JOBSFACTORY  SCHOLARSHIPS  SINGAPORE

Singapore - A good career path and adequate opportunities for development in the future are paramount factors to be considered before applying for a scholarship, says Lawrence Thien, a student from Raffles Institution (Junior College).

Marked by the increase in scholarship research and applications on Brightsparks, a web portal owned by JobsFactory, Lim Der Shing, CEO of JobsFactory, says scholarships are now becoming more popular. Some factors that make scholarships attractive to students include offering a good career path, good overseas and local education options, competitive remuneration and funding, and the presence of a strong employer branding.

When implemented well, Lim feels that scholarships "can help groom a strong pipeline for future middle to senior level leadership". One example is the scholarship programme for the Singapore government administered by the Public Service Commission (PSC), with many top civil servants often discovered via this route.

Thien, who has applied for a PSC scholarship, says he has interest in a career in the government. However, he says the length of stay after the bond will be determined by the opportunity for growth and advancement. "It ultimately depends on where I feel would benefit me more in the long run," says Thien.

On the flip side, having scholars in the company can make other staff feel less important and under-groomed. Besides making the criteria for entry into management transparent, HR needs to "offer equal opportunities for top talent who are not scholars", adds Lim.

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