Singapore to create 15,700 jobs over five years, with two-thirds paying above $5,000: EDB

SINGAPORE - Investment commitments made in Singapore in 2025 are expected to create 15,700 jobs here as these investments are realised over the next five years, with about two-thirds of the roles paying a gross monthly wage above $5,000.

Of the jobs created, 40 per cent will be in services, 37 per cent in manufacturing, and the remaining 23 per cent in research and development (R&D) and innovation. Most of the roles will be for professionals, managers, executives and technicians, said the Economic Development Board (EDB) on Feb 5.

Speaking at the statutory board’s 2025 year-in-review press conference at its office in Raffles City Tower, EDB chairman Png Cheong Boon said the new jobs will create opportunities for both fresh graduates and mid-career hires.

“They will offer meaningful career pathways for our workers, especially those who have the necessary expertise and have done well; they will also offer opportunities to learn new skills and to take on new roles,” he said.

The Republic secured $14.2 billion in fixed asset investments in 2025, up 5.2 per cent from 2024, despite a volatile global environment marked by rising economic fragmentation, unpredictable geopolitics and rapid technological change.

Despite the higher volume of investments made, the 15,700 jobs they will yield are the lowest in a decade, down about 16 per cent from the 18,700 projected in 2024.

EDB managing director Jermaine Loy noted that companies are being more conservative in their projections given the uncertain environment.

He said there are “some structural shifts at play as well, given higher automation and digitalisation across industries”.

Still, Mr Loy added, “the jobs expected to be created are good, high-value jobs that will offer meaningful career pathways for Singaporeans”.

EDB said that it continues to work with companies, training partners and industry associations to strengthen the competitiveness of the local workforce.

This includes advancing training initiatives to equip workers with in-demand skills, such as digital upskilling efforts by leading tech firms in areas like practical artificial intelligence (AI) application, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

There were also partnerships with institutes of higher learning to nurture local talent for R&D roles through EDB’s Industrial Postgraduate Programme.

EDB also noted that it is nurturing a strong pool of Singaporeans to take on leadership roles in global companies.

A total of 65 fellows were part of the second cohort of the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) Fellowship in 2025, up from 60 in 2024. The nine-month leadership development programme prepares mid- to senior-level Singaporean leaders for global roles, with a focus on general management and leadership in a global setting.

SGLN also launched the Overseas Transition Support programme and the SGLN Industry Interest Groups to enhance support for those with corporate leadership potential.

As part of its Global Business Leaders Programme, EDB partnered multinational companies across industries such as aerospace, energy and chemicals, precision engineering, logistics and consumer goods. Programme participants were posted to countries including China, Indonesia, Latvia, the Netherlands and the US in 2025.

EDB also attracted investments in growth areas such as AI, precision medicine, including manufacturing and R&D projects, the green economy, as well as next-generation hardware and mobility.

“EDB will continue to work with our companies, our industry partners and the Government to prepare and upskill Singaporeans so that we are well positioned to take on these new opportunities,” said Mr Loy.

Finding her niche in medical manufacturing

Among those who have benefited from these programmes is Ms Anisah Sazman, 34, a quality engineer at Fong’s Engineering and Manufacturing.

Ms Sazman oversees the end-to-end quality management for disposable pressure transducers – medical devices that measure pressure inside the body. Her work involves planning the manufacturing cycle from incoming materials to final production to customer delivery.

She said: “I started my career in medical device manufacturing before moving into the solar energy industry... I later switched back to medical devices as I felt it was my niche.

“My role here has a broader scope than my previous jobs, and I saw it as an opportunity to learn new skills and gain fresh experience.”

Longstanding passion for engineering

Mr Ravi Nithinathan, who is in his 60s, has been with Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia since 1988. He started as a warehouse assistant in quality control and rose through the ranks to become operations manager in 2012.

He currently oversees parts quality, manages inbound and outbound operations, and supports third-party logistics with product and technical information.

“Prior to joining Rolls-Royce, I served in the Singapore navy from 1978 to 1988, gaining extensive experience in engine components and maintenance – making this role a natural fit for my skills and background,” said Mr Nithinathan.

He said working in a multinational company has allowed him to take part in projects in Indonesia, South Korea and India, giving him valuable international exposure and a broader professional perspective.

“The workplace has a supportive environment where colleagues willingly share experiences and knowledge to help each other improve,” he said.

Fresh graduate working in the semiconductor industry

Ms Ashley Ling, 24, is an automation software engineer at semiconductor equipment supplier Ultra Clean Asia Pacific.

She sought an internship with the company during the final year of her studies, as it would allow her to continue learning while gaining practical experience.

“My internship with Ultra Clean Asia Pacific’s automation team provided a strong foundation for that goal – I worked closely with them and took on a significant role in the software development of an automation machine delivered to a services site,” she said.

“Continuing my journey with the company in my first corporate role felt like a natural progression – one that aligns closely with my technical interests and long-term professional development.”

Ms Ling said one of the advantages of working in a multinational company is the breadth of exposure it offers.

“We collaborate closely with sites across multiple countries to understand their operational challenges and develop automation solutions that are both practical and scalable,” she said.

“This experience has enabled me to learn from diverse working cultures while gaining meaningful insights into how manufacturing and automation practices differ across global operations.”