Look into delays in processing applications for healthcare jobs

In the light of an ageing population, it is heartening to know that $12 million has been set aside to train community care workers ($12m award set up to train community care workers; Sept 6).

Preparing a future-ready workforce to offer preventive and rehabilitative care requires expertise in many aspects, including radiography, speech therapy and physiotherapy. Thus, the funding for professional development is a move in the right direction.

But ramping up the healthcare industry goes beyond professional development opportunities. More effort can be directed at attracting people to the healthcare and social work industries.

While there has been publicity about recruitment drives, my friends who applied to be allied health professionals say that the human resource departments in the public sector take months to process job applications, and that it takes three months or more before they receive a job offer.

The long processing time taken by the recruiters will be detrimental to the chances of securing talent.

If efforts are made to expedite the job application process, I believe we will be able to attract more talent to the healthcare and social work industries.

Woo Jia Qian (Miss)

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 09, 2017, with the headline Look into delays in processing applications for healthcare jobs. Subscribe