Singapore Places 350 Grads in Jobs Through New Program

Finding that crucial first job after graduation just got easier for hundreds of young Singaporeans. Through a program launched last October, 350 fresh graduates have secured traineeships at over 50 companies, gaining hands-on experience that's opening doors to permanent employment.

The Graduate Industry Traineeships program, known as GRIT, connects recent graduates with companies across finance, tech, manufacturing, and professional services. Big names like DBS Bank, LinkedIn Singapore, OCBC, and Razer are all participating, offering three to six month paid traineeships designed to bridge the gap between classroom and career.

For 26-year-old Skyler Teo, the program was a lifeline. The engineering graduate sent out 260 applications before landing his traineeship at Thales Solutions Asia, where he now works on manufacturing automation and production optimization. "Most companies prefer diploma holders for technical jobs or people with work experience for higher positions," he explained. "Traineeships are a lot easier for fresh graduates to get into."

The program pays trainees between $1,800 and $2,400 monthly, with the government covering 70 percent of the cost. Trainees also receive company benefits like leave days while building real-world skills that employers value.

A parallel track called GRIT@Gov places graduates in 60 public sector agencies, from the National Library Board to various ministries. These positions offer exposure to everything from policy work to community programs, expanding career options beyond the private sector.

The Ripple Effect

Singapore's job market is proving more resilient than many expected. Entry-level professional roles jumped from 31,000 to 39,000 between June and September 2025, signaling growing opportunities for young workers.

By September, nearly 70 percent of 2025 university graduates had already secured jobs. That number continues climbing as more students discover programs like GRIT and attend the 14 career fairs organized specifically for the graduating class.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng recognizes the anxiety young people face entering the workforce. "We empathize with the concerns that young people have about their first job," he said during a visit to meet trainees. "The encouraging sign is that many opportunities are available for those who are ready to take the next step."

Companies are benefiting too. Thales Solutions Asia, which employs 2,100 staff in Singapore, took on five trainees to help develop talent for the aerospace industry. CEO Emily Tan emphasized the value of providing structured training to newcomers entering the workforce.

The program addresses a real challenge: graduates often lack the experience employers seek, while companies struggle to find trained talent. GRIT creates a win for both sides, turning anxious job seekers into confident professionals ready for permanent positions.

Young Singaporeans now have a clearer path from graduation to meaningful employment, one traineeship at a time.