askST: What fresh graduates need to know about the new Graduate Industry Traineeships
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The stints will last three to six months across various growth sectors.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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- GRIT and GRIT@Gov offer structured traineeships for fresh graduates (2024/2025) in both private and public sectors. Applications begin October 2025.
- The programmes aim to equip graduates with practical skills. GRIT traineeships offer allowances of $1,800-$2,400.
- Opportunities are posted on MyCareersFuture and Careers@Gov portals. Trainees can exit early for full-time roles with adequate notice.
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SINGAPORE – A newly launched traineeship programme aims to support fresh graduates in getting industry experience as they pursue full-time employment.
Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) – helmed by the Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore (WSG) – support fresh graduates who are keen to gain exposure in private sector organisations.
Meanwhile, the GRIT@Gov programme – helmed by the Public Service Division – supports graduates in gaining experience in public sector agencies.
Up to 800 structured traineeships will initially be offered for fresh graduates from universities, polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and other educational institutions.
The stints will last three to six months across various growth sectors, namely financial services, information and communications technology, manufacturing and wholesale trade.
Here are some details about the traineeships.
When do applications open?
Applications open in October 2025.
Fresh graduates can register their interest at
Who is eligible?
Singapore citizens or permanent residents who graduated from the ITE, polytechnic and university, or from private universities and overseas institutions in 2024 and 2025, are eligible for these traineeships.
Those who graduated earlier and completed their national service in 2024 or 2025 may also apply.
Trainees completing their studies in 2025 but receiving their certification in 2026 are eligible as well.
Fresh graduates who recently completed a master’s degree, PhD or part-time degree and have not been in any full-time employment since graduation can apply too. The same traineeship stipend rates will apply to those with a master’s or PhD.
Those who graduated in 2023 or earlier are encouraged to explore opportunities through the Career Conversion Programme or apply for jobs available on portals like MyCareersFuture and Careers@Gov.
How will GRIT and GRIT@Gov help fresh graduates?
These traineeships are meant to equip fresh graduates with practical skills and experience to strengthen their chances of future employment.
The programme builds on the SGUnited Traineeships (SGUT) scheme that was rolled out during the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme facilitated longer-term employment for most trainees after they exited their traineeships, according to WSG.
What types of roles will be offered under the GRIT and GRIT@Gov programmes?
For private sector roles, several companies in key growth sectors, including Grab, Micron, OCBC Bank, ST Engineering, and Sea and its subsidiaries, will be offering traineeships.
Details on the types of traineeships under GRIT@Gov will be made available from October 2025.
How will traineeship matching and onboarding take place?
Vacancies for GRIT and GRIT@Gov will be posted on the MyCareersFuture portal. Vacancies for GRIT@Gov will also be posted on Careers@Gov.
Individuals can submit their applications directly to the host organisations, which will contact only shortlisted candidates directly for their internal selection process.
Will GRIT displace mid-career workers, and what safeguards are in place?
The allowance and duration of GRIT traineeships are lower and shorter, respectively, than the support provided for full-time employment of mid-career workers.
The traineeship allowance for GRIT is $1,800 to $2,400, while that for the Mid-Career Pathways Programme is $1,800 to $3,800.
Safeguards are in place to ensure that host organisations have not undertaken retrenchment measures for roles that are similar to those proposed for GRIT traineeships.
Can a trainee accept an offer for a full-time role with the host organisation while on a traineeship?
Yes, if the role is offered during the traineeship period.
However, the traineeship must be officially terminated before the person enters into an employment contract, as the two arrangements cannot overlap.
Can a trainee leave during the traineeship?
Yes, a trainee may exit the programme early for valid reasons, such as securing full-time employment elsewhere.
However, trainees must provide adequate notice to their host organisations as specified in their training agreement.
What happens if a trainee is not offered a job upon completion of the traineeship?
Upon completion of the traineeship, trainees may either be offered full-time positions by their host organisation based on their performance, or pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Trainees who need help in their job search can use career-matching services through WSG’s Careers Connect or NTUC’s e2i career centres.
What support is available for those unable to secure a traineeship after multiple applications?
They can seek assistance through Careers Connect or e2i career centres.
