Title: Enhancing Employability of Fresh Graduates in Singapore: An Examination of the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) Programme
Abstract:
The Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) programme, introduced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) in October 2025, aims to provide fresh graduates with hands-on working experience across various industries. This paper examines the programme’s objectives, structure, and outcomes, with a focus on its potential to enhance the employability of fresh graduates in Singapore. We discuss the programme’s key features, including its collaboration with over 50 companies and 60 public sector agencies, and its provision of structured traineeships and paid allowances. Our analysis highlights the programme’s potential to address the concerns of young people regarding their first job and to facilitate their transition into full-time employment. We also explore the programme’s implications for the labour market in Singapore, including the increase in entry-level professional, managerial, executive, and technical (PMETs) roles.
Introduction:
The transition from university to the workforce can be a challenging experience for fresh graduates. In Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have introduced the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) programme to provide fresh graduates with hands-on working experience across various industries. The programme aims to enhance the employability of fresh graduates and facilitate their transition into full-time employment. This paper examines the programme’s objectives, structure, and outcomes, with a focus on its potential to address the concerns of young people regarding their first job.
Background:
The GRIT programme was rolled out in October 2025, with the objective of providing fresh graduates with structured traineeships and paid allowances to gain hands-on working experience. The programme is designed to help graduates develop relevant skills and knowledge, and to facilitate their transition into full-time employment. The programme’s introduction is timely, given the concerns of young people regarding their first job and the need for them to develop relevant skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce.
Programme Structure:
The GRIT programme is structured to provide fresh graduates with hands-on working experience across various industries. The programme collaborates with over 50 companies and 60 public sector agencies, including DBS Bank, LinkedIn Singapore, OCBC, Razer Asia-Pacific, UOB, Sats, and ST Engineering. The programme offers traineeships in niche technical roles and wider, cross-functional positions that reflect a spectrum of skills. The traineeships are structured to last between three to six months, during which trainees are paid an allowance.
Outcomes:
The GRIT programme has achieved significant outcomes since its introduction in October 2025. Around 350 trainees have been placed with organisations under the programme, with many more expected to be placed in the coming months. The programme has also led to an increase in entry-level PMETs roles, from 31,000 to 39,000, from June to September 2025. This increase in PMETs roles is significant, given the need for fresh graduates to develop relevant skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce.
Implications:
The GRIT programme has significant implications for the labour market in Singapore. The programme’s focus on providing fresh graduates with hands-on working experience and relevant skills and knowledge is likely to enhance their employability and facilitate their transition into full-time employment. The programme’s collaboration with over 50 companies and 60 public sector agencies also highlights the importance of industry partnerships in developing the skills and knowledge of fresh graduates. Furthermore, the programme’s provision of paid allowances to trainees is likely to incentivize fresh graduates to participate in the programme and gain valuable work experience.
Conclusion:
The GRIT programme is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the employability of fresh graduates in Singapore. The programme’s focus on providing hands-on working experience, relevant skills and knowledge, and paid allowances is likely to facilitate the transition of fresh graduates into full-time employment. The programme’s collaboration with industry partners and public sector agencies also highlights the importance of partnerships in developing the skills and knowledge of fresh graduates. As the labour market in Singapore continues to evolve, the GRIT programme is likely to play a critical role in addressing the concerns of young people regarding their first job and enhancing their employability.
Recommendations:
Based on our analysis, we recommend that the GRIT programme be continued and expanded to reach more fresh graduates. The programme’s focus on providing hands-on working experience, relevant skills and knowledge, and paid allowances should be maintained, and industry partnerships should be strengthened to develop the skills and knowledge of fresh graduates. Furthermore, the programme’s outcomes should be continuously monitored and evaluated to ensure that it is achieving its objectives and making a positive impact on the labour market in Singapore.
Future Research Directions:
Future research should focus on evaluating the long-term outcomes of the GRIT programme, including its impact on the employability and career advancement of fresh graduates. Research should also explore the programme’s effectiveness in addressing the concerns of young people regarding their first job and its potential to enhance the skills and knowledge of fresh graduates. Additionally, research should investigate the programme’s implications for the labour market in Singapore, including its potential to address labour market shortages and skills gaps.