Ms Gan said that while companies may be more cautious about hiring due to ongoing global trade tensions and amid the artificial intelligence boom, she hopes businesses can take a longer-term outlook.
“Consider hiring fresh graduates who have good qualifications and skills, and are eager to work,” she added. “This is actually helpful to companies too, in their leadership renewal as well as development of talent.”
HELP FOR JOBSEEKERS
The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce is also looking at ways to help fresh graduates secure work, said Ms Gan.
The task force was set up in April this year by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.
It aims to help businesses and workers navigate the immediate uncertainties arising from United States’ tariffs and related global developments, and strengthen the nation’s resilience.
Another initiative that could provide a boost for graduates would be the return of the SGUnited Traineeship programme, said MP for Pioneer SMC Patrick Tay, who is also assistant secretary-general of NTUC.
The programme helped graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing traineeship opportunities of up to six months to help them develop industry-relevant skills and paying them a monthly training allowance.
It was introduced in March 2020 and ended in March 2022.
“We’ve seen how we allowed, facilitated or catalysed employers to not be too cautious with some government subsidy and support to hire these fresh graduates,” said Mr Tay.
