NTUC steps up job-matching and career support for fresh graduates

• NTUC is strengthening job-matching and career support for youths entering an AI-enabled workforce.
• Three July career events conducted over 800 interviews for more than 900 vacancies.
• NTUC Youth will expand the Starter Awards intake by 50 per cent to 150 students. 
  
   

Fresh graduates in Singapore will get more support connecting directly with employers as NTUC steps up its focus on job-matching and career readiness for young people entering the workforce.

The move comes amid concerns over the transition from school to work, with NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng highlighting that some young people are having difficulty securing their first job.

Speaking at the NTUC Youth Homecoming: Chapter 21 and Forward dinner on 19 August 2026, Mr Ng cited a report by the International Labour Organization. He said young people in higher-income countries are increasingly expressing fear that their jobs will be replaced by technology.

Against this backdrop, NTUC and NTUC's e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) are increasing efforts to connect graduating students and young professionals with employers, while providing career guidance and skills support before they enter the workforce.

More than 900 vacancies offered at youth career fair

Three youth-focused career events held in July brought together more than 50 employers offering about 300 entry-level roles and more than 900 vacancies.

The opportunities covered sectors including technology and cybersecurity, engineering, finance and professional services.

More than 800 on-site interviews were conducted, giving graduates direct access to employers and a concrete next step towards employment.

Starting career support before graduation

The increased focus on employment comes as artificial intelligence changes both the skills employers need and the way young people begin their careers.

Mr Ng said that while the challenges with technology like AI are real, they will create opportunities, new business models and new forms of growth that Singapore is well-placed to embark on.

He added that young people need access to information, workplace skills and exposure to employers willing to give them a fair start. Support should therefore begin before graduation, rather than only after someone becomes unemployed.

“We want our youth to be prepared not just for their first job, but for a future of continuous learning, adaptation and growth,” he said.

Graduating students can receive personalised career coaching and guidance through NTUC’s e2i and use self-help tools such as the NTUC AI Career Coach.

NTUC’s e2i also works with employers and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) to connect young people with opportunities through career fairs and workshops.

For those already in their first jobs, NTUC Youth and NTUC PME offer programmes aimed at helping them understand industry trends, future skills and career opportunities, as well as build their professional networks.

NTUC is also supporting young people to build AI literacy through NTUC AI-Ready SG, with access to training and AI tools through the Union Training Assistance Programme.

Career preparation to start before graduation

The Labour Movement's strategy also seeks to move career preparation further upstream, while young people are still studying.

NTUC Youth's Ready to EXCEL programme, run in partnership with NTUC’s e2i, covers practical areas including resume writing, career planning, interview skills and building a professional digital presence.

Through NTUC Youth Industry Days, NTUC industrial relations officers, industry professionals, human resource practitioners and young employees are brought directly to students. They share practical insights into workplace expectations, employment rights, industry realities and career pathways.

Starter Awards intake to increase by 50 per cent

NTUC Youth will also increase the intake for the third edition of the NTUC Starter Awards, bringing the next cohort to 150 students.

Since the bond-free scholarship programme was piloted in 2024, 135 students have benefitted from it.

The programme will also expand to Nanyang Technological University, bringing the total number of partner IHLs to nine.

The awards offer up to $6,000 for ITE students, $9,000 for polytechnic students and $16,000 for university students.

Applications will be open from 20 August to 25 October 2026.

Beyond financial support, recipients undergo a one-year leadership development journey that includes community engagement, mentorship and networking opportunities.

Supporting young workers beyond their first job

The announcements were made as NTUC Youth marked its 21^st anniversary.

Established in 2005, the youth wing has expanded its engagement in recent years, reaching more than 16,000 young people through its programmes and initiatives over the past three years.

NTUC Youth is also planning Career Fitness Roadshows at IHLs and public spaces, aimed at helping young people assess their strengths, explore career opportunities and prepare for changing workplace demands.

Beyond employability, NTUC wants young people to take a greater role in shaping workplace issues affecting their generation, including through initiatives such as the Youth Champions Project, which has explored issues including quality internships and challenges facing new entrants to the workforce.

Mr Ng urged young people to view career uncertainty not simply as something to endure, but as a reason to build their skills, networks and experience.

As AI becomes a more permanent feature of working life, he said the aim was to prepare young Singaporeans not only to enter the workforce, but to continue adapting throughout their careers.

Click here for more information on the NTUC Starter Awards.