‘It's a systemic problem': WP NCMPs invite Singapore's fresh grads to share their job search experiences
In video messages released over the weekend, Mr Low reassured the youth who find themselves in this boat that 'It's a systemic problem, and not yours to find alone.'
Ms Chong, meanwhile, said, 'We hope to help you amplify your voices.' @thehammertok
CALLING ALL FRESH GRADS 🎓🗣️📣 ARE YOU 🫵 facing challenges 😩 in securing a job? 🧑💻 let us know your thoughts about this issue! 🤔🩵 #wpsg #singapore #youth #unemployment #jobmarket @Andre Low
♬ original sound – The Workers' Party 🔨 – The Workers' Party 🔨
Mr Low noted the four gaps that make the job search hard for new graduates—skills, experience, opportunities, and expectations—and added that the latest generation to enter the workforce faces 'enormous' challenges, including economic volatility, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology.
For her part, Ms Chong, who is the president of the WP's Youth Wing, asked fresh grads who have been able to find employment about the nature of their jobs: whether they're actually underemployed and if they've been able to secure full-time permanent roles or temporary contractual ones.
'Whether you're a recent graduate, a current student, or a parent of someone navigating today's job market, we want to hear from you,' said Mr Low. He and Ms Chong are inviting people to share their job search experiences, creative solutions, and the challenges they still face.
Those who are interested in doing so may send either of the two NCMPs a direct message on Instagram via @andrelow.sg or @eileenchongps. They may also email Mr Low at [email protected] or Ms Chong at [email protected].
In another video, the two noted that while it has been reported that graduate employment is up by 4% year on year, this may not be the experience of some young Singaporeans. @thehammertok
hear from our youths about what they have to say about the job market 🥲 i think we are cooked – struggling admin trying to find a job too #wpsg #singapore #youth #unemployment #jobmarket
♬ original sound – The Workers' Party 🔨 – The Workers' Party 🔨
The clip featured a young woman who said that her friends who have just graduated 'have not been able to find a job for months.' A young man, meanwhile, talked about people he knows who want a certain job but end up taking another, just to make a living.
Last month, the WP MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) highlighted the growing trend of companies hiring interns instead of fresh graduates, saying he had been hearing from residents who have recently graduated about how difficult it is to secure a job at the moment.
The young residents who spoke to him said that some of their peers have been looking for jobs for several months or even more than a year and have been unsuccessful in securing an offer for a full-time job. /TISG
Read also: WP MP Louis Chua highlights increasing trend of companies hiring interns instead of fresh graduates See also Tech salaries climb slowly after turbulent 2024
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If there's one dish Teo recommends trying, it's the CB Bistro Burger. Whenever he dines out, Teo is often on the lookout for a good burger. 'Some chefs think it's beneath them to put a burger on the menu. That has always mystified me, because there are good burgers and not-so-good burgers.' The drink menu was developed in collaboration with cocktail maestro Jay Gray, formerly from cocktail bar Sago House. Distillius' aperitifs, liqueurs and syrups are naturally core to the menu. There are four key cocktails – the Arveau Lychee Spritz, Chocolate and Spice Negroni, Arveau Espresso Martini and Old Fashion Pandan – along with non-alcoholic options crafted with Distillius' range of syrups and equatorial botanicals such as roselle, torchflower and black lime. As for Teo's vision for the bistro and distillery, he is content to take things one step a time. 'We will put our very best into it and the way we've worked in the past is to be open to the universe and see what happens.' It's the same guiding principle that underpinned the success of PS Cafe over the decades, which began in 1999 as a spin-off from fashion brand Projectshop. 'We started with souvenir T-shirts, then we did womenswear, menswear, bags and then we had the cafe. We've always got something new and creative on the boil, and one thing always leads to another.' A SENSE OF FAMILY The F&B industry is tough business and Teo is cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead. 'There's never a good time to open a restaurant. There are so many restaurants closing, but at the same time, the statistics show that there are just as many opening,' said Teo, jokingly adding with a chuckle that 'the best business to be in is the kitchen supply business'. Despite what the numbers may show, Teo believes people are always looking for comforting, familiar places they can regularly go back to. 'That's what PS Cafe was for many people, with something for everyone on the menu.' Yet, Teo admits to worrying that 'there are some things people know that I don't'. 'The market has changed. We exited the business three years ago,' he acknowledged. 'But I've done F&B for so long to know there will always be new challenges. So, just hantam lah,' he laughed. What ultimately pulled him out of retirement and back into the F&B scene is the sense of family. 'It's about talking with the chef, with the front of house team. These bonds you form that are so special. I don't have a family of my own so this is my family,' quipped Teo. This collective spirit is encapsulated in a painting that hangs prominently in the bistro's main dining room – a commissioned work by Singaporean artist Jimmy Ong, a long-time friend of Teo's. Titled 'Gathering after the Monsoon', it depicts a team working together in the aftermath of a storm, shrouded amid tropical foliage. 'I wanted to have something [in the bistro] that showcases how it takes a village to build a successful business,' said Teo. DEFINING SUCCESS Having built a legacy with PS Cafe, and now starting a new chapter, how does Teo define success today? 'I feel like I don't have so much to prove anymore. We created a great business that's still a great brand and passed it on for its next iteration. Success, for me, is about enjoying my journey now and most importantly, working with the team of younger people who are passionate about the industry." In fact, what energises him the most is mentoring the next generation of 'wide-eyed and bushy-tailed' F&B talent. When asked for advice he would give to young people in the industry, he takes a moment to pause before answering: 'I've always believed the best advice you can give someone is to be a good example." That's what Teo hopes they did with PS Cafe. 'We showed that you can open a single cafe and it can grow, and at some point, you can pass it on to the next owner,' Teo reflected. While Teo is careful 'not to sound arrogant', he takes pride in the fact that cafes in Singapore have drawn inspiration from the brand. 'I feel happy that we've played a part in creating a very dynamic cafe and casual dining scene in Singapore. Our DNA is almost everywhere you look,' he said. 'I try to do things effortlessly and in a natural way,' he continued. 'I honestly feel like I'm also learning all the time and I'm terrified on whether [this new venture] is going to be successful or not. I can only do my best and if this ends up meaning something to someone, then I think I've done my job.'
