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SINGAPORE: More than 2,100 employment, bonding and training opportunities in the logistics sector were made available under SGUnited’s jobs and skills program between April and September, with most of them in non-professional roles, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in its last employment status report on Monday (October 27).
As with many industries impacted by COVID-19, the logistics sector has seen a severe reduction in air cargo capacity, a worker shortage stemming from border closures, and reduced efficiency due to distancing measures. sure.
However, the effects of COVID-19 within the industry have been uneven, with those serving aviation and aerospace negatively impacted and those providing e-commerce, last mile fulfillment services, or providing Services to critical sectors such as healthcare saw an increase in demand.
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About 63 percent, or 1,340, of the 2,100 opportunities in the logistics sector were for job openings, MOM said in its report.
Professional, Manager, Executive and Technical (PMET) positions accounted for around 36% or 480 of available jobs, and the remaining 64% or 860 jobs for non-PMET positions, such as cargo coordinators and material handlers.
The other opportunities included: 510 internships or internships and 290 training places.
Most of the vacancies were for non-PMET roles, as the industry requires many workers to perform warehousing, transportation, labeling and packaging functions, MOM said in the report.
Salaries offered in the logistics industry ranged from S $ 1,600 to S $ 2,400 for positions such as transportation clerks and cargo handling workers, to between S $ 3,700 and S $ 7,250 for a managerial position.
Between April and September, 710 people were placed in jobs, internships and training positions in the logistics sector. About 600 of them found work, and about 240 of the secured jobs were for mature workers.
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Tuesday that Singapore is well positioned to distinguish itself as a logistics hub amid the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advancements and geopolitical tensions.
“People are very concerned about possible disruptions in their global supply chains. That is why many of these companies come through Singapore, because they understand that we have a network that is much more resilient than many other countries,” Chan said. . he said during a virtual press conference about his visit to a DB Schenker warehouse.
“If we continue to maintain our competitiveness in this area, we will continue to grow this sector, especially for … the sectors that depend a lot on the timeliness of their products, and these are mainly in high value products – biomedical products, the sectors of ICT, etc. ”, He added.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry said Singapore’s large logistics companies plan to create 1,500 new jobs in the logistics sector over the next five years, building on the existing committed investment portfolio of the Economic Development Board secured between 2018 and 2019.
The logistics industry contributed around S $ 6.8 billion, or 1.4% of gross domestic product, and last year hired more than 86,000 people in 5,300 organizations.
READ: Electronics sector continues to grow despite COVID-19, offered more than 2,800 opportunities since April: MOM
LOW STARTING SALARIES
Responding to a question about the low starting salaries for non-PMET positions, Human Resources Minister Josephine Teo said it is important to have a spectrum of opportunities available in the industry.
These roles could be filled by people in the hotel or retail industry, who have been hit hard by the economic recession. Many of these workers would have previously held non-PMET roles, said Ms Teo, who was at the press conference with Mr Chan.
“Of course everyone would like to get the job that offers them the best overall package, but I think many job seekers are also quite progressive. Not only do they want any job that comes along, they are also looking at the prospects.” Ms. Teo said.
“Although starting salaries at some levels may not be that high, but often the job seeker will also consider what the prospect of further development is. In logistics, since it is still a general growth area, I think that option … is available, “he added.
The MOM report called the logistics sector “one of the most welcoming to mid-career changers,” and explains that employers in the industry often look beyond qualifications when hiring, as these seekers Employment have networks that help the company expand its business.
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