Common career track at ministries for degree, non-degree holders: Teo Chee Hean

SINGAPORE — From August, university degree holders and non-degree holders will be recruited on and progress along a common career track at government ministries, said Minister-in-charge of the Civil Service Teo Chee Hean today (March 10).

While they may have different starting salaries, they will progress in one career scheme, based on performance and readiness to take on larger roles.

“Officers assessed to have the same performance and potential will have the same opportunities for advancement and career development, whether they are degree holders or not,” said Mr Teo, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.

Last August, the Public Service Division (PSD) announced it would study if the Management Support and Management Executive schemes could be merged.

Currently, most non-graduates are hired under the Management Support Scheme while graduates are placed on the Management Executive Scheme, although several public agencies such as the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore already have a single scheme.

Today, Mr Teo said both degree and non-degree holders would be recruited on the Management Executive Scheme from August.

There are about 7,000 officers on the Management Executive Scheme and around 5,700 officers on the Management Support Scheme, according to the PSD.

Mr Teo said the change will be accompanied by a re-design of jobs and responsibilities, so that the Civil Service can make “full use of the abilities and potential of our officers”.

Today’s announcement was the latest in a series of moves to support aspirations of non-graduates after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally last year. From last October, Management Support officers who perform well could expect their first promotion within two to four years, compared to the three to six years previously.

Although academic or professional qualifications are necessary for certain jobs, such as in medicine, law or accountancy, relevant work experience would be a better proxy of ability and suitability for mid-career candidates, said Mr Teo.

His remarks came after Ang Mo Kio Member of Parliament Inderjit Singh related how an over-emphasis on academic qualifications had impacted two Singaporeans.

One was an Institute of Technical Education graduate who got a degree in Australia and wanted to join the uniformed services. He was rejected by the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team, which cited his “unrecognised academic qualifications”, said Mr Singh.

The other was advertising high-flier Calvin Soh — former Asia Pacific vice-chairman and chief creative officer of Publicis — who had an invitation from a local university to speak to students rescinded when it realised his highest academic qualification was an ‘O’ Levels certificate.

“As we encourage companies to employ and reward those with specific skills, the State as the largest employer in Singapore, through the Civil Service and uniformed services, (must) lead the way,” said Mr Singh.