Q MY HUSBAND dropped out of school in Secondary 4 without completing his N levels. He has been a hawker for the past 12 years. He is now 33 years old. Lately, he has decided to resume his studies and hopes to work in a hotel. What part-time course would be available for him?

A AS PART of a career management programme that would benefit your husband and his family, you should consider the following:

- What kind of work is he seeking to do in a hotel for a better personality and job fit?

- What set of skills has he acquired as a hawker that would make his transition a positive one? For example, think about any speciality food that he can cook, customer service he can offer and so on, which could add value to his new role at a hotel.

Everyone has something of value that he can offer to future employers. Academic grades are secondary. Related experience, a good emotional quotient and a great working attitude are key employability factors. Teachability is a key success ingredient for anyone making a career transition.

- Many hotels have their own recruitment websites. You can lodge a current profile of your husband with them so the respective human resource departments can assess his fitness and suitability before he decides on his part-time course.

Attending interviews and receiving feedback will help him identify areas that he should explore further in order to strike out in this new career.

I hope this helps your husband gain some understanding of what is involved in job hunting. It is about doing a reality check. Some hotels may even consider taking him in through an apprenticeship scheme and sponsoring his part-time course.

- In the interim, do assess websites such as www.shatec.sg and www.tp.edu.sg as well as http://www.at-sunrice.com/ and http://www.wda.gov.sg/ (adult learning programmes) for a wider perspective.

- Other career options would be to join an established food and beverage chain. This would help him cope with the transition to a more established career platform, within a corporate structure, in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Christine Sim
Senior Associate Director
KCS Executive Recruitment Services