SINGAPORE — In the midst of a weaker jobs market during the Covid-19 outbreak, more than 280 companies in the private and public sectors will offer more than 4,000 opportunities for recent graduates under a S$100 million traineeship programme.

These firms include telecommunications giant Singtel, DBS Bank, infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong and the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and government agency Workforce Singapore (WSG) said in a statement on Friday (April 24).

The initiative is part of the SGUnited Traineeships Programme, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat last month, which plans to eventually offer up to 8,000 traineeship opportunities this year for first-time jobseekers in a range of fields from life sciences to the arts. 

These stints, which will run up to 12 months, will allow jobseekers to develop skills and build professional networks and thereby boost their employability when the economy rebounds and hiring demand returns. 

To qualify, trainees must be Singaporeans or permanent residents who graduated or are graduating in 2019 or this year from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics, universities and other institutions, such as private universities and overseas institutions. Young men who graduated earlier but completed National Service in 2019 or 2020 may also apply. 

The Government will subsidise 80 per cent of a trainee’s monthly allowance, with the host company paying the rest.

Allowances will vary based on the scope and skills needed for the traineeship.

For instance, university graduates could receive between S$1,800 and S$2,500, and polytechnic diploma holders could get S$1,300 to S$1,800. Those with ITE qualifications could receive S$1,100 to S$1,500.

The Singapore Business Federation, the programme manager appointed by WSG, will work with companies to review and approve the scope and development plans of their proposed traineeships. 

Mr Tan Choon Shian, WSG’s chief executive officer, said: “We are heartened that despite difficult business conditions during the Covid-19 outbreak, many firms, large and small, have stepped forward to join the SGUnited Traineeships Programme.

“With these firms participating as hosting companies, our fresh graduates will be able to use this traineeship period to prepare themselves for the eventual recovery.” 

In a statement, Singtel said it would hire more than 500 trainees who will complete four- to 12-month stints. They will be assigned to functions such as engineering, finance, communications and marketing.

Its group chief human resources officer Aileen Tan said: “As a homegrown company, we want to support and help tide fresh graduates over the current challenging jobs situation, as the economic impact of Covid-19 will no doubt make this one of the toughest recruitment seasons in recent years.”

MOM and WSG called on firms with the capacity to provide traineeship opportunities to do so. 

“Host companies benefit by gaining access to a qualified pool of fresh talent and can consider hiring well-performing trainees as permanent employees after the traineeship period when business conditions stabilise,” they said.

Based on the latest statistics from the Education Ministry's website, 13,421 students graduated from ITE in 2018, 22,614 from polytechnics and 16,823 from universities.

200 FULL-TIME ROLES, 800 TRAINEESHIPS AT NUS

NUS, Singapore’s leading public university, will make available 200 full-time salaried positions and 800 paid traineeships for its graduating students.

The university said on Friday that the full-time positions would be spread across NUS’ central administration, its 17 faculties and schools, 29 research institutes and centres as well as the National University Health System.

Its traineeship opportunities will last up to 12 months and be split into four tracks: Executive and professional, education, research, and entrepreneurship. They come with personalised mentorship and development plans, and are open to bachelor’s, master’s and PhD graduates.

Those in the executive and professional track, for instance, will take part in administrative and executive functions, including corporate planning, human resources and procurement. Trainees in the research track will work with NUS scientists to carry out research, especially as part of projects with an industry partner, the university said.

NUS added that all trainees may also attend a range of continuing education and training courses for free. 

The university also said that graduating students who enrol in its master’s programmes may postpone the payment of course fees, without having to pay interest, for up to three years from enrolment.

More information on opportunities under the SGUnited Traineeships Programme will be available at MyCareersFuture.sg.