Category: Singapore News

True Heroes – 4 Invisible Jobs Singaporeans Take For Granted

Most of us Singaporeans are always on the go -we spend long hours at work and school before squeezing in a few hours to spend time with loved ones. Most of us are so wrapped up in our own busy lives that we tend to forget about those who make our lives so much easier.

Here are 4 jobs that are vital to Singapore (and to us Singaporeans), but aren’t getting the appreciation that they deserve!

1. Bus Captains

[caption id="attachment_21548" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Annabelle Law Productions[/caption]

Let’s be honest, we often take bus captains for granted. Think about it: when was the last time you thanked your friendly bus uncle? We might even assume that their job is easy, being that they just need to drive on the same routes day in and out.

Well, it isn’t at all.

Bus captains work long hours – they’re on the clock weekdays, weekends, public holidays rain or shine. Most importantly, they’re in charge of keeping thousands of commuters safe.

Bus captains are even faced with potentially violent situations, such as the three SBS Transit bus captains who were assaulted on New Year’s Eve. While these accidents are far and few in between, they do still occur to local bus captains who are just trying to make a living.

So what are we doing to ensure that our bus captains are getting more recognition?

The National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) has been busy meeting the 4 public bus operators to ensure bus captains get better pay, career progression and benefits.
NTWU was deeply involved in helping bus captains transit to Tower Transit, a newcomer in the Singapore public bus industry:

NTWU negotiated with Go-Ahead to keep their compensation package competitive:

The union also got SBS Transit to increase its gross monthly pay by more than 15%, with sign on bonus of $3,000 for Singaporeans and PRs:

And convinced SMRT to match the employment packages offered by the other public transport operators.

longer than what civil servants get. SBS Transit has also adopted a Progressive Wage Model where , like an extra 95 hours a month! The security sector has the they face, security officers still remain a set for the security industry. Firms also had to ensure that their security officers completed the required NTUC[/caption]

The PWM has been set to not and retaining existing security officers.

The next step is convincing buyers of security contracts to use security assessments so they know what kind of security they need, instead of making security officers work long hours just to show face.

TL;DR: The Progressive Wage Model helps security officers get proper training, a career path and higher pay. But the industry still suffers from , long working hours and were given to construction workers. This does not include across industries, and this includes construction. In Singapore, wages for foreign workers are determined by market demand and supply for labour.

In Singapore, the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) ensures that workers across several industries are working in safe environments. WSHC carries out training and safety awareness campaigns for workers and employers, as well as conduct regular workplace safety inspections.

video source: Yahoo

Organizations like , to

TL;DR: Construction workers face a variety of issues that come with working in Singapore. Organizations such as MWC ensure that migrant workers receive the aid they need.

4. Cleaners

[caption id="attachment_21549" align="alignnone" width="722"] Singapore Kindness Movement [/caption]

Singapore is known around the globe as a clean and green city. Our streets and public buildings are squeaky clean, and it’s hard to find a filthy mall or street full of trash in Singapore.

While we pride ourselves on being one of the cleanest countries in the world, the truth is that all the recognition should be going to the cleaners who work tirelessly to ensure Singapore is clean 24/7.

But how much do cleaners earn?

In June 2015, the median monthly basic wages of full-time resident cleaners was $1,100.

Recently, the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC) gave three recommendations to improve cleaners’ wages.

The TCC recommended that from 2017 to 2022, wage adjustments and increases, as well as annual bonuses should be enjoyed by those employed in the cleaning industry.

Cleaners can expect a total boost of $200 to their wages from 2017 to 2020. Since annual bonuses currently aren’t mandatory for cleaners, it’s a relief to know that from 2020, cleaners can expect to see a 3% increase in their wages every year till 2022, as well as an annual bonus (equivalent of 2 weeks of wages).

[caption id="attachment_21555" align="alignnone" width="574"] Wage Increase And Annual Bonuses For Cleaners[/caption]

TCC’s recommendations are TL;DR: Cleaners will see an increase in their wages from 2017 to 2022, but what happens after 2022? Will their wages still be held ransom to cheap-sourcing?

Also Read: 4 Jobs That Aren’t As ‘Bulletproof’ As You Once Thought

Traffic Forecasts For 2nd Link & Woodlands Causeway This Chinese New Year

If you’re heading to Johor Bahru (JB) this Chinese New Year, you’re definitely not alone. Welcome to the club for all motorists who will be utilizing the Causeway and the 2^nd Link. Like Sun Tzu heading to war, it’s best to enter JB with a solid strategy…by arming yourself with these.

We’re referring to these amazing traffic jam forecasts we’ve uncovered! This way, you’ll be able to plan your entry into JB with maximum efficiency.

Be assured that this forecast is pretty accurate, as the reference data is based on the traffic statistics in Chinese New Year 2016.

2 days before Chinese New Year – 26 January 2017 (Thursday)

As the eve of Chinese New Year is on 27 January 2017 (Friday), most Malaysians tend to return home the day before, which is 26 January 2017. This explains the spike in the traffic from Singapore to JB at both the Causeway and the 2^nd Link, which will start to build up from 2 pm onwards. It’s best to be a bit more kiasu (aka wiser) and set off earlier if you can.

Eve of Chinese New Year – 27 January 2017 (Friday)

On Chinese New Year’s eve, set your alarm clock to ring even earlier. As you can see from the graphs, traffic flowing into JB will build up as early as 4am. However, it’s possible that traffic may ease before evening as most people would already be at their reunion dinners.

Chinese New Year – 28, 29 January 2017 (Saturday, Sunday)

In the mornings of the 1^st and 2^nd day of Chinese New Year, we can expect traffic to be at a low volume. However, the trends show that traffic will start increasing around noon at both sides of the border, probably due to Malaysians visiting Singapore or PRs returning home early.

Last day of the Chinese New Year Holiday – 30 January 2017 (Monday)

On the last day of the holiday, it is expected that many will be returning to Singapore in preparation for work the next day. It appears that the 2^nd  Link will be more affected as most of the people travelling back from the North of Malaysia will choose this route. In this case, it’s best to take the Causeway!

One day after the Chinese New Year Holiday – 31 January 2017 (Tuesday)

Given that it’s a work day, most people would already have arrived home the day before (30 January 2017). However, it’s not uncommon for some to take a day off or two. As such, do note that there may be more traffic heading into Singapore after lunch hour, especially on the 2^nd Link.

We hope that these forecasts do come in handy. Share this information with your friends and loved ones so they can enter JB or Singapore quickly and with ease.

Everyone gets frustrated in a jam, but don’t forget that safety is paramount. Drive safely!

Information credit and for real-time traffic forecasts at the Causeway and 2^nd Link: causewayjam.wordpress.com

Header image credits: HD Wallpaper

Also, read Savvy Local’s Guide: Fill Your Calendar To 15 Jan With These Must-Not-Miss Events!

4 Jobs That Aren’t As ‘Bulletproof’ As You Once Thought

You’re celebrating finally FINALLY finishing another major stage in your education. Now you’ve decided to continue your studies in Uni but you have NO IDEA what you’re going to study! Don’t worry because I’m pretty sure there are many many of us out there who went through the same process of being confused.

You’ll turn to friends and family who will all have their own opinions on what industry to get into, thinking it’ll be stable (and make you a lot of money). Unfortunately… they might not always be right! Here are 4 career paths that were once “bulletproof” but are not anymore.

1. “Lawyers Are Always Needed And They Make A LOT Of Money!”

Once upon a time, lawyers were (and still are) considered the cream of crop. Only the brightest could get a law degree which is why getting a law degree would guarantee you a spot in a law firm and on the fast track to being a partner (and making SO MUCH money).

What People Think:

About the The Balance[/caption]

The housing market has its up and downs but for the most part here in Singapore it’s pretty stable. Selling a few homes a month and you’ll be sitting on a pile of cash!

Reality: 

At the start of 2016, the  According to Spring, a study carried out in 2015 found that only 6 in 10 smaller F&B businesses make it past the five-year mark. This translates to almost half of the 369 cafes registered in 2011 closing down.

If you think you’ll be breaking even the moment customers start walking through the door, that simply isn’t true. Unfortunately, the average business runs at an annual loss of 8% and it takes an average of two and half years to recoup the initial investment.

Smaller F&B businesses make up 85% of the enterprises in the F&B industry yet they only earn 21% of industry revenues.

TL;DR: It isn’t just about good food and service! More than half of small F&B businesses in Singapore close. It’ll generally take you two and a half years to regain your initial investment!

4. “Finance. It’s Where The Money’s At!”

For a long while now, studying finance, economics and banking were considered the smart thing to do. You would land yourself a job right out of school, that’s going to have you working long hours but the payoff would be worth it! You would make your way up the career ladder and be cashing in all the hard work!

What People Think:

You’ll join a bank or financial investment firm, it’ll be hell for awhile you’ll work long hours and you’ll meet clients who are so filthy rich you’ll wish you were them. But then you’ll close a deal and your commission comes in and suddenly it’s all worth it!

Reality:

2016 hasn’t been a good year for financial services. A long-time pillar of growth for Singapore’s economy. The finance sector.

as well as seek flexible hiring solutions such as contract work.

Connecting Tomorrow’s Unemployed With Tomorrow’s Jobs

(feature image: The Hard Truths About Migrant Workers In Singapore

Always Wanted To Be A Pilot? Get Your Licence To Fly Without Emptying Your Bank Account!

Always wanted to try flying a plane but never had a chance? You can now realise your dream to fly at Singapore’s very first private Flight School!

Formed by a group of experienced private aviators, Flight School is the only private school in Singapore. Additionally, it provides realistic training with sophisticated full-motion flight simulator.

Get Your Private Pilot Licence at Flight School

If you’ve seriously considered learning to fly, you would have thought that getting a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is an unrealistic and unattainable dream.

Just thinking about how much you’ll have to pay in order to practice with a real plane would have made your knees go weak.

However, Flight School keeps the cost low, and your unattainable dream may just be possible!

At Flight School, they offer a comprehensive 12-week ground school in-classroom programme to help aspiring aviators like you prepare for the FAA (USA) Private Pilot Knowledge Test.

The best part of all, the full-motion Redbird MCX flight simulator is being used instead of a real plane, making it a whole lot more affordable to train for a license.

“By removing the need to practise in a real plane, it is possible for a learner pilot to prepare for the FAA Private Pilot test at a fraction of the time and cost of going the traditional route,” said Mr Lim who is, himself, a certified private pilot.  “Flight training is now more accessible, affordable, and within reach of anyone.”

Redbird MXC Flight Simulator

Learning to fly on a flight simulator?

It sure doesn’t sound like the real deal – it’s definitely different from manoeuvring a real plane, right?

Fret not, because this badass simulator accurately replicates the controls of single and twin engine aircrafts that are commonly used for flight training.

Furthermore, the Redbird can also be configured for advanced flight training, including multi-engine and instrument flight training.

Trainees can clock up time ‘abroad’, train under any weather conditions and ‘land’ at any airport in the world with this simulator.

It is very much cheaper than renting an aircraft, and a whole lot safer too!

By the time trainees get into a real plane, they will feel a sense of familiarity with the instrument layout, controls, and sensation of flying an aircraft.

Full Motion Flight Simulator Experience For Everybody

What if you’re interested to try but not keen on the license?

Flight School also offers simulation sessions for adults and children aged 7 years and above.

You can explore the joy of flying an aircraft from as short as 45 minutes to as long as 180 minutes!

Teenagers aged 13-16 can also join Flight School’s Young Aviator’s Programme.

This special programme aims to spark students’ interests in Math, Science, Technology and Engineering through hands on learning.

Flight School Open House

Flight School will be hosting an open house from 26 to 27 November and 3 to 4 December 2016!

There will be fun games for children, aviation-related talks for adults, all day long snacks and FREE flight simulation sessions for all (aged 7 years and above).

While the Open House does not require any pre-registration, you will need to book your flight simulation session in advance to guarantee a spot.

Slots are running out really fast, so click Noreen and Clare, had the opportunity to try the flight simulator. Here’s their experience:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BM1Htpkg8OK/?taken-by=claregwendolyn

Flight School Open House
Date: 26 & 27 November, 3 & 4 December 2016
Time: 9am – 7pm
Venue: Flight School, WingsOverAsia Hangar 66, 66 Seletar Aerospace View, 797509 (Next to Seletar Airport Control Tower)
Website:

Programmes available at Klook x KopiPass: Enjoy Free Coffee While Planning Your Holiday Activities!