Forum: GRIT complemented by other initiatives to enable workers to build career health
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We thank Mr Liu Fook Thim for his letter “Forum: Make graduate traineeship scheme more than a stop-gap measure” (Aug 26).
The GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) programme aims to help fresh graduates gain industry experience and practical skills, strengthening their employability during a period of weaker hiring demand.
The traineeships will be offered in sectors and jobs that continue to have good long-term prospects and sustainable demand.
For a start, they will be offered by leading companies such as Grab, Micron, OCBC and ST Engineering in key growth sectors including financial services, information and communication technology, manufacturing and wholesale trade.
The traineeships are also for jobs with strong potential for future career development, such as data science, strategy and planning, business analytics, digital marketing and engineering-related roles.
While GRIT is a temporary measure to support young Singaporeans in this period of greater economic uncertainty, it will be complemented by structural initiatives such as employment support and career guidance offered by autonomous universities’ career centres, Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.
The Government also recognises the importance of building up pathways to good jobs in blue-collar roles, in the skilled trades, and in the care sector. This is in line with efforts under Forward Singapore to better respect and reward every job, and to improve recognition for those in “hands” and “heart” jobs.
Through GRIT and other initiatives, MOM and WSG will continue to enable all our workers, including blue-collar workers, to build their career health and navigate the current uncertain economic climate with resilience.
Zhuo Gangwei
Divisional Director, Manpower Policy and Planning Division
Ministry of Manpower
