Resorts World at Sentosa's (RWS) Human Resources Director, Ms Seah Ee Boon, has a job much like Donald Trump's in the ruthless reality TV series, The Apprentice. The only exception: She does not fire, she hires. P@ssport catches up with her.
The hunt has begun. Quietly, the recruitment exercise to get talent for the upcoming Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) when it opens in 2010 has been set in motion over the past 10 months.
More than 10,000 positions at the 49-ha tropical casino resort will be up for grabs over the next three years, with the bulk going out for applications in 2009. Other than regular positions such as guest relations officers at its six hotels and croupiers and security personnel at its casino, RWS is hiring workers for – among other roles – costumed characters in its Universal Studios Singapore, aerial acrobats for its resident show "Le Vie" and fish nutritionists in its world's largest oceanarium, the Marine Life Park.
We want the extra oomph called "zest"!
Filling the positions with headcount is not enough, said Ee Boon. She is on the quest for workers who have the extra oomph she calls "zest".
"They must enjoy the work," she said. "We are in the business of delivering a memorable holiday experience for our guests, and for that to be done well we need people with an innate passion and motivation to serve."
Attitude is top on the criteria list, she said. "It all boils down to a positive attitude. Training comes easy when you have the right attitude, but if service is not your cup of tea then no amount of training can help."
Equal opportunities for all
With a manpower crunch on the horizon for booming Singapore, RWS has been working closely with schools and public agencies such as the Singapore Tourism Board, the Workforce Development Agency and the National Trade Union Congress to map out manpower strategies.
Jobseekers of all ages, and from all walks of life, have a chance to join the RWS family, said Ee Boon. "We are an equal-opportunity employer, and we are open to having team members from every possible avenue and with different life experiences.
"From young graduates, the elderly, back-to-work mothers, yellow ribbon workers to the physically-disabled, RWS's manpower strategy is to invest in and develop each and every individual who joins the RWS family in their chosen career path,'' she said.
Training, the bugbear of many hotels and shops, has not been overlooked. For an employer that would require skilled workers who range from theme park ride technicians to animal trainers and wardrobe assistants, the courses and on-the-job training will be varied.
RWS has plans to send selected employees to cut their teeth at other Universal Studios theme parks and its sister company in Malaysia, Genting Highlands Resort.
Our doors are open
The corporate culture at RWS is open and friendly, said Ee Boon. "There is not much protocol as we practise the 'open-door' policy at RWS."
"We want a culture of an engaged workforce – team members who come in daily with their thinking caps on, members who are involved in the company, who contribute ideas which improve things," she added.
Employee welfare features high on the list for the mother-of-four. Since moving into its new corporate office at Sentosa in July, RWS staff, some 133 of them at present, have been enjoying perks such as free breakfast spreads in the office courtyard cafeteria each morning,and a well-equipped gym for their sole use. Plans are also underway to build a staff chill-out lounge with massage chairs.
Ee Boon said, "I believe our culture is our biggest differentiation. The openness gives employees a sense of ownership in this project and will ultimately support us to deliver the best holiday experience for our guests."
