Tan See Leng, Ng Chee Meng urge young workers to remain positive amid global uncertainty

Key Concepts

• Fresh graduate anxieties in a turbulent job market
• Government and institutional support for job seekers
• Employment rates and vacancy data for entry-level positions
• Four gaps faced by young job seekers: skills, expectation, opportunity, and experience
• Importance of open-mindedness and considering diverse job opportunities
• NTU's youth support programs (NTU Youth Excel)

Support for Fresh Graduates

• Anxieties: Acknowledgment of anxieties faced by fresh graduates entering the workforce during uncertain times.
• IHLS & WSG Support: Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have increased career guidance efforts. Workforce Singapore (WSG) introduced "Polaris" with volunteer career advisors (VCAs) to connect young job seekers with industry experts.
  • Polaris: A program connecting young workforce entrants with industry experts for career path insights, industry knowledge, and professional networks to develop personalized career plans.
• Call for Calm: An appeal to graduates and parents to remain calm, supported by data analysis.

Employment Data and Vacancies

• Preliminary Data: Early data (up to June) shows some positive signs.
• Employment Rate Comparison: June 2025 employment rates are comparable to, and slightly higher than, June 2024.
  • Specific Figures: Employment rate as of June 2025 is 51.9%, compared to 47.9% in June 2024 (a 4% increase).
  • Caveat: Emphasized that this is a preliminary snapshot.
• Steady Vacancies: Vacancies for entry-level jobs have remained steady.
• Public Sector Opportunities: Approximately 2,400 immediate vacancies in the public sector suitable for fresh graduates, available on careers.gov.sg.
  • Examples: Roles include engineers and software developers.
• Public Service Career Fair: Government to organize a public service career fair in August for graduates to learn about these vacancies.

Gaps Faced by Young Job Seekers

• Four Gaps: Identified four key gaps faced by young job seekers: skills, expectation, opportunity, and experience.
• Skills Gap: Youth feel unprepared for fast-evolving skills demands, particularly in areas like ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). They desire more targeted upskilling in both technical and soft skills.
• Expectation Gap: Differences in expectations regarding pay, work-life balance, and job fit.
• Opportunity Gap: Concerns about the impact of global instability and AI on job availability and the nature of jobs. Some are extending internships, and there's a perception of slowed hiring for entry-level roles.
• Experience Gap: Employers often prefer candidates with prior industry experience, disadvantaging first-time job seekers. This creates a cycle where experience is needed to get a job, but a job is needed to gain experience.
• Valid Concerns: These gaps are acknowledged as valid concerns reflecting young workers' desire for meaningful and sustainable careers.

Encouragement and NTU's Role

• Resilient Labor Market: Despite the challenges, the labor market remains resilient with job opportunities available.
• Open-Mindedness: Encouragement for young workers to remain open-minded and consider diverse job offers, even if they don't perfectly align with expectations. These jobs can provide initial experience, networks, and potential new career directions.
• NTU Youth Excel Program: NTU will strengthen support for youth transitioning from education to work through the NTU Youth Excel program.
  • Components: Includes job search skills training, networking opportunities, company learning journeys, and industry mentorship programs.
  • Impact: Since 2017, approximately 12,000 youth have benefited from these initiatives, with plans to scale up the program.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The segment addresses the anxieties of fresh graduates entering a turbulent job market, highlighting government and institutional support mechanisms. While acknowledging the challenges and gaps faced by young job seekers (skills, expectation, opportunity, and experience), the speaker emphasizes the resilience of the labor market and encourages open-mindedness in job searches. Preliminary data suggests a slightly improved employment rate compared to the previous year, and numerous public sector vacancies are available. NTU's Youth Excel program is presented as a key initiative to bridge the gap between education and employment, offering skills training, networking, and mentorship opportunities. The main takeaway is a message of reassurance and proactive support for young job seekers navigating a complex landscape.