28 May 2020

Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who is also Singapore University of Social Sciences’ associate professor of economics, said: “I think wages are more sticky than job openings, so rather than wages falling substantially to accommodate (the reduced demand for employees), it’s more likely that employers simply will be reluctant to hire.”

Prof Theseira said having a job that builds some skills, such as traineeship programmes, could be better for first time job seekers than waiting for the ideal job or being under-employed.

“I am not a big fan of the idea that the solution is to get a graduate degree. Those are not good substitutes for experience in the field and they put you in competition with the next cohort for entry-level positions,” said Prof Theseira.

Responding to the lower employment prospects for fresh university graduates this year, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University have engaged employers and curated job openings for graduating students.

Acknowledging that students’ job search this year may take longer than in the past, an NTU spokesman urged them to be open-minded, and said that the university will support those who need help.

NUS had earlier said that it is opening up 200 full-time jobs and 800 paid traineeship positions across its faculties and research institutes for graduates. NTU also plans to open up several hundred paid traineeships for final-year undergraduates from all disciplines.

23 May 2020

Ngee Ann Polytechnic will be using an artificial intelligence platform to help with its Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) assessment and selection process.

The polytechnic has started this with five of its schools — business and accountancy, film and media studies, health sciences, infocomm technology, as well as life sciences and chemical technology.

The AI platform can read write-ups submitted by students and interact with them through an online chat to gauge their aptitude.

Additionally, MOE said that the polytechnics and ITE will be ready to render support to applicants who face difficulties with the online selection process. For such students, online interviews and assessments may be conducted at school premises instead of at home, with information technology equipment borrowed from the school.

Working adults can also apply to polytechnics via the EAE from June 8 to July 5. Applicants should be Singaporeans or permanent residents with at least two years of relevant work experience, and should submit employment records and employer recommendations.

23 May 2020

The Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday that schools will be opening in phases from June 2.

But privately conducted centre-based classes as well as learning programmes run by self-help groups will not resume face-to-face lessons yet.

Many tuition operators have switched to online classes in the meantime.

MOE centre-based lessons will resume for graduating cohorts from June 2, with additional safe management measures in place. These are lessons for students sitting language, art and music examinations.

The MOE also said that the National School Games competitions will be cancelled this year as there is not enough time to complete the season within the school calendar. In addition, students would not be adequately prepared for the competitions due to lack of training.

22 May 2020

These days, fresh graduates are finding it tougher to get a job in Singapore. University graduates looking for work are starting to have fewer options, and frequently find themselves having to accept short-term contract offers as well as a lower starting salary compared to previous batches.

Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who is also Singapore University of Social Sciences’ associate professor of economics, said the current economic disruption may last longer than the global financial crisis of 2008-2009.

The government will implement some measures to assist job seekers. For a start, financial institutions will receive $2,000 every month for each Singaporean fresh graduate or Singaporean worker from other sectors they hire, as part of a Monetary Authority of Singapore talent development initiative.

NUS education economist Kelvin Seah said: “There are likely to be fewer job openings, more short-term contracts instead of permanent positions, and lower starting salaries for university graduates. Unless there is a real need for workers, most companies are likely to want to play it safe, and to hire in smaller numbers, if at all.”

Internships may also be deferred or rescinded, he said, as most companies’ immediate focus is on cutting losses and staying in business.