As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workforce, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is looking at ways to strengthen its support for young people entering the job market. In an interview with CNA on February 23, labour chief Ng Chee Meng said the labour movement is pushing itself to better guide youths, especially fresh graduates, into working life.
He pointed out that while Singapore students rank well globally in foundational education, more can be done to ease their move into employment. He asked, “Coming out of our school system, where we are all ranked so well in the world in terms of the foundational education, how can we now maybe also rethink a little bit about that transition from the schoolhouse to the workplace?”
He also raised concerns about artificial intelligence affecting junior roles. “How can we in the AI era help overcome the possibilities of entry-level job disruption … to allow our children (to be) coming out of school, becoming adults, easing into the market that much better?”
Earlier in February, NTUC launched the AI-Ready SG initiative. This programme aims to prepare workers and businesses for an AI-driven economy. It includes AI training pathways, subsidies for AI tools, and sector-specific playbooks to guide business transformation and job redesign.
Ng said NTUC is exploring mentorship efforts under NTUC LearningHub to support graduating students. The labour movement is also considering expanding job-matching efforts beyond internships. He asked, “Would it be possible for us, beyond internships, to deepen possibilities in this era, to match (students) into a full-time job?” More details may be shared in the middle of the year.
While youth employment remains relatively healthy, Ng acknowledged that some entry-level jobs are already “feeling some of the heat” from AI. In 2025, nine in ten polytechnic graduates seeking work found jobs within six months of finishing school or National Service.
On the wider job market, Ng said, “The job market, by statistics, seems reasonable. But on the ground, we do hear of different segments of workers feeling a little bit anxious.” Advance estimates showed 57,300 jobs were created in 2025, higher than the previous year, although retrenchments increased slightly due to business restructuring.
When asked whether NTUC’s role is to protect jobs, Ng was clear: “We protect workers, and in our deepest philosophy, we don’t really want to just protect jobs, especially if (the) jobs are becoming less relevant or even obsolete.” He added, “And in the AI age, it is no longer the blue-collar worker that may require protection, but even the white-collar workers.”
