Full-time employment rate stable for fresh poly graduates in 2025, with starting pay on the rise

SINGAPORE – Full-time permanent employment for fresh polytechnic graduates stayed stable in 2025, while starting pay continued to rise.

Results of the latest Graduate Employment Survey by the five polytechnics released on Jan 15 show that 54.2 per cent of them were in full-time permanent jobs in 2025, a slight dip from 54.6 per cent in 2024.

The median gross monthly salary of graduates in such jobs continued to grow, from $2,900 in 2024 to $3,000 in 2025.

Humanities and social sciences graduates, like in previous years, took home the highest pay of $3,200, compared with their peers from other courses. This was followed by graduates from health sciences, who took home $3,011.

Overall, in 2025, 90 per cent of polytechnic graduates secured employment within six months of graduation or after completion of full-time national service. The figure was 90.4 per cent in 2024.

The results come amid concerns among tertiary graduates about their job prospects in a more uncertain labour market and volatile economic climate.

For the first time, the survey’s results reflect whether graduates have secured employment or not, instead of the previous employed-unemployed split.

Those who have secured employment include graduates who are already working – full-time, freelance or part-time – as well as those who have accepted a job offer and will start later, or are actively taking steps to start a business.

In past iterations, the “employed” category captured only those who were already in a job at the point of the survey, while those due to start jobs later or setting up businesses were counted as unemployed.

The latest results also for the first time gave more details about graduates who have not secured work. This group falls into three categories: those who received but rejected job offers, those who applied but did not receive any offers, and those who did not look for full-time work.

A total of 12,835 polytechnic graduates responded to the latest survey in 2025.

They included 7,785 out of 10,169 fresh polytechnic graduates, and 5,050 of 8,261 graduates from 2022 who completed their full-time national service between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

Of those who responded, 43.9 per cent of them were in the labour force, while 56.1 per cent who were not working or actively looking for jobs were either pursuing or preparing for further studies. The rest were not seeking employment.

The survey reflects graduate employment outcomes six months after graduation, and are expected to improve beyond the six-month mark, the joint statement from the five polytechnics said.

Based on labour market data from the Ministry of Manpower, total employment continued to grow in 2025, the statement said.

Growth in employment, in the third quarter of 2025, was led by financial and insurance services, and health and social services sectors, while sectors such as information and communications saw slower employment growth due to the uncertain global economic environment.

The number of entry-level vacancies grew to 39,000 in September 2025, up from 26,000 in September 2024, said the statement.

Graduates who need help in their job search can reach out to their polytechnics for career counselling and attend career fairs. They may also tap resources from Workforce Singapore or NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute, or explore the Graduate Industry Traineeships and GRIT@Gov Programmes launched in October 2025.

Ms Karen Lim, strategic partnership manager at employment agency RecruitHaus, said job market conditions for fresh graduates have shifted in recent years, reflecting a broader move in hiring solely based on qualifications to skills.

She added that graduates should expect longer job searches as employers become more selective. “Companies are asking for relevant internship exposure, portfolio evidence, and practical skill sets right from the start,” she said.

“In the past, employers always looked at academic qualifications first. Now, they prioritise what you can do – your skills, how you communicate, how you solve problems, and whether you can contribute with minimal training.”

Ms Lim said that recruitment cycles have grown more dynamic, where some roles fill quickly, while others remain open longer because employers are seeking the precise skill fit.

The survey results also indicated that graduates are pursuing freelance work or starting their own businesses. Ms Lim said this reflects their interest in gaining experience in flexibility and diversifying their income.

She added that more graduates now are open to contract roles rather than waiting for a perfect permanent offer, so they can get to know the industry better.

Staying relevant and connected to industry trends, and being intentional about what they want to pursue after graduation are important for fresh graduates, said Ms Lim. “Graduates should continue to upskill themselves even after graduation because most jobs today require digital and data awareness, as well as strong communication skills.”

Ms Natasha Kannan, 23, a recent Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduate, was offered a full-time training executive role at manufacturing company Fujitec, where she did an internship from March to August 2024.

Ms Natasha, who studied business, said the internship was a chance to explore areas beyond her core focus. Her supervisor gave her opportunities to work with other departments, giving her a fuller understanding of the organisation.

“I even got exposure to more technical areas like maintenance and servicing, which I never imagined I would learn,” she said.

Alongside full-time work, Ms Natasha is pursuing a part-time business management degree at the Singapore Institute of Management.

“(Work and studies) complement each other to help you learn and broaden your knowledge,” she said, adding that juggling both commitments requires discipline.

Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, it was reported that Ms Natasha Kannan’s internship ended in April 2024. It should be August 2024.