long time away.

[GrahamB]

Well, well, make money is what Singaporeans are hating about Foreigners, at the expense of the locals ..

Hey chill Ecu... on the OP's 1st post he likely won't understand or be interested in the socio-politics surrounding foreigners and immigration

I am most definitely interested in the socio-politics surrounding foreigners and immigration. I have no interest in making money at the expense of the locals, I just want to know about job prospects and opportunities.I don't want to take, but to add, just as the many immigrants in the UK do.

[Mad Scientist]

Hi GrahamB,
I'm a little confused. Are you doing the degree by distance learning while based in Singapore, or at a Singapore university?

Sorry, poorly explained. I'll be studying in the UK, and the possible move will be after that, so a long time away.

Mate !!

Things changes more than you can ever expect. More so in Singapore.
Immigration rules dictates the employment scenes here and the local population demograhics whill curtail any influx of FTs.
Yes you can plan but I would encourage you to look for a few options at the same time and finish your Uni. Look for country/ies that transport is in demand.

[JR8]

Sorry, poorly explained. I'll be studying in the UK, and the possible move will be after that, so a long time away.

Ah I see now.

Well, as a starting point, to get a work permit in Singapore you - in summary terms - need to demonstrate skills and experience that are not available locally [you know, kind of the common sense immigration policies we might wish to have in the UK but obviously haven't!].

So. You have to have that differentiation. I don't know much about logistics, but either you'd have to go in as a start-up entrepreneur, or have the skills to get a local or MNC operation to hire you. You can find things like (IIRC) Hayes Business Services salary reports/surveys re: pay-scales if you search for them.

Maybe others who understand logistics can give more focus. Maybe broaden the focus too; Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia? Singapore is a tiny and expensive little country (think the Monte Carlo of Asia), if it is your sole focus of research you might get frustrated.

Best of luck.

[GrahamB]

Sorry, poorly explained. I'll be studying in the UK, and the possible move will be after that, so a long time away.

Ah I see now.

Well, as a starting point, to get a work permit in Singapore you - in summary terms - need to demonstrate skills and experience that are not available locally [you know, kind of the common sense immigration policies we might wish to have in the UK but obviously haven't!].

So. You have to have that differentiation. I don't know much about logistics, but either you'd have to go in as a start-up entrepreneur, or have the skills to get a local or MNC operation to hire you. You can find things like (IIRC) Hayes Business Services salary reports/surveys re: pay-scales if you search for them.

Maybe others who understand logistics can give more focus. Maybe broaden the focus too; Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia? Singapore is a tiny and expensive little country (think the Monte Carlo of Asia), if it is your sole focus of research you might get frustrated.

Best of luck.

Thank you, and thanks for the feedback. Like I say, it's early days, so there's plenty of time to look at options. Singapore is the initial interest because of the use of English and it's role as a transport hub. Thanks again

[JR8]

Singapore is the initial interest because of the use of English and it's role as a transport hub.

Reminds me of the old joke. 'If they don't understand your English, just repeat it again but more loudly.'



p.s. Final point GrB. I take your point on languages, but if you were to be employed in an MNC that might well not be a factor at all. Or, as a start-up, you'd have to hire hire top-notch bilingual management. From the UK, Singapore might look a little exotic and daunting.... but when you've lived there for a year or more and done a few trips and holidays around the region, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand seem perfectly do-able, and Singapore looks rather a high-end girls handbag.

[GrahamB]

Mad Scientist, thanks for your feedback.

Look for country/ies that transport is in demand.

From a logistician SG has one huge draw; the Port of Singapore. It's not only the World's busiest port, but it's likely to become an even more important freight transport hub with the changes in the World economy.

[ecureilx]

From a logistician SG has one huge draw; the Port of Singapore. It's not only the World's busiest port, but it's likely to become an even more important freight transport hub with the changes in the World economy.

Then again, when the Northern Ice Cap opens up more .. .. ouch ..

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/busin ... wanted=all

[Mad Scientist]

Mad Scientist, thanks for your feedback.

Look for country/ies that transport is in demand.

From a logistician SG has one huge draw; the Port of Singapore. It's not only the World's busiest port, but it's likely to become an even more important freight transport hub with the changes in the World economy.

OP, transport does not only curtail to logistic side of thing. Have you considered Russia , island nations?
I am in NZ now and doing some work in Christchurch for Fulton Hogan and CERA. Part of my time spent in Sweden, before I jumped onto this bandwagon, I was offered some work in St. Petersburg on transport side of things. It did not materialise as circumstances changes for me at that point of time but it would definitely save alot on traveling and money.
My point is if you are good in what you are doing, sometimes it is better to look for somewhere that is not mature in that sector of industry. For sure you will face adversity , tribulation and challenges but hey that is where the money is, I mean good money. Think about it.