SINGAPORE: In previous years when the market was flush
with jobs, Ms Nur Azizah Bte Abdul Wahab might have been able to
enter the workplace right after she graduated from the
polytechnic.
But this year, after a fruitless hunt for a job in a tight job
market, Ms Nur Azizah - who has a diploma in electronic and
computer engineering from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) - decided to
gear up with more skills, but in a different sector.
"I sent out endless resumes for many different jobs in engineering,
admin, logistics ... but I didn't get any of them," said the
21-year-old.
"So, when I heard about Ngee Ann's programme to help graduates and
the specialist diplomas they were offering, I decided to take them
up."
Such programmes offered by the polytechnics - which NP specially
enhanced this year to include internships - have been a boon for
students looking to enhance their qualifications and their chances
of landing a job in this difficult year.
"I think it's an opportunity for me to try an industry with better
employment prospects, and the internship will give me some work
experience to add to my resume," said Ms Nur Azizah, who decided to
take up a specialist diploma in Pharma and Biopharmaceutical
Manufacturing.
"Hopefully, the job market will look better in six months when I've
completed the course."
The polytechnics have seen interest for such programmes surge this
year, although this could also be due to interest from other adult
learners, as the specialist diploma courses are also open for
applications from the public.
At Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), applications for its specialist and
advanced diploma programmes have gone up by about 20 per cent
compared to last year.
It was "possible" that this was due to students opting to enhance
their qualifications in a recession, said an NYP
spokesperson.
There was a "significant" increase at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) -
266 per cent - for its new specialist diploma programmes, but this
was not necessarily due to students choosing to further their
studies due to the recession, TP said.
Recent graduates who applied for the programmes agreed that such
courses are a bonus.
"It's definitely something I will consider if I still can't find a
job soon," said Ms Amanda Wong, 21, who graduated from Republic
Polytechnic. "At least I can also pick up skills in a field that
might be a growth area in future."
Internships, part-time jobs for students
The polytechnics' efforts in helping graduates through the downturn
have continued. NYP will launch a scheme to employ students in the
school for industry projects, research and development, IT, finance
and administration this month.
TP has employed about 100 graduates in various part-time positions
so far, and is in the middle of talks with companies to offer jobs
and internship positions for its graduates.
NP, which has planned to spend $900,000 on 50 jobs for graduates at
the school, has offered 37 places so far, and received 32
applications.
Four graduates have also applied for its scholarships for overseas
undergraduate programmes, and all have been successful.
About 20 companies have signed up to offer internship programmes,
11 of which have opted to tap on the school's $600,000 fund for
companies which are finding it difficult to provide internship
allowances.
Said an NP spokesperson: "Considering the current economic
conditions, we have made good progress in securing internships from
more than 20 companies."
Total asset management company UGL Premas is one such company
tapping on the fund. It said that the internship programme is an
"avenue to identify graduates who wish to consider a career in this
field to join us".
"We will offer full-time employment to the interns if we find them
suitable for any vacancies," said chief executive officer Anthony
Seah.
TODAY/yb