Spur: It's just like applying for a job
06:35 PM May 27, 2009
Letter from Ng Geak Yeong
I refer to "Retrenched need the help ...now" (May 27) from Mr D M Samy.
I would like to share what I found out when when I made enquiries about a training course under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) scheme. It was a sponsored baking course, with an intake every four months. However each intake has only 14 vacancies, and a few thousand applicantions. In addition, those shortlisted have to undergo four interviews before they are offered the course.
I am sure those professionals who are out of job will be more confident about their readiness to make a career change. However under ‘this pick and choose’ way of selecting people for retraining, the unemployed face "competition" of another kind.
I am disappointed that the Spur scheme has become another means to recruit the more talented jobseekers instead of it as an opportunity for the retrenched to gain another skill for a living.
06:35 PM May 27, 2009
Letter from Ng Geak Yeong
I refer to "Retrenched need the help ...now" (May 27) from Mr D M Samy.
I would like to share what I found out when when I made enquiries about a training course under the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur) scheme. It was a sponsored baking course, with an intake every four months. However each intake has only 14 vacancies, and a few thousand applicantions. In addition, those shortlisted have to undergo four interviews before they are offered the course.
I am sure those professionals who are out of job will be more confident about their readiness to make a career change. However under ‘this pick and choose’ way of selecting people for retraining, the unemployed face "competition" of another kind.
I am disappointed that the Spur scheme has become another means to recruit the more talented jobseekers instead of it as an opportunity for the retrenched to gain another skill for a living.
