http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_360559.html
Help in scouring jobs market
By Jeremy Au Yong, Political Correspondent
Ms Lee Bee Wah (left) said in the last six months, more then 170 people have come to her Meet-the-People sessions looking for jobs.
ASKING for the number of job vacancies is almost second nature to Ms Venus Tan.
In the past six months, she has posed the question when attending functions, while buying a meal at McDonald's and even at a supermarket checkout counter.
But the 39-year-old, who is studying traditional medicine part-time, is not looking for jobs for herself.
She is a job navigator, a role she volunteered for when her MP, Ms Lee Bee Wah, set up a scheme for the Nee Soon South ward of Ang Mo Kio GRC, to help residents find jobs close to home.
Although the scheme was put in place in January last year - before the economic crisis hit - it has since become an important tool in Ms Lee's efforts to help residents cope with the downturn.
Speaking about the scheme on Tuesday, Ms Lee said in the last six months, more then 170 people have come to her Meet-the-People sessions looking for jobs.
Of these, around half have been placed in jobs through the Job Navigator scheme. The rest have been referred to the Central Singapore Community Development Council.
Ms Lee was giving an update on various measures that have been introduced in Nee Soon South since she was elected its MP in 2006. Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will be visiting the ward in two weeks' time.
Help in scouring jobs market
By Jeremy Au Yong, Political Correspondent
Ms Lee Bee Wah (left) said in the last six months, more then 170 people have come to her Meet-the-People sessions looking for jobs.
ASKING for the number of job vacancies is almost second nature to Ms Venus Tan.
In the past six months, she has posed the question when attending functions, while buying a meal at McDonald's and even at a supermarket checkout counter.
But the 39-year-old, who is studying traditional medicine part-time, is not looking for jobs for herself.
She is a job navigator, a role she volunteered for when her MP, Ms Lee Bee Wah, set up a scheme for the Nee Soon South ward of Ang Mo Kio GRC, to help residents find jobs close to home.
Although the scheme was put in place in January last year - before the economic crisis hit - it has since become an important tool in Ms Lee's efforts to help residents cope with the downturn.
Speaking about the scheme on Tuesday, Ms Lee said in the last six months, more then 170 people have come to her Meet-the-People sessions looking for jobs.
Of these, around half have been placed in jobs through the Job Navigator scheme. The rest have been referred to the Central Singapore Community Development Council.
Ms Lee was giving an update on various measures that have been introduced in Nee Soon South since she was elected its MP in 2006. Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan will be visiting the ward in two weeks' time.
