‘When you get a job offer, seriously consider accepting it,’ Ong Ye Kung tells young Singaporeans
SINGAPORE: At last month’s Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum, Health Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung was the Guest of Honour. At the event, where university students and members of academia have the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with a senior political leader, Mr Ong acknowledged that getting employed has gotten harder for today's young Singaporeans,…
At a recent event titled the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum, Health Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung addressed the challenges faced by young Singaporeans in the current job market. He acknowledged that securing employment has become increasingly difficult for the nation's young workforce. Mr Ong explained that while a degree remains valuable, it no longer distinguishes job applicants as much due to the large number of graduates in today's competitive environment.
Employers are now relying more heavily on internships during the hiring process, which has led to a self-reinforcing loop where graduates must do more to meet the higher criteria set by employers, leaving little room for differentiation.
Moreover, Mr Ong highlighted the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the young labour force, as routine tasks previously performed by new hires are now automated in some organizations and industries. This shift has created higher baseline expectations for what a new employee must accomplish. Despite these challenges, Mr Ong encouraged the young Singaporeans in his audience to remain confident.
He reminded them that Singapore continues to be a competitive and growing economy, and they are not in a declining or stagnant job market.
The minister advised the young people to utilize the support systems available to them, such as programmes and people who aim to help new graduates succeed. He suggested demonstrating genuine interest, passion, and a desire to master their chosen fields when applying for jobs. When a job offer arrives, Mr Ong urged them to seriously consider accepting it, despite potential concerns such as salary or work-life balance.
He emphasized that while these factors matter, learning and establishing a career foundation should be the top priorities during one's initial employment.
Mr Ong reassured the audience that their first job does not have to define their entire career. He stated, "Seizing an opportunity, even an imperfect one, is giving yourself a platform to build towards your goals."
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
