NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates
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SINGAPORE - ITE, polytechnic and university graduates can soon tap a new government-funded traineeship scheme aimed at beefing up employability for young Singaporeans and giving them more career choices.
The initiative will expand from the one first introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many companies had stopped hiring for full-time jobs , but some were prepared to give traineeships.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in his Rally speech on Aug 17, said the traineeships gave fresh graduates a chance to gain real world experience.
'They received an allowance during the training. And they could keep their skills sharp, so that when the economy recovered, they would be in a better position to secure full-time jobs,' he added.
Today, firms continue to provide traineeship opportunities, but government support will mean more training opportunities, he added.
'So we will launch a new government-funded traineeship programme – for ITE, polytechnic and university graduates... and if the economy worsens, we will scale up the programme.'
PM Wong added that a task force will provide details soon.
The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce - helmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong - was formed earlier in 2025.
It will explore ways to help businesses and workers navigate uncertainties arising from US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, and uneven global trade winds.
One trainee who found success after a traineeship, PM Wong said, is Ms Syainda Abdul Halil.
She graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic in 2021, in the thick of the pandemic, and after doing well during a traineeship stint at financial services firm JP Morgan, was offered a full-time job.
Ms Syainda, who was just promoted to the role of associate technology project manager, also fell in love with a fellow trainee, and is now married, PM Wong added.
This time, the scheme will be a rolled out with a key focus, as part of efforts to grow the economy and create good jobs for Singaporeans, he added.
PM Wong said young Singaporeans harbour concerns about the uncertain economic climate.
'After graduation, I know many are concerned about jobs – especially with the current economic uncertainty.'
The new scheme will provide fresh graduates an avenue to explore different career pathways, and feel supported at the same time.'
Young Singaporeans are no longer limited to traditional career options, and have more diverse pathways to pursue their interests and chase their dreams, he added.
They have more pathways to explore , from start-ups and social enterprises to the arts, sports and creative industries, or even striking out on their own as content creators and changemakers in their communities.
PM Wong said: 'There's no single route to success. What matters is that they feel supported - to grow, to experiment, to take risks, and find their own way forward.
'That's what the Government will do – we will back you with opportunities, resources and guidance.'
Apart from jobs, the Government will continue to focus on areas important to young Singaporeans - such as housing and parenting.
More Housing Board flats with higher subsidies have been built, PM Wong said, and initiatives like more leave for young parents and help to reduce parenting costs have been rolled out.
For example, HDB said it will
increase subsidies for four Prime projects in Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh and Clementi, to keep the Build-To-Order (BTO) flats affordable for more Singaporeans.
In his Budget speech in February, PM Wong also spoke about initiatives aimed at large families, for instance, up to $16,000 in additional support for each third and subsequent child born on or after Feb 18.
Parents-to-be will also get
a total of 30 weeks of government-paid parental leave by April 1, 2026.
PM Wong added that the Government is studying additional measures to better support Singaporeans through every stage of their life.
For students and young Singaporeans, growing up is not easy today, he added.
He said: 'The world today can feel overwhelming. The future, at times, distant and unclear. But I say to you - do not fear. You are not alone on this journey.
'We see you, we hear you, and we will walk with you - every step of the way. To all young Singaporeans, Go forth, chase your rainbow, and blaze your own trail.'
Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here:
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