Singapore's Job Market Still Strong, Graduates Told: Don't Panic, Build Mastery

SINGAPORE, Sept 7, 2026 (Guyana Herald) — Singapore's graduates have every reason to stay confident about their future, despite a tighter job market and rising anxiety among young job seekers. That was the message from Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung, who told about 250 students at the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum that they are entering a growing, dynamic economy, not a stagnant one.

His blunt, reassuring take: “You are not cooked. You're still raw.” The remark, aimed at calming nerves, underscored his broader point that Singapore remains a magnet for investment and a place where opportunity is still being created.

Why Is the Graduate Job Market Tighter?

The minister acknowledged that the proportion of graduates finding work within six months of graduation fell from 92.9 percent in 2023 to 88.9 percent in 2025, according to official Graduate Employment Survey data. He attributed the squeeze to three factors: more graduates entering the market, employers needing to differentiate between applicants, and higher expectations of new hires.

Ong noted that today, about one in two students in a cohort is a university graduate, compared with roughly one in five when he graduated in the early 1990s. A degree still holds value, he said, but it no longer sets candidates apart the way it once did.

What Is the 'Arms Race' Over Grades and Internships?

Ong called on employers to cool what he described as an “arms race” over grades and internships. He argued that every additional signal employers send, such as demanding more internships, credentials, or higher grades, becomes something students feel they must chase to build the perfect CV.

“We are not asking employers to lower their hiring standards. But every additional signal that employers send... becomes something that students feel you must chase to curate the perfect CV.”

He urged firms to look beyond GPAs and conventional internships, and to consider qualities like resilience, initiative, discipline, empathy, character, and work ethic. Hiring a fresh graduate, he said, is “always about spotting potential and taking a chance in a young person.”

Is AI Destroying Jobs for New Graduates?

Artificial intelligence is another force reshaping the market. Ong described a “broken ladder syndrome”, where the career ladder still exists, but the first few rungs have been automated away, forcing new hires to take a bigger leap to start at a higher level.

However, he pushed back against fears of mass displacement. AI is replacing tasks, not entire jobs, and is often being used as a tool for job redesign. It could also compress the time needed for inventions and discoveries, creating new economic activity.

Governments, he added, can set guardrails, including reserving certain roles for humans. Consumers, too, will continue to value the human touch.

“We want food prepared by human chefs. We want to watch live bands. We want songs written by the real Taylor Swift. We want to watch films featuring human actors and real-world imagery like Top Gun: Maverick — that one has no AI at all.”

What Should Graduates Do to Succeed?

Ong pointed to continued investments from global firms like Micron, Roche, GSK, Sanofi, and Google, as well as expansions by DBS, Keppel, Sembcorp, and ST Engineering, as proof that Singapore remains a hub for high-value functions.

But he warned graduates not to rely on the economy alone. His advice: build mastery in a field you care about.

“A degree may open the door, but mastery of your craft will define you as a professional and become your biggest competitive edge.”

He also cautioned against the spray-and-pray approach to job applications. Sending out hundreds of CVs may seem logical, but employers can spot a mass-produced application.

“There is a saying that you miss 100 percent of the shots you do not take... but remember this: employers are moving targets that can move faster than your shots.”

Instead, he urged graduates to focus on the industry, type of work, and organisation that genuinely interests them, and to seriously consider accepting offers when they arrive.

His parting advice was simple: “Your first job is a starting point, not a settling point.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Singapore still a good place for new graduates to find work?

Yes. While the job market is tighter than in previous years, Singapore's economy continues to grow, attract foreign investment, and create jobs. The employment rate for graduates six months after graduation was 88.9 percent in 2025, down from 92.9 percent in 2023, but the overall outlook remains positive.

How is artificial intelligence affecting entry-level jobs?

AI is automating some routine tasks that were once given to new hires, a phenomenon Ong Ye Kung called the “broken ladder syndrome.” However, AI is not causing mass job losses; it is replacing tasks, not whole jobs, and is often leading to job redesign and new opportunities.

What should graduates do to stand out in a competitive market?

Minister Ong advises graduates to focus on building mastery in a field they are passionate about, rather than sending out mass applications. He also encourages them to demonstrate resilience, initiative, and character, and to consider accepting offers when they come, as the first job is a starting point, not a final destination.