Learning to Adapt: Staying Employable during Difficult Times

In our new feature series, we will be sharing unique individuals from SCALA’s Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP) whose mid-career switch to the Logistics and Supply Chain sector inspire.

For 7 years, Wilson was employed in the oil and gas industry installing mooring equipment on oil rigs. Much was dependent on his expertise, as his calculations and final decisions had huge implications on the uptime and profitability of each oil rig. With so much riding on his shoulders, Wilson spent many days away from his family.

Before becoming a warehouse manager, Wilson was from the oil and gas industry

Then the oil slump hit in 2015.

From 2017 to 2018, oil prices continued on a downward trend and before long, Wilson found himself unemployed. For a year or more, Wilson’s family savings dwindled, and he faced the prospect of not being able to afford common household necessities and expenses.

Fast forward to today, Mr Wilson Ho, in his late 50s, is now a warehouse manager in Winspec Logistics. Although he earns much less than before, he makes enough to care for his family and has more time to spend with his family. He feels that the stability in the job is also a plus point.

 

Being a life-long learner, and he was glad that his investment in a management diploma had paid dividends, as it helped convince his future employer of his ability to learn and adapt.

Recalling his experience, he remembered that the interview was not too difficult. During the interview, he focused on his wealth of transferrable skills such as his experience and management skills, values that he knew the employer was looking for. Being a life-long learner, and he was glad that his investment in a management diploma had paid dividends, as it helped convince his future employer of his ability to learn and adapt. Furthermore, as a new hire he was placed in the Logistics Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) as part of his On-Job-Training (OJT).

When questioned on what difficulties he faced in his new career, he recalled an incident how he was mocked by a senior supervisor because of his inexperience in warehousing. Wilson made sure to not let the incident affect him, but instead focused on doing what he can do, such as leveraging his experience to build the warehouse team and helping them overcome obstacles. He adds that it is important for mid-career switchers to be confident and learn new domain skills quickly. Going the PCP helped greatly, as he was able to pick up the intricacies of the industry much quicker.

Don’t overthink. Grab any opportunities that comes your way. There will be hurdles to clear, but as long as you continue to learn and build new skills, they can be overcome.

A year and 3 months into his new career, his advice to mid-career jobseekers is: “Don’t overthink. Grab any opportunities that comes your way. There will be hurdles to clear, but as long as you continue to learn and build new skills, they can be overcome.” And when asked whether he has any specific advice for those transitioning into the logistics sector, “Never lose focus on (C)ommunication, (I)nformation and (D)ocumentation!”

Supply Chain And Logistics Academy (SCALA) is a Singapore-based industry academy that focuses on creating value for the logistics industry and the individuals who want to switch their careers to logistics. Wilson’s story is also published in the Straits Times on 2 August 2020

Interested in the PCPs? Email admin@scala.com.sg for a free consultation!

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