Utrecht – NL, January 4, 2019. Workforce Singapore (WSG) is a Public Employment Service (PES)  in Singapore. It uses MyCareersFuture.sg as its job search portal, helping local jobseekers and employers to match jobs and vacancies. WSG also turned to WCC and its matching software to help improve its service.

Although WSG uses MyCareersFuture.sg as their job search portal, WSG engaged WCC to improve their service to employers because of its expertise in matching software. More specifically, to test-bed and provide “Applicant Ranking and Talent Recommendation”. The aim of improving WSG services is to help employers save time in identifying suitable and potential job candidates. For example, to lower job mismatches (where the candidate may lack the skills required). And to reduce missed matches (where jobseekers are not applying for the jobs even though they have the skills). The employer module is due to launch in the first half of 2019.

In an interview with The Straits Times, WCC Chief Operating Officer Jan Muchez said that the technology uses machine learning algorithms to create profiles of jobseekers. It does so by categorizing data from curricula vitae, and adding related terms to increase the chances of a match. The portal can then recommend to employers the most suitable candidates. These recommendations include those who have indicated they are open to receiving job offers, but have not applied to a specific job ad. “This broadens their candidate list since they are not necessarily dependent on active jobseekers who apply. They can now also approach the ‘latent’ job seekers,” he went on to explain.

There are several features that set WCC’s matching software apart from the competition:

• On the input side, we first run CVs through machine learning algorithms to classify their content into categories (job title, skills, education etc.)
• In doing so, we add all kinds of synonyms and otherwise related terms based on a database of how certain terms relate to each other (an ontology)
• When searching in the database, our clients apply an auditable matching algorithm to control and rank the output (for example, occupation may have a higher weight than education). With this matching algorithm, a PES can achieve transparency towards all stakeholders. This is because the entire matching and ranking can be explained.

MyCareersFuture.sg is an integral part of WSG’s Adapt and Grow initiative. It complements the Government’s efforts to build and develop an adaptable and competent workforce in Singapore, A workforce that is prepared for careers of the future, based on skills and competencies, and lifelong learning programs. WSG’s approach to enhance the portal based on users’ feedback and needs also fits with the Government’s Smart Nation vision. Namely to create and deliver more citizen-centric Government digital services.

WCC/WSG in the media

• Straits Times Online
• Zaobao Online
• Business Times Online
• Channel News Asia Online
• Channel 8 Online
• The Independent
• Human Resources Online