Fresh graduates who are still looking for jobs can now gain valuable work experience through a new government initiative, the GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) scheme.
The scheme, first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally, will provide up to 800 job placements to help young job seekers.
Responding to the launch of GRIT, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said in a Facebook post that he welcomed the initiative.
He noted that many young people are understandably anxious about entering the workforce in uncertain times, and programmes like GRIT can give them valuable industry exposure, help build confidence, and strengthen their skills.
Ng also highlighted that employers stand to benefit from tapping into a pool of capable young talent. He stressed that NTUC will continue working with the government to support young workers, not just in finding jobs but also in building meaningful careers.
“At NTUC, we will continue working with the Government to strengthen support for our graduates, to help them not just find jobs, but also build meaningful careers. Because every young worker matters,” he wrote.
Provides training allowance up to $2,400 a month
Under the programme, graduates can join private companies or government agencies for three to six months. They will receive a training allowance of $1,800 to $2,400 a month, with the government funding 70 per cent and employers covering the rest. Applications will open in October, but interested graduates can register early through THIS link.
The scheme is open to Singaporeans and PRs who graduated last year or this year from local universities, polytechnics, and ITE. Graduates from private universities and overseas institutions can also apply. Those who completed National Service last year or this year after graduating earlier are also eligible.
Sharing the details of GRIT on Friday (22 August), Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng explained that although the labour market remains robust and most graduates are securing employment, the government acknowledges the anxiety that young people and their families may experience. The traineeships aim to provide industry experience, enhance skills, and expand career opportunities.
Full-time roles also available
Companies such as OCBC, Grab, ST Engineering, and Sea Group will be offering placements in fields like business data analysis, digital marketing, and engineering. The Public Service Division will also coordinate opportunities in government agencies under GRIT@Gov.
Dr Tan emphasised that, beyond these 800 traineeship positions, around 2,400 full-time roles remain available in the public service. Unlike the COVID-19 era SGUnited traineeships, GRIT will be shorter in duration, reflecting the resilience of today’s job market.
If the economy worsens, the government may consider expanding the scheme, depending on indicators such as GDP growth, unemployment rates, and graduate employment outcomes.
Traineeship roles will be posted on MyCareersFuture and Careers@Gov, and graduates can register online to receive updates.
