THIS recession has been rough for many professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) as they cannot readily find work.

Many of them also have to compete against 'hungrier' young graduates, who can take on any job at far lower pay because they have fewer commitments to worry about.

This seems to indicate that, in Singapore, the number of years that a person has worked does not count for much when he is looking for a job.

In Australia, where I was working for six months, a job applicant is not required to include his age, gender and race on his resume.

He does not need to attach a photograph of himself. Neither does he need to state where he lives.

If a prospective employer requests these particulars, the job applicant may alert the authorities to the possibility of discrimination.

The situation is very different in Singapore. Discrimination is very evident. Older workers find that employers have the upper hand when it comes to hiring practices.

Unless the labour law is changed, these workers will continue to face discrimination. Although a degree is important in Australia, it is not a prerequisite for most jobs.

A non-graduate with sufficient experience and leadership skills may still work as a manager in a corporation.

The same cannot be said of companies here, which continue to look for graduates, even when they are filling administrative and marketing positions.

I advise PMETs who are jobless to take up retraining courses that will help them learn the skills that companies are looking for.

Another degree or a master's programme may not help you land a job. Skills, on the other hand, would.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah

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