Marina Bay Sands to hire 4,500 people to run casino operations

As construction of the Marina Bay Sands gets underway, the company behind the us$ 5.4 billion integrated resort is also stepping up its hiring before its opening at the end of the year. It’s just completed a recruitment drive for hospitality staff.

As the gaming industry is still very new to Singapore, in-house training will be provided. Part-time positions will also be offered. Applicants need not have experience, but they simply need to possess the right attitude.

Nigel Roberts, president, Marina Bay Sands, said: "We want individuals who have a suitable approach to how they deal with people, customers. "We’re going to be creating a simulated casino and we shall be giving about 11 to 13 weeks of training to people who are interested in being part of that division."

Marina Bay Sands said the objective is to hire as many Singaporeans as possible. That’s what the labour movement, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the government’s Workforce Development Agency is focusing on. It’s helping the company screen and train interested jobseekers.

The training programs come under the national skills program, SPUR. Said Nigel Roberts: “I think it helps us all. It makes everything smoother, more efficient and as I said, at the end of the day, the objective is to hire Singaporeans, Singapore jobs for Singaporeans. And I think we all clearly have that ambition in mind.”

Ong Ye Kung, assistant secretary-general, NTUC, said: “Our job bank now is 17,200 jobs. We have about 7,000 to 8,000 people in our database seeking jobs. Sometimes when there is a skills mismatch or expectations mismatch, that’s where we intervene. We try to train and counsel, so they can be matched to the job openings."

In the earlier recruitment exercise, over 1,800 applicants were referred to Marina Bay Sands for interview after going through NTUC. Of this, 1,300 were shortlisted while 1,000 will be receiving Letters of Intent soon informing them they’re being considered for jobs at Marina Bay Sands.