Higher Pay for Poly Grads in 2011

JOINT POLYTECHNIC PRESS RELEASE

HIGHER PAY FOR POLY GRADS IN 2011
Latest survey shows more fresh graduates are in the workforce
and earn higher starting pay

Singapore, 6 January 2012 – The Graduate Employment Survey conducted in 2011 by the five polytechnics revealed that polytechnic graduates remain to be well in demand by employers and earned more with higher remuneration, compared to the previous year.

The employment rate among fresh polytechnic graduates reached 92.1% with 67.0% in full-time permanent employment    Full-time permanent employment refers to employment of at least 35 hours a week and where the employment is not temporary.  It includes those on contracts of one year or more..  Among post-NS graduates, overall and full-time permanent employment rates were 94.7% and 80.1% respectively in 2011.

In the latest survey, the median gross monthly salaries for both fresh graduates and post-NS graduates in full-time permanent employment had risen from 2010.

Majority of the polytechnic graduates still chose to join the private sector with 86.1% for fresh graduates and 80.6% for post-NS graduates.  

Fresh Graduates
A total of 9,410 fresh graduates took part in the survey.  Among the economically active    Economically active graduates refer to those who were working or looking for employment. fresh graduates, the overall employment rate was 92.1% in 2011 from 91.5% in 2010.  About 67.0% were in full-time permanent employment, which is comparable to 68.5% in 2010.  (refer to Appendix A: Exhibit 1)

The median gross monthly salary among fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment was $1,850, increasing by 2.8% from $1,800 in 2010.  (refer to Appendix A: Exhibit 2)

Of the fresh graduates with full-time permanent jobs, 86.1% were employed in the private sector.  (refer to Appendix A: Exhibit 3)

Post-National Service Graduates
Among the 3,976 post-NS respondents, the overall employment rate was 94.7%, which is comparable to 95.4% in 2010.  Those holding full-time permanent jobs was at 80.1%, which is comparable to 81.3% in 2010.  (refer to Appendix A: Exhibit 1)

Post-NS graduates in full-time permanent employment earned a median gross monthly salary of $2,100, increasing by 5.0% from $2,000 in 2010.  (refer to Appendix A: Exhibit 2)

Of the post-NS graduates with full-time permanent jobs, 80.6% joined the private sector, up from 73.4% in 2010.  (refer to Appendix A: Exhibit 3)

Gross Monthly Salaries by Course Categories
Among fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment, the graduates from two course categories: Health Sciences and Built Environment, Engineering, & Maritime, commanded higher median gross salaries at $1,900 a month.  Among post-NS graduates in full-time permanent employment, graduates from the Business, Management, Design, & Others commanded higher median gross salaries at $2,150 a month.

Background Facts about the Survey

• The annual Graduate Employment Survey is jointly conducted by Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Republic, Singapore and Temasek polytechnics to ascertain the employment status of polytechnic graduates.   
• The 2011 Survey was conducted between October and November 2011 and attracted a total of 13,386 respondents.  They were asked to respond based on their employment status as at 1 October 2011.  
• The respondents comprised fresh graduates who completed their studies in 2011 and were not liable for National Service after graduation, and Post-NS graduates of 2008 who completed their full-time National Service between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011.

More details of the survey findings can be found in the Appendices.

Media Release Issued by:

Temasek Polytechnic
Ms Vimala Christie
Tel: 6780 5019 / 9790 0319
Email: vimalac@tp.edu.sg

Other Media Contacts:

Nanyang Polytechnic
Ms Jayanthi Gopal
Tel: 6550 0223 / 9665 7817
Email: jayanthi gopal@nyp.gov.sg

Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Ms Sadiah Ahmad
Tel: 6460 6232 / 8367 0286
Email: sadia@np.edu.sg

Republic  Polytechnic
Ms. Natalie Goh
Tel: 91259385
Email: natalie_goh@rp.edu.sg

Singapore Polytechnic
Ms Teo Hung Noi
Tel: 6772-1350 / 9670-9088
Email: hungnoi@sp.edu.sg