Debated in Parliament on 22 Sep 2025.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what strategies are being deployed to improve employment outcomes for youths, particularly those who are not in employment, education or training (NEET); (b) how does the Ministry intend to re-engage this group effectively; (c) what is the current proportion of graduating students taking up contract roles rather than permanent employment; and (d) whether this trend has shifted in recent years.
The rate of youths who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) in Singapore has remained low at 4.1%, representing 16,900 youths in 2024. The rate is also much lower compared to other developed countries, such as Sweden at 5.5% and the United Kingdom at 13%. This reflects the strong engagement of youths in both the labour market and education or training pathways in Singapore.
Throughout their schooling years, students receive education and career guidance (ECG) by ECG counsellors to help them discover their strengths, interests and sense of purpose, and thus facilitate their transition into the workforce. NEET youths who wish to return to education can reach out to the respective educational institutions or to the ECG Centre @ MOE for ECG advice. All Institutes of Higher Learning extend their career services to graduates and recent alumni.
In addition to ECG, youths can tap on a range of career matching and reskilling programmes and services offered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and its partners. This includes career advisory and coaching services provided by WSG and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), which can be complemented with industry insights offered by WSG's Volunteer Career Advisors. Youths can look for job opportunities on WSG's MyCareersFuture portal, utilising its CareersFinders feature to explore potential careers and upskilling options.
We recognise that some NEET youths face complex difficulties. The Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth have a network of support programmes to support youths with varying needs. This includes the Mentoring SG movement, which provides mentorship and can guide NEET youths to navigate life transitions and challenges.
The Member may refer to the reply to be given on 23 September on graduate employment and the GRaduate Industry Traineeships programme for the statistics on graduating students taking up contract roles. [Please refer to "Reasons for Lower Proportion of Fresh Graduates in Full-time Employment and Extent of Help from GRaduate Industry Traineeship Programme", Official Report, 23 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 3, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
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