By Shuli Sudderuddin

Looking for a job?

Croupiers and accounting managers for the coming casinos are in demand, as are the evergreen if more mundane ones like hotel and food-related jobs.

These are among the jobs underlined by the Labour Market Highlights 2009, released yesterday by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), together with the Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

The annual report aims to help job seekers make more informed career choices by providing information on jobs in demand across 16 industry groups.

It also provides industry and occupational information such as industry and jobs outlook, the wage ranges and relevant academic qualifications.

One highlight this year is the array of jobs that have been created by the two integrated resorts (IRs), which are set to open early next year.

Statistics in the report show that the two IRs - in Marina Bay and Sentosa - will provide 20,000 jobs when they are fully operational.

IR jobs listed include that of the casino accounting manager, who must ensure that financial activities within the casino adhere to the regulatory framework, and croupiers, who will operate table games and can expect a starting salary of $1,800.

Jobs in the hotel industry are also available, thanks to the opening of new hotels and expansion of existing ones.

Reservation sales executives who handle group room reservations by tour agencies, corporate customers and VIPs can expect to earn $2,300 to $2,600 a month, while salaries for rank-and-file positions from room stewards to dishwashers range from $870 to $1,720.

Some industries that have been adversely affected by the current downturn, such as food and beverage (F&B), still have positions available, such as those for chefs and restaurant managers as well as non-executive positions such as cashiers and kitchen assistants.

The report added that the future for both the hotel and F&B industries is bright due to the opening of new malls and the IRs.

Other industries that have positions open despite the downturn include precision engineering, electronics, chemical, biomedical sciences and financial services.

Those interested can access Labour Market Highlights 2009 at MOM's www.mom.gov.sg website.

This month, hard copies of the report will also be available at the Career Centres at the Community Development Councils, e2i, the WDA and Post-Secondary Education Institutions.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.