More Polytechnic Graduates Find Jobs as Singapore Economy Recovers In 2021
Post Date: 13 Jan 2022
More than 9 in 10 graduates are employed within 6 months upon graduation
Singapore, 13 January 2022 – The 2021 Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey (GES)[1] found that 92.2% of polytechnic graduates found jobs within six months of graduation or after completion of full-time National Service, an increase of 4.8% from 87.4% in 2020 (see Table 1). The median gross monthly salary among graduates in full-time permanent employment increased from $2,400 in 2020 to $2,500 in 2021.
Among the 7,566 polytechnic graduate survey respondents in the labour force, 58.1% were in full-time permanent employment, while 29.4% were in part‐time/temporary employment, including 2.2% who were on the SGUnited Traineeships Programme. Another 2.5% had either accepted a job offer or were actively starting a business venture. Consistent with previous years, about half the polytechnic graduates in part-time/temporary employment were concurrently pursuing or preparing to begin further studies.
Table 1: Employment Indicators from 2019 to 2021
Proportion of Respondents in the Labour Force who were: |
Fresh Graduates |
Post-NS (PNS) Graduates |
Combined (Fresh and PNS Graduates) |
||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Employed |
89.1% |
85.4% |
91.4% |
94.1% |
91.9% |
94.2% |
90.7% |
87.4% |
92.2% |
In Full-Time Permanent Employment |
56.6% |
45.8% |
56.0% |
70.7% |
65.5% |
63.3% |
61.1% |
52.0% |
58.1% |
Freelancing |
2.9% |
2.8% |
3.4% |
6.7% |
6.0% |
7.8% |
4.1% |
3.8% |
4.7% |
In Part-Time/Temporary Employment |
29.6% |
36.8% |
31.9%[1] |
16.7% |
20.4% |
23.2%[2] |
25.5% |
31.6% |
29.4%[3] |
Voluntary |
27.3% |
32.8% |
30.3% |
14.6% |
17.1% |
20.9% |
23.2% |
27.9% |
27.6% |
Involuntary |
2.3% |
3.9% |
1.6% |
2.1% |
3.3% |
2.3% |
2.3% |
3.8% |
1.8% |
Unemployed |
10.9% |
14.6% |
8.6% |
5.9% |
8.1% |
5.8% |
9.3% |
12.6% |
7.8% |
Unemployed but starting work soon or actively starting a business venture |
2.8% |
3.4% |
2.9% |
1.4% |
1.9% |
1.4% |
2.3% |
2.9% |
2.5% |
1 The GES is jointly conducted by Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic.
2 Of these, 2.0%-points are on the SGUnited Traineeships Programme
3 Of these, 2.7%-points are on the SGUnited Traineeships Programme
4 Of these, 2.2%-points are on the SGUnited Traineeships Programme
Unemployed but starting work soon or actively starting a business venture |
2.8% |
3.4% |
2.9% |
1.4% |
1.9% |
1.4% |
2.3% |
2.9% |
2.5% |
Unemployed and still looking for a job |
8.1% |
11.2% |
5.7% |
4.6% |
6.2% |
4.4% |
7.0% |
9.6% |
5.3% |
Median Gross Monthly Salary of those who are in Full-Time Permanent Employment |
$2,300 |
$2,350 |
$2,400 |
$2,540 |
$2,500 |
$2,614 |
$2,400 |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
Note: The percentages may not add up due to rounding off. The list of definitions for the employment indicators is at Annex A.
The median gross monthly salaries of graduates from Health Sciences and Information & Digital Technologies have been consistently higher than the overall median for all graduates (see Table 2).
Table 2: Median Gross Monthly Salary by Course Clusters for Fresh Graduates and Post-NS Graduates (Full-Time Permanent Employed only) from 2019 to 2021
Course Cluster |
Fresh Graduates |
Post-NS Graduates |
All |
||||||
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Arts, Design & Media |
$2,200 |
$2,000 |
$2,100 |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$2,200 |
$2,100 |
$2,200 |
Built Environment |
$2,300 |
$2,230 |
$2,350 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$2,550 |
$2,300 |
$2,345 |
$2,400 |
Business |
$2,155 |
$2,100 |
$2,200 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$2,519 |
$2,270 |
$2,200 |
$2,300 |
Engineering |
$2,350 |
$2,300 |
$2,400 |
$2,550 |
$2,500 |
$2,700 |
$2,470 |
$2,450 |
$2,500 |
Health Sciences |
$2,580 |
$2,550 |
$2,625 |
$2,627 |
$2,698 |
$2,800 |
$2,600 |
$2,553 |
$2,650 |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$2,656 |
$2,580 |
$2,500 |
$2,450 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
Information & Digital Technologies |
$2,300 |
$2,300 |
$2,500 |
$2,600 |
$2,600 |
$2,700 |
$2,450 |
$2,500 |
$2,600 |
Sciences |
$2,023 |
$2,120 |
$2,200 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
$2,607 |
$2,125 |
$2,250 |
$2,250 |
Overall |
$2,300 |
$2,350 |
$2,400 |
$2,540 |
$2,500 |
$2,614 |
$2,400 |
$2,400 |
$2,500 |
Note: The list of diploma courses under each course cluster is available in Annex B.
Fresh Graduates
9,025 out of 11,928 fresh graduates in 2021 responded to the survey. As at 1 Oct 2021, around six months after the completion of their final examinations, 59.8% of the respondents were in the labour force, an increase of 3.4% compared to 2020. 39.6% were pursuing or preparing to begin further studies and hence not looking for jobs. Most of the remaining 0.6% said they were taking a break and not seeking employment.
Post-National Service Graduates
5,191 out of 8,875 graduates from 2018 who completed their full-time National-Service (NS) between 1 Apr 2020 and 31 Mar 2021 responded to the survey. 41.8% of respondents were in the labour force. 57.9% were pursuing or preparing to begin further studies and hence not looking for jobs, which was a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2020. Similar to the fresh graduates, most of the remaining 0.3% said that they were taking a break and not seeking employment.
Support from the Polytechnics
The polytechnics continue to support their graduates throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This includes holding career & opportunity fairs, and providing extensive career guidance and support such as job matching and personalised career coaching and planning. The polytechnics have also tapped on their network of industry partners to curate suitable job placement and apprenticeship opportunities for graduates, such as the SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes.
Commenting on behalf of the Polytechnic GES Committee on the outcomes of the 2021 Polytechnic GES, Mr Peter Lam, Principal & CEO, Temasek Polytechnic said, “The increase in the employment rate of polytechnic graduates, in tandem with the recovery of Singapore’s economy, testifies to the industry-relevant training our students receive. Despite the many uncertainties faced in the past year, the median salaries for both fresh and post-National Service graduates have increased, clearly reflecting employers’ confidence in our polytechnic graduates’ skills and knowledge.”
Media Release Issued by: |
|
Temasek Polytechnic Ms Vimala Christie Corporate Communications Tel: 6780 5019 / 9790 0319 Email: Vimala_CHRISTIE@tp.edu.sg |
|
| Other Media Contacts: |
|
Nanyang Polytechnic Mr Chung Wen Hua Communication & Outreach Tel: 6550 0234 / 9833 7677 Email: chung_wen_hua@nyp.edu.sg |
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Ms Lea Wee Corporate Communications Office Tel: 6460 7977 Email: Lea_wee@np.edu.sg |
Republic Polytechnic Mr Julian Soh / Mr Terence Ong Office of Corporate Communications Tel: 9018 0719 / 9128 1898 |
Singapore Polytechnic Ms Anna Fernandez Department of Communications Tel: 9460 6430 |
ANNEX A
DEFINITION OF EMPLOYMENT INDICATORS
Employment refers to graduates working in full-time permanent, part-time, temporary employment and freelancing. The employment rate is the number of employed graduates, as a proportion of graduates in the labour force (i.e. those who were working or not working but actively looking and available for work).
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.
Freelancing refers to those who operate their own business without employing any paid worker in the conduct of their business or trade.
Part-time Employment refers to employment of less than 35 hours a week.
Temporary Employment refers to casual, interim or seasonal employment, including those on contracts of less than one year.
Involuntary part-time/temporary employment refers to those who indicated that they were in part-time/temporary employment as they had tried but were unable to obtain a full-time permanent job offer so far.
Voluntary part-time/temporary employment refers to those who indicated that they were in part-time/temporary employment as they were pursuing/ preparing to commence further studies, taking active steps to start a business venture, due to personal choice and other reasons.
Gross Monthly Salary comprises basic salary, fixed allowances, over-time pay, commissions and other regular cash payments, before deduction of the employee’s CPF contributions and personal income tax. Employer’s CPF contributions, bonuses, stock options, other lump sum payments and payments-in-kind are excluded.
ANNEX B
LIST OF DIPLOMA COURSES SURVEYED
ARTS, DESIGN & MEDIA Diploma in 3D Interactive Media Technology Diploma in Advertising & Public Relations Diploma in Animation Diploma in Animation & 3D Arts Diploma in Apparel Design & Merchandising Diploma in Arts & Theatre Management Diploma in Arts Business Management Diploma in Chinese Media & Communication Diploma in Communication Design Diploma in Communications & Media Management Diploma in Creative Writing For Television & New Media Diploma in Design For Interactivity Diploma in Design For User Experience Diploma in Digital Animation Diploma in Digital Film & Television Diploma in Digital Game Art & Design Diploma in Digital Visual Effects Diploma in Environment Design Diploma in Experience & Product Design Diploma in Film, Sound & Video Diploma in Game Design Diploma in Games Design & Development Diploma in Immersive Media & Game Design Diploma in Industrial Design Diploma in Interaction Design Diploma in Interactive & Digital Media Diploma in Interior Architecture & Design Diploma in Interior Design Diploma in Mass Communication Diploma in Mass Media Management Diploma in Media & Communication Diploma in Media Production and Design Diploma in Motion Graphics & Broadcast Design Diploma in Music & Audio Technology Diploma in Product & Industrial Design Diploma in Product Design & Innovation Diploma in Retail & Hospitality Design Diploma in Sonic Arts Diploma in Space & Interior Design Diploma in Spatial Design Diploma in Visual Communication Diploma in Visual Communication & Media Design Diploma in Visual Effects Diploma in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics
BUILT ENVIRONMENT Diploma in Architecture Diploma in Civil Engineering With Business Diploma in Facilities Management Diploma in Green Building & Sustainability Diploma in Green Building Energy Management Diploma in Hotel & Leisure Facilities Management Diploma in Integrated Facility Management Diploma in Landscape Architecture Diploma in Real Estate Business Diploma in Renewable Energy Engineering Diploma in Sustainable Urban Design & Engineering
BUSINESS Diploma in Accountancy Diploma in Accountancy & Finance Diploma in Accounting & Finance Diploma in Aviation Management & Services Diploma in Banking & Finance Diploma in Banking & Financial Services Diploma in Business Diploma in Business & Social Enterprise Diploma in Business Administration Diploma in Business Innovation and Design Diploma in Business Management Diploma in Business Studies Diploma in Consumer Behaviour & Research Diploma in Culinary & Catering Management Diploma in Customer Experience Management With Business Diploma in Customer Relationship & Service Management Diploma in Food & Beverage Business Diploma in Fund Management & Administration Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management |
BUSINESS (cont.) Diploma in Hotel and Hospitality Management Diploma in Human Resource Management With Psychology Diploma in Integrated Events & Project Management Diploma in Integrated Events Management Diploma in International Business Diploma in International Logistics & Supply Chain Management Diploma in International Trade & Business Diploma in Law & Management Diploma in Leisure & Events Management Diploma in Leisure & Resort Management Diploma in Logistics & Operations Management Diploma in Maritime Business Diploma in Marketing Diploma in Restaurant and Culinary Operations Diploma in Retail Management Diploma in Social Enterprise Management Diploma in Tourism & Resort Management Diploma in Wellness and Hospitality Business Diploma in Wellness, Lifestyle and Spa Management
Diploma in Aeronautical & Aerospace Technology Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering Diploma in Aerospace Avionics Diploma in Aerospace Electronics Diploma in Aerospace Engineering Diploma in Aerospace Systems & Management Diploma in Aerospace Technology Diploma in Audio-Visual Technology Diploma in Automation & Mechatronic Systems Diploma in Aviation Management Diploma in Bioengineering Diploma in Biomedical Engineering Diploma in Business Process & Systems Engineering Diploma in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Diploma in Chemical Engineering Diploma in Clean Energy Diploma in Clean Energy Management Diploma in Computer Engineering Diploma in Digital & Precision Engineering Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering Diploma in Electrical Engineering Diploma in Electrical Engineering With Eco-Design Diploma in Electronic & Computer Engineering Diploma in Electronic Systems Diploma in Electronics Diploma in Electronics, Computer & Communications Engineering Diploma in Energy Systems & Management Diploma in Engineering Design With Business Diploma in Engineering Science Diploma in Engineering Systems Diploma in Engineering Systems & Management Diploma in Engineering With Business Diploma in Environmental & Water Technology Diploma in Industrial and Operations Management Diploma in Infocomm & Network Engineering Diploma in Marine & Offshore Technology Diploma in Marine Engineering Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Diploma in Mechatronics Diploma in Mechatronics & Robotics Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering Diploma in Media & Communication Technology Diploma in Microelectronics Diploma in Multimedia & Infocomm Technology Diploma in Nanotechnology & Materials Science Diploma in Nautical Studies Diploma in Robotics & Mechatronics Diploma in Supply Chain Management Diploma in Telematics & Media Technology
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LIST OF DIPLOMA COURSES SURVEYED (CONT’D)
HEALTH SCIENCES Diploma in Health Sciences (Nursing) Diploma in Nursing Diploma in Optometry Diploma in Oral Health Therapy Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences Diploma in Pharmacy Science
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES Diploma in Applied Drama & Psychology Diploma in Child Psychology & Early Education Diploma in Chinese Studies Diploma in Early Childhood Education Diploma in Early Childhood Studies Diploma in Gerontological Management Studies Diploma in Health Management and Promotion Diploma in Health Services Management Diploma in NIEC (NP) - Tamil Studies With Early Education Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Learning Diploma in Psychology Studies Diploma in Social Sciences (Social Work) Diploma in Sport & Wellness Management Diploma in Sports & Leisure Management Diploma in Sports and Exercise Sciences Diploma in Sports Coaching
INFORMATION & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES Diploma in Big Data Management & Governance Diploma in Business Applications Diploma in Business Enterprise IT Diploma in Business Informatics Diploma in Business Information Systems Diploma in Business Information Technology Diploma in Business Intelligence & Analytics Diploma in Cyber & Digital Security Diploma in Cyber Security & Forensics Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Diploma in Digital Forensics Diploma in Engineering Informatics Diploma in Financial Business Informatics Diploma in Financial Informatics Diploma in Game Design & Development Diploma in Game Development & Technology Diploma in Infocomm & Security Diploma in Infocomm Security Management Diploma in Information Security & Forensics Diploma in Information Technology Diploma in IT Service Management Diploma in Mobile & Network Services Diploma in Mobile Software Development Diploma in Multimedia & Animation Diploma in Network Systems & Security |
SCIENCES Diploma in Applied Chemistry Diploma in Applied Chemistry With Materials Science Diploma in Applied Chemistry With Pharmaceutical Science Diploma in Applied Food Science & Nutrition Diploma in Baking & Culinary Science Diploma in Biologics & Process Technology Diploma in Biomedical Science Diploma in Biomedical Sciences Diploma in Biotechnology Diploma in Chemical & Green Technology Diploma in Chemical & Pharmaceutical Technology Diploma in Environmental Science Diploma in Food Science & Nutrition Diploma in Food Science & Technology Diploma in Landscape Design & Horticulture Diploma in Marine Science & Aquaculture Diploma in Materials Science Diploma in Medicinal Chemistry Diploma in Molecular Biotechnology Diploma in Nutrition, Health & Wellness Diploma in Perfumery & Cosmetic Science Diploma in Veterinary Bioscience Diploma in Veterinary Technology |
