Post-pandemic job market, economic uncertainty behind dip in full-time hires for poly grads: MOM

In a written parliamentary reply on 3 February 2026, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng addressed concerns about the continued decline in the full-time permanent employment rate for polytechnic graduates since 2022, citing two key factors: a correction from post-pandemic hiring highs, and more cautious employer sentiment amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

The response was issued to Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC), who had asked what accounted for the decline, and whether the Ministry would consider reviewing S Pass dependency ratio ceilings in sectors where local hiring of polytechnic graduates had fallen.

Dr Tan said that the dip in full-time permanent employment rates should be viewed in the context of a normalisation following unusually high employment outcomes during the immediate post-COVID recovery period.

The latest Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey, released on 15 January 2026, showed that 90% of polytechnic graduates in the labour force found employment within six months of completing their studies or National Service in 2025.

This marked a slight decline from 90.4% in 2024, and a more significant drop from the 95.8% peak in 2023.

Of those employed in 2025, 54.2% secured full-time permanent positions, while 28.2% were in part-time or temporary roles, the majority by choice. Another 4.8% were freelancers, and 2.3% had accepted job offers but had not started. A further 0.6% were preparing to launch their own ventures.

Around 7.1% of graduates were actively job-seeking without receiving offers, while 1.3% had turned down full-time offers, and 1.6% had not searched for such roles.

Dr Tan noted that over the past decade, polytechnic graduate employment outcomes have been relatively stable, with approximately 9 in 10 graduates securing employment within six months.

He also highlighted an increase in entry-level job opportunities, with 39,000 PMET vacancies recorded in September 2025—up from 31,000 in June that year. These included roles in high-growth sectors such as information and communications, financial services, and professional services.

Responding to concerns about a rise in involuntary part-time employment, Dr Tan did not provide specific figures, but stated that many graduates choose part-time arrangements voluntarily, and that support systems remain available for those facing difficulties.

On foreign manpower, he said that the S Pass Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRCs) are already tight—set at 10% for the Services sector and 15% for other sectors. MOM has also been progressively increasing S Pass qualifying salaries to prevent wage undercutting of local associate professionals and technicians.

“Our foreign workforce policy aims to provide businesses with access to skilled foreign manpower, while encouraging them to build a strong local core,” he said.

Dr Tan added that the Government works closely with polytechnics and industry partners to ensure graduates are equipped with industry-relevant skills, including through internships and career guidance.

He encouraged graduates needing further support to approach their polytechnic career services, or external providers such as Workforce Singapore (WSG) and NTUC’s e2i centres.

The joint polytechnic release that accompanied the employment survey also noted that employment rates typically improve beyond the six-month mark, and that the 2025 cohort is expected to follow similar trends seen in prior years.