Tracking of Degree and Diploma Courses with Consistent Poor Wage Outcomes

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry tracks all degree and diploma courses that consistently have the poorest outcomes in terms of (i) wages and (ii) securing full-time permanent employment within six months; and (b) if so, what are these courses.

The Ministry of Education monitors the employment outcomes of courses offered by the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) through the annual Graduate Employment Survey, conducted by the IHLs six months after graduation. Fluctuations in the employment rates for courses across years are to be expected, and can be due to various factors, including labour market conditions, economic cycles and sector-specific trends. There is no degree or diploma course that consistently ranks among the lowest, in terms of full-time permanent employment rates and median salaries, six months post-graduation.