"We develop strategies to enhance the
job worth and pay potential."
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FIVE years ago, security guards did not have proper uniforms and drew an average monthly salary of $800. Today, after an image revamp and professional training, they are known as “security officers” and get paid competitive rates. They are also equipped with information on how they can advance their careers.
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Another job that has been re-created by NTUC is that of gardener. After training in areas such as landscaping, horticulture, and weeding, they are now called “landscape technicians”. As such, they get the chance to utilize the latest machines and equipment available in the industry.
The likes of Ms Lee Eer Ling can take credit for such progressive developments. |
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The job includes meeting both jobseekers as well as industry partners.
“We meet with all levels of people from both the public and private sectors. We work with them to redesign their unattractive, low-paying jobs into attractive ones that Singaporeans are willing to take up,” she explains.
“And here’s where our sense of business development comes to play. As a Job Re-creator, we’ll be recommending certain projects which have never been done before, hence we’ll need to have the determination to keep on pushing through.”
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“And here’s where our sense of business development comes to play. As a Job Re-creator, we’ll be recommending certain projects which have never been done before, hence we’ll need to have the determination to keep on pushing through.”
Besides developing strong relations with industry partners and stakeholders, a Job Re-creator also develops and monitors quality and comprehensive assistance programs. He or she would also need to have a good ground sense of the economy and labour issues as any changes may directly or indirectly impact the workforce.
“To me, working as a Job Re-creator in NTUC is not about being driven by profits or the bottom line. We are marrying a business entity with a social mission. That’s what I like about this job and this is where we derive our passion for our work,” says Ms Lee. |
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About NATIONAL TRADES UNION CONGRESS |
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The NTUC is a national federation of trade unions of workers in the industrial, service and public sectors. As of October, 2006, it has 63 trade unions and six associations affiliated to it.
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The NTUC family includes nine co-operatives and six affiliated organisations — the Singapore Labour Foundation, NTUC Club, NTUC Link, the Ong Teong Cheng Institute of Labour Studies, NTUC LearningHub, and the Consumers’ Association of Singapore.
Visit their website at www.ntuc.org.sg |
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What it takes to be...
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a Job Re-creator |
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| “First and foremost, you’ll need to have a big heart to help people,” says Ms Lee. “Your passion lies in helping workers secure better jobs and upgrade to enhance their employability.” Other must-haves for the role: |
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Familiarity with industry standards and practices. |
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Since your job would be to engage stakeholders, familiarity or knowledge about the industry or sector (for example, manufacturing or hospitality) you may be assigned to is an advantage. |
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Grasp of economic and labour issues. |
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You need to know the latest developments in the economy, as well as labour issues. Any changes in these two factors could directly or indirectly impact the workforce. |
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Ability to strategise. |
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Strategic planning is important, Ms Lee emphasises. “We would have to strategise and manage our work through meeting up with industry partners, governmental and corporate representatives, and even managing feedback from jobseekers whom we have placed in their jobs.” |
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Excellent communication skills. |
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Your meetings with different sectors of society can range from feedback sessions to work-plan briefings. It is imperative for a Job Re-creator to possess good communication and presentation skills. |
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