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Oral Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower, to Parliamentary Question on employment outcomes of ITE and Polytechnic Graduates

Employment practices

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1888 OF 2019 FOR THE SITTING ON 5 NOV 2019
QUESTION NO. 3292 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Desmond Choo

To ask the Minister for Manpower how is the Ministry working with the Ministry of Education to ensure that ITE and Polytechnic graduates can continue to get good jobs in light of the economic slowdown.

Answer: 

  1. Our ITE and polytechnic graduates continue to do well when they enter the labour market. In 2018, around nine in ten graduates who entered the labour market were employed within six months after their final examinations. This figure has remained stable for the past ten years. Notwithstanding economic headwinds, overall employment has continued to grow, and job vacancies remain available for ITE and polytechnic graduates.

  2. The Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Education have various ways to help our students prepare for and find employment. ITE and the polytechnics run structured and comprehensive career guidance programmes to help graduating students make informed employment choices. In addition, we offer SkillsFuture Work-Study programmes for Diplomas and Post-Diplomas. These allow ITE and polytechnic graduates to deepen their industry-relevant skills even as they pursue further academic education.

  3. In January this year, Workforce Singapore rolled out the Career Starter Programme, comprising workshops and personalised coaching to help both graduating ITE and polytechnic students and fresh graduates boost their job search skills and be more employable. The Career Starter Programme complements existing Education and Career guidance efforts in schools by targeting final-year graduating students who may require additional support when seeking employment.

  4. After leaving ITE or the polytechnics, graduates can also find assistance at WSG’s Careers Connect or NTUC’s e2i’s career centres. They may also tap on online resources such as the MySkillsFuture portal and the MyCareersFuture digital service. For example, they can access information on industries and occupations as well as other resources on MySkillsFuture to chart their career development. They can also search for jobs best suited to their skills on MyCareersFuture.

  5. Although businesses are facing greater uncertainty, the advance 3rd Quarter labour market data indicates that employment continued to grow in sectors such as Professional Services and Community, Social & Personal Services. MOM and MOE are monitoring the labour market closely, and will ensure ITE and polytechnic graduates are well supported in their job search.