Read related article: [ Helping hand for the jobless ]

By Khushwant Singh

ONE man’s compassion for the plight of out-of-job people here has touched the corporate heart of Singapore.

Mr Michael Lum, 48, who has been running free workshops for the unemployed teaching them how to perform better at job interviews has got at least 17 organisations here to support his cause.

Streats reported last Friday that Mr Lum, a corporate trainer, had been paying rent for the workshop venues out of his own pocket. He hoped that some companies would come forward to offer their seminar or meeting rooms free for this.

Since the report, he said his phone has not stopped ringing. One call came in as early as 6am.

There was also a woman who called, offering to pay for the photocopying of the course notes. Many other callers encouraged tim to carry on the good work.

The responses show that many employers do care for people who are out of work and this has touched Mr Lum, who runs Lumiere Systems, a manpower training organisation.

His company does not have its own training rooms and holds sessions mostly in hotels.

Ms Helen Lee, a director of U-Need Health Products, e-mailed Streats yesterday to offer her training room to Mr Lum.

She said: “What he is doing is very inspiring... Many of us are not brave enough to do something to help others".

Moved by all this, Mr Lum said: "I did not expect such a response and it's a powerful encouragement for me to continue my mission to help those who can't find jobs."

Mr Jack Chua, president of ERA Realty Network, said: "Michael is very generous to conduct free workshops and we want to help him. He can use our training theatre during office hours."

Singapore Indoor Stadium sales and marketing manager Joanna Leong said that her staff were inspired by Mr Lum's gesture.

"We want to help him and he can utilise our function rooms whenever they are available," she added.

Mr Lum said One woman burst into tears when she spoke to me as she had been retrenched by a bank the day Streats report appeared."

He was still receiving calls yesterday.

“Two commercial schools and a health products company have also come forward to offer training premises, and more than 400 jobless people have called me since Sunday,” he said.

Mr Lum also said he was taken aback by the number of people at his workshops who could not write a proper resume or did not know what to do during ajob interview.

“They really need help and I’m now more determined to equip them with the skills to find employment.” he said.

“This shows that there are many people who are desperate for a job.”

Mr Lum’s next series of free workshops would be in the third week of August.

Those interested should e-mail him at lum1128@starhub.net.sg or call 6338-1128.

Mr Lum is currently abroad and will be back tomorrow.

Source : STREATS July 31, 2003

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