Singapore's labour chief, Chan Chun Sing, said at a leadership conference yesterday that young Singaporean professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) may have to go overseas to experience life in another country in order to compete effectively with foreigners in Singapore.
Mr Chan, who is secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said companies which set up headquarters in Singapore look to hire people who know the markets in South-east Asia and beyond.
"They don't care whether it's a Singaporean or non-Singaporean, that's the blunt truth. They care about whether their team has the global perspective."
To a crowd of about 700 PMEs at the conference, he said that locals need to compete for positions in top management here, and Singaporeans will need more than just the right attitude, skills and knowledge. He said that experience and exposure also plays a part so that Singaporeans will be a match to foreigners who come to Singapore with experience in their home country.
He added that NTUC is in talks with chief executives of large companies to work out opportunities and partnerships to help young PMEs get access to opportunities overseas.
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