Opportunities for unemployed PMETs

The Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched a new Business Advisors Programme where experienced PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) who are currently unemployed will be matched with SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) for a full-time project-based attachment of six months. PMETs selected for this programme will be appointed Business Advisors to the SMEs to carry out short-term project advisory work.

PMETs interested this programme should have accumulated a minimum of five years’ experience working in industries such as (but not limited to) finance, technology, engineering, branding, management consultancy, retail, shipping, logistics, fast moving consumer goods and healthcare. More importantly, they are required to bring to the table the right domain expertise and skills set while demonstrating the right attitude and passion to help grow the SME sector.

SMEs seeking help in implementing a new project, initiative or business idea can apply for a Business Advisor under this programme. PMET candidates who meet the qualifying criteria will be shortlisted, interviewed and attached to SMEs of the best fit through a matching process.

PMETs who have been successfully matched with SMEs will be required to attend a two-day induction programme before they take up their appointments as Business Advisors. Designed and developed by SMU’s Office of Executive Education and conducted on SMU campus, the transitioning workshop will help them understand the unique nature of SMEs’ business culture, networks, leadership and management style. The first run of the workshop will take place in May 2009.

SPRING Singapore sees in this a great opportunity for SMEs to engage experienced PMETs to help them grow their topline, improve profitability and productivity through this downturn. The agency will fund 70% of the $5,000 monthly project advisory fees while SMEs will cover the remaining 30%. The programme aims to achieve 60 projects in SMEs.

PMETs and SMEs who qualify can register their interest with the UOB-SMU Entrepreneurship Alliance Centre at SMU. The Alliance Centre is a collaboration between UOB and SMU to help grow and develop the local SME sector. Contact details at the Alliance Centre are as follows: Tel: 68280954 / 68280622; Email: ea@smu.edu.sg; or URL: www.smu.edu.sg/usea

Said Associate Professor Annie Koh, Dean of Executive and Professional Education, SMU: “While there are many schemes and conversion programmes to help blue collar workers, fresh graduates and PMETs transition into specific industry types, more can be done for a group of experienced and well qualified PMETs from finance, technology, IT and other sectors. The Business Advisors Programme is one of the more meaningful contributions to corporate social responsibility by SMU. SMEs which do not have the financial means to engage business advisors can now do so with government funding support while jobs are created for retrenched or unemployed PMETs with a wealth of expertise to contribute.”

Edmund Tsai, director of wine distributor Magnum Wine and Spirits, who is looking for a business advisor who can provide internal services audit, says, “It is really about the attitude.” With limited resources available, the last thing he wants is a PMET who does not have the right mindset to add value to his company.

Director of NuVista Technology Vijay Bareja agrees. On the lookout for engineering advisors, Bareja is also thinking about the possibility of taking on the PMET advisor full time after the project ends. However, it depends on the business needs. “In three to six months time, we see the business is sustainable so [it means] the business needs you.”

Source: Sandbox Advisors, SMU, HR magazine