Tan Kin Lian - Perspectives Implementing an apprenticeship system
I wish to share this perspective of the inefficiency of our current job market.

When a new business wish to look for workers, they advertise in the job platforms or newspapers. Existing workers apply for these jobs. The successful ones resign from their current jobs. The employer has to offer higher wages to retain the workers or go into the job market to look for new workers, most likely people working in the same industry.

The process is repeated. In a tight labor market, it can cause wages to increase sharply, leading to high business cost. The cost of recruitment and training add to the business cost.

Is there a better system?

The apprenticeship system, adopted in Germany and some other countries, appear to be a good system. The employer recruits apprentices and provide them with on-the-job training and part time training in trade schools.

The workers are paid an allowance, and can earn a good salary on completing their apprenticeship.

The government can help this system by making the trade schools, similar to our current vocational institutes, suitable for employers. They can also provide funding and financial support to the employers.

Some countries implement a legislation for apprenticeship. I suggest that this would be a good start for Singapore,

Young people do not need to worry about looking for a job after they complete their formal education in a tertiary institute. They can enrol as an apprentice. These jobs are made available in a jobs portal.

I believe that this is a good system to ensure that young people can get suitable well paying jobs.

Tan Kin Lian

 

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