10 Singapore job sectors that are hiring during the recession

As I was writing this post, one part of me was telling me to forget it. Why? Because the news in the past two days seemed to say so, and you don't even need a crystal ball to look further.

'30,000 new jobs this year' . . . but 'job losses in other sectors could reach 34,000 this year, peaking around third quarter'. Do the arithmetic and you'll know if there are really more jobs this year. 

'Grim forecast of 300,000 job losses  . . . most expected to be foreigners hired in past 5 years'. 

Looking at the bright side of this dark times, there are still job sectors, which, despite all the news of losses and retrenchments, will see an increase in hiring within the next 2 years. Here are the ten sectors:

1. Healthcare - Ministry Of Health announced in the middle of this month the creation of 4500 jobs in the next 2 years. Although mostly healthcare professionals, administrative and ancillary staffs are also needed.

2. Teaching - 7,500 teaching and teaching support jobs will be available this year as announced by Ministry Of Education before the end of 2008.

3. Home Team - 1,050 vacancies for Police, Prison, Narcotics, Immigration and Civil Defense officers and staffs. 

4. Social Works - As more and more Singaporeans will be seeking assistance partly due to the effect of economic recession, more social workers, psychology specialists, special schools therapists and support officers are needed by the National Council of Social Services.

5. Childcare - NTUC First Campus, Singapore's biggest childcare operator, will build 25 more centers in the next 12-18 months.

6. Public Transport - There is a significant increase in ridership as more people are leaving their cars and start taking buses and MRT's.

7. Alternative Energy (manufacturing) - New and upcoming plants for the manufacture of solar and wind energy equipments and other parts have been opened or planned.

8. Process Industry - 12,000 jobs available in the petrochemical and chemical processing plants.

9. Biotechnology - Projects worth $1.5B will be put up. Genentech, a major player in this industry, just opened a new plant on December 2008 and four more plants are coming.

10. RND - Engineers and researchers are needed across all applicable sectors, especially in  biotechnology and alternative energy.

Sectors 1 to 3 are for government ministries/agencies, therefore, it is intended for citizens and PR's. Extremely talented foreigners and those with 'passion' (Teaching) and 'ethnic language ability' (Social works) may be welcomed. 

While there is a possible increase in small budget construction projects, hiring within this segment may be overtaken by the number of layoffs in big budget projects, especially after completion of the two huge Integrated Resorts. 

Lastly, businesses who are surely enjoying a good ride in these times are those involved in 'budget', 'bargain' or 'used' products and services. They are airlines, hotels, restaurants and shops.