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S’porean, 45, retrenched right before Ramadan, now finds purpose teaching youths with special needs
It’s never too late to start over.
When 45-year-old Fajar Shah Bin Salim was laid off from his restaurant manager job earlier this year, it felt like the floor had given way beneath him.
Fajar at his previous F&B job.
After more than two decades in the F&B industry, the sudden retrenchment in March hit especially hard as it came just before Ramadan.
“I was sad, of course. But I told myself, maybe one door closes so another can open,” Fajar said.
He recalled meeting a friend the day he received the news, and it was during their conversation he stumbled upon the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support (JS) scheme.
The scheme was set to launch the following month, in April 2025. Fajar decided that he would continue applying to all sorts of jobs he came across in the meantime.
Despite scouring various job platforms for options, Fajar’s hunt was unsuccessful. So when April arrived, he signed up for the JS scheme promptly.
A helping hand
The scheme provides monthly income support of up to S$6,000 over six months, plus job search tools and career workshops to help retrenched workers get back on their feet.
Fajar soon learnt that it ran on a point system, where he could earn payouts by completing certain activities, like attending workshops, picking up new skills, and applying for jobs.
“It was quite motivating. The points system helps as the courses and seminars help in my job search process.”
Within the first month, he had already clocked twice the required points.
Learning how to ‘sell himself’ again
One of the key things that helped him was a resume-building seminar.
Despite sending out multiple resumes, there was no response and Fajar realised his old resume wasn’t getting him noticed.
He learnt that recruiters often spend only seconds scanning each resume to determine whether a candidate has potential.
Fajar immediately went on to restructure what used to be a seven-pager resume to a concise one-pager.
He also started attending online lectures and seminars, which not only helped him earn points but also taught him how to present his experience in a way that appealed to employers outside of the F&B industry.
Finding new purpose
After three months of relentless job applications and upskilling courses, Fajar finally got a job offer at the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) as a vocational instructor.
Fajar teaching at ASPN.
He joined in June 2025 and began to train young individuals with special needs in the basics of daily F&B operations.
Fajar described the feeling of securing a job as “phenomenal,” but added that this job means more to him than just a stable income.
“Being able to train them and help them gain real-life skills is like giving back to the community. It’s a personal achievement for me.”
Fajar with his students at APSN.
Fajar’s message to others facing similar setbacks in their career journey?
“Don’t stop doing what you love. Even at 45, I’m still trying new things and chasing my dreams. You only lose when you stop doing.”
Find out more about the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme that Fajar signed up for here.
This MOM-branded article reminded this writer that there will always be hope, and that you just have to keep trying.
