By Debbie Yong

Even in a recession, there are many jobs available for Singaporeans.

Many are unaware about these jobs or do not realise that they can easily meet the jobs' requirements with some training, said Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the opening of the Career Development Resource Centre (CDRC) in Jalan Besar yesterday.

Highlighting the health-care, education, and hospitality sectors , Mr Tharman said the jobs range from those that need little or no training - such as nursing aides and front-line hotel staff - to those that require diploma qualifications like radiographers and therapists.

The Government will accelerate hiring plans in the next few years, he added, particularly in the Education, Health and Home Affairs ministries.

'It is not just the job of schools, polytechnics and tertiary institutions to ensure that Singaporeans are ready for the changing workplace demands. It is a continuous exercise,' said Mr Tharman.

He cited a health-care career preview seminar, organised by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) at Nanyang Polytechnic yesterday, as one example of such an exercise.

Singapore's unemployment rate rose from 2.4 per cent in December last year to 3.1 per cent in June this year, and to an estimated 3.3 per cent in September.

There is, however, good news on the employment front.

In August this year, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said 7,000 more health-care workers would be needed in the next five years.

The childcare sector will need at least 1,000 workers, as 200 more centres are expected to open in the next five years.

The Ministry of Education needs 2,200 teachers a year as it aims to expand its talent pool to 30,000 teachers by 2010.

The CDRC for low-skilled Indian job seekers is based in the Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre in Jalan Besar. It is a partnership between the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda), the WDA and the People's Association Indian activity executive committee's coordinating council.

Since its soft launch in January this year, the centre has fielded about 760 inquiries on job placements. About 160 people were referred for help, while 81 landed jobs.

Yesterday's launch was held in conjunction with the Indian Community Bursary Award ceremony and Back-to-School Festival.

Sinda, together with the Singapore Indian Education Trust and the Tamils Representative Council, will be offering 2,000 bursaries for primary to tertiary students next year - a 25 per cent increase from last year's number.

The bursaries, estimated to be worth $700,000, are partially funded by The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

'It is a tough time for Singaporeans, but with determination, we will be able to ride this crisis out together,' said Mr Tharman.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on December 14, 2008.