Factors for Continued Decline in Full-time Permanent Employment Rate for Polytechnic Graduates Since 2022

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what factors contributed to the (i) continued decline in the full-time permanent employment rate for polytechnic graduates since 2022 and (ii) increase in involuntary part-time employment rate over the same period; and (b) whether the Ministry will intervene in sectors with significant reductions in local polytechnic graduate hires, including by reviewing S-Pass dependency ratio ceilings.

The change in polytechnic graduate employment rates since 2022 reflects a moderation from a post-pandemic surge in hiring, when employment rates were elevated compared to historical norms. It also reflects a more cautious hiring sentiment amid broader economic uncertainty and geopolitical developments.

Looking at the longer-term trends, polytechnic graduate outcomes have remained stable in the last 10 years, with around nine in 10 graduates securing employment within six months after graduation. Entry-level job opportunities for fresh graduates also remain available, with about 39,000 entry-level Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians vacancies in September 2025, up from 31,000 in June 2025.

We regularly review the polytechnic curriculum to equip graduates with industry-ready skills. Our polytechnics collaborate closely with industry partners to provide industry exposure opportunities, such as internships for our polytechnic students.

Our foreign workforce policy aims to provide business with access to skilled foreign manpower whilst encouraging them to build a strong local core. The S Pass Dependency Ratio Ceilings are already kept tight at 10% in Services, and 15% in the other sectors. In addition, the Ministry of Manpower has been progressively increasing the S Pass Qualifying Salary to raise the quality of S Pass holders, and ensure that they do not undercut the wages of local associate professionals and technicians.

We will continue to work together with our polytechnics and industry partners to support our fresh graduates in finding good jobs. Graduates who require more help to find a job can approach their polytechnics' career services centre, Workforce Singapore or NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute's career centres for additional assistance.