One of our Party’s foremost champions for PMETs, labour MP Patrick Tay (Pioneer SMC) is pushing the government to do even more for fresh graduates.
Generative AI can add to the US tariffs to hinder fresh graduates, noted MP Tay. (July 7)
“Unemployment could worsen this year, especially with the Trump tariffs affecting global trade and economic outlook compounded by the pace of AI,” he said. “Some graduates are pivoting careers and pursuing upskilling/post-grad programmes due to limited job prospects, and internships are becoming stepping stones to full-time roles.”
“In this new age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the likes of GenAI and Agentic AI, I am concerned that the unemployment issue may be further exacerbated alongside a higher prevalence of underemployment,” added MP Tay, who is also Assistant Secretary-General of the NTUC.
“Maybe we should start revisiting and adapting some of our initiatives if the situation worsens,” he continued, highlighting his 2024 commentary on embracing AI to save jobs, and noting that generative AI can add to graduate underemployment issues.
MP Tay is also tapping upon his longstanding work with unions, calling upon them to support fresh graduates.
“I’m calling on tripartite partners to come together and create more pathways for our fresh graduates to enter meaningful careers,” he said. “Supporting them now is an investment in Singapore’s continued success in the AI age.”
Recognising the threat that high tariffs and artificial intelligence (AI) poses to jobs, PAP MPs are committed to ensuring Singaporean graduates find meaningful jobs. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang added to MP Patrick Tay’s comments when she met with polytechnic students this week.
“We understand that one group that might be more anxious about the current job market is fresh graduates, who may be just starting on their job search,” said MOS Gan. “Some parents are also worried about what it means for their children to graduate into this uncertain economic environment.”
MOS Gan Siow Huang also met with education and career coaches (ECCs) from Singapore’s Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) earlier this week (7 Jul). They brainstormed how the PAP government can better support fresh graduates starting their careers.
“Our IHLs have stepped up their career guidance efforts to better support graduates in their job search,” said MOS Gan to the students.
“WSG [Workforce Singapore] has also introduced the Polaris by volunteer career advisors [VCA] initiative to connect young workforce entrants with industry experts for insights on career paths, access to industry knowledge and professional networks, and personalised career planning with a career development plan,” she continued.
MOS Gan has mentioned previously that IHLs have a wide range of services helping fresh graduates find employment.
The services include industry immersion programmes and internships. They allow students to apply skills they have learnt in school to the workplace — and learn new ones as well.
IHLs also have career services and resources to help a student’s résumé fit job applications better.
MOS Gan’s efforts are part of the PAP government’s ongoing Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT) programme, which was set up in April 2025 in light of the US tariffs situation.
This taskforce’s remit is to mitigate the impact on businesses, workers and job seekers, including fresh graduates, and will provide fresh graduates and graduates overall with more support.
“I want to reassure graduates and their families that our economy and job market remains resilient, and opportunities remain available,” said MOS Gan. “We encourage our graduates to keep an open mind to different kinds of jobs and expand their job search to find more opportunities.”
Resources for fresh graduates
