SINGAPORE: The Marina Bay Sands Resort has announced a massive recruitment drive to start getting some of the 10,000 staff it will need, with priority given to locals.

And it has the help of local union movement and the Workforce Development Agency.

From food and beverage staff to security officers, to hotel room attendants, these are some of the posts that will filled when the Integrated Resort opens its doors for business at the end of next year.

Mr George Tanasijevich, General Manager and Vice President of Singapore Development, Marina Bay Sands Resort, said: "There will be all job types covering business categories included in the Integrated Resort, from basic entry level positions all the way through to senior management positions, but clearly this initiative with NTUC is focusing on rank—and—file positions."

And government agencies want to ensure that Singaporeans looking to re—enter the labour market such as housewives are equipped with the right skills.

Mr Zee Yoong Kang, CEO of Employment and Employability Institute, said: "It is timely that these jobs are coming on stream at a very difficult or potentially difficult time for the Singapore economy.

"Our job now is to make sure that these jobs are accessible to as many Singaporeans as possible so that in bad times they can look forward to filling these vacancies."

Marina Bay Sands Resort will first conduct a pre—employability exercise where potential employees receive one to two weeks of training. They are then interviewed and if hired, go through a proper training.

Mr Zee added: "Of course we want them to get into Sands but if they fail to get into Sands and choose to work elsewhere, we are very sure that the skills we give them will enable them to get into other jobs."

Singapore has an overall target of getting Singaporeans ready for the expected 60,000 jobs to be created in the overall tourism industry by 2010.

The first phase of Sands recruitment drive for non—gaming staff will kick off on Monday. — CNA/de