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Good Employment Rates for Polytechnic Grads in Singapore

Despite the economic crisis, about nine in 10 polytechnic graduates managed to find work in 2009.

According to a recent survey conducted by Singapore’s five polytechnics, it found that the fresh grad employment rate stood at 88.3%. Post-NS employment rate, on the other hand, stood at 87.7%.

More polytechnic graduates are also opting for jobs in the civil service, with stability being one of the key factors that attracts poly grads to the jobs. Last year, 18.9% of fresh polytechnic graduates joined the civil service, an increase from 14.3% in 2008 and 12.3% in 2007.

The number also increased to 27.3% for post-NS graduates.

Speaking to Channel News Asia, Tan Hang Cheong, principal of Singapore Polytechnic said that one reason why more poly grads are joining the public sector is because of the government’s recessionary efforts to create more jobs within the civil service. He adds, “The public sector has now offered better career development, advances, for diploma graduates. We hear stories of graduates who’ve joined the public sector and they’ve been offered scholarships for further studies and further development if they’re doing well in their job.”

Pay could be another reason for the civil service’s attractiveness, as a Post-National Service graduate can command an average pay of S$2,130.

Sources and references: Sandbox Advisors, CNA, HRO



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Amit Puri - Managing Consultant, Sandbox Advisors

Amit is an experienced career, business and HR professional. Previously, he has worked with organisations such as Bain & Company, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup. Amit has advanced degrees/qualifications in Career Counselling, Organisational Psychology & HR, Occupational Psychometrics, Career/Life Coaching, Business and Finance.

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