S1E14: They quit school early and do blue-collar jobs; can they have hope in Singapore? - Work Talk

Ms Shobana Baskaram had no higher school qualifications but is now assistant manager at Marina Bay Sands.

Synopsis: Every first Monday of the month, the Work Talk podcast helps you work smarter, think deeper and get ahead in your work life.

In this episode, host Krist Boo asks these questions: Can a room attendant who barely speaks or read English rise to become an assistant front-office manager? Does a restaurant manager really need a diploma or a degree? Can a secondary-school graduate manage a team of 44? 

She and her guests talk about the plight of Singaporean workers who stop school at, or before completing their secondary education. They make up 27 per cent of our local workforce of 2.3 million. Many of them are doing blue-collar work, which comprise 20 per cent of our jobs. 

The panel comprises:

Ms Shobana Baskaram, an assistant manager at Marina Bay Sands

Dr Laurel Teo, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies

Ms Chloe Huang, strategic director of recruitment platform OppTy

Mr Chow Keng Hai, senior hospitality executive and hospitality consultant

And to celebrate the new Chinese Year of the Rabbit, we have a bonus extra after the podcast with fengshui master Ken Koh. Listen on to how the rat, ox, rooster, dog and tiger might fare this year.  And bosses, if you are still tussling with employees over the great return-to-office negotiation, Master Koh has advice for you. 

Have a good work week!

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:43 Will millennial managers change the game

4:09 My restaurant manager must have a diploma

5:11 A hotel room attendant who could hardly read nor write English

8:40 Why spend resources on them; time to do something

14:38 Huat ah!! A session with fengshui master Ken Koh

Produced by: Krist Boo (kristb@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Follow ST's new Your Money & Career Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wVpX

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg 

Read Krist Boo's Column: https://str.sg/wB2P

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#moneycareer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.