Access Apprenticeships Memorandum of Understanding Signing

Distinguished Partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

• A very good morning to all of you. Thanks for taking the time to come here today to be with us at such an important milestone.  

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

• So, what are today’s youth “really” like? If you ask ten people, they will probably give you ten different answers.

  • Since joining MCCY last year – so that’s been less than one year in MCCY – I’ve had the opportunity to meet with youth from vastly different backgrounds and different lives.

  • Many of these engagements were part of what we call the SG Youth Plan. Together with our partners, we are developing a five-year action plan to articulate how Singapore intends to support our youth.

• So in these conversations with all these youths, I found that the reality is that we can’t pigeonhole them.

  • Everyone is unique. Everyone has their own dreams, fears, and aspirations.

  • And each one of them wants something a little bit different out of life.

  • And in Singapore – and this is what I strongly believe – we are not forcing conformation. We are trying to make this place, a location that enables each one of our youth to thrive and own what makes you, you. We shouldn’t take away that individuality.

• But having said that, there is common trend when we speak to our youth who are in school today or are graduating. One observation is that for many young Singaporeans, the Singapore Dream starts with having meaningful work. And meaningful work these days is beyond a paycheck. It’s about purpose, engagement, and being in a place where the culture aligns with their values.

  • And this is not new. For a lot of us from different generations, work has always been very important for dignity and independence.

  • We see our pioneers facing challenges and going to the job market during a time when our nation was facing turbulence and moving into independence. My parents saw Singapore move into a modern-day economy.

• And today, the context has shifted yet again for our youth. They are coming of age in a time of rapid change: a global pandemic –  a challenge of our lifetime – a rapid emergence of new technology, AI everybody knows that; and also a shift in the global order. Some of you who have seen what happened at Davos, the Canadian Prime Minister said, to use his words, “a rupture in the world order”. So, things are changing a lot for our youth who are just about to enter the job market.

  • And so we fully understand these challenges. That is why the Government has embarked on an Economic Strategy Review (ESR) – I’m part of the process as well – to determine how Singapore should then adjust our economic strategies to meet these realities.

  • Since late last year, the ESR committees have been out there speaking to companies – and some of you might have been engaged already – workers, and students, to ask them questions: What sectors should Singapore play in? What skills do our youths need? What is Singapore’s role in the global supply chains?

  • So the ESR committees recently put up our mid-term update in terms of the recommendations that we are thinking through. Strategies are still being formulated; the final report will only come out the middle of the year. But we have already come out to clearly  state that we must be more intentional in adopting an economic growth strategy that results in good job creation for Singaporeans and we must prepare our Singaporeans to access these good jobs.

  • I think it’s important for us to come say this, because the translation of economic growth to good jobs today is not a given. In today’s technologically driven world, technology doesn’t mean that jobs will be created, and that good jobs will be created. So we must put this at the centre of what we do as a Government. This is how we will then keep our economy globally relevant. This is how we will continue to create hope for our people and for our future generations.

A Partnership Approach

• Beyond what the Government is doing, we need to harness the collective potential of the People and Private sectors.

  • Which is why I am very happy to see all of you here today to support our youth in navigating this very uncertain future.  Here this morning, we have people who share our commitment to developing our youth.

• A few months ago, I was here to be part of the Access Fellowship Programme, which offers a curated blend of mentorship, masterclasses, and networking. The Programme targets students from Institutes of Higher Learning, who receive bursaries or financial assistance.

• There was one interaction I had with one of the participating youth. I asked, “Why did you sign up for this?” One of them said, “I just wanted a chance to do public speaking.” And I asked, “How did that go?”  “I did, and I’m very proud of myself.” So, you’d never know how this small request from somebody could change their life, and you would see that they would be so much more confident, and you just needed that opportunity to do so – and not many of us have that opportunity to do so.

• So today, Access is trying something new – Access Apprenticeships.

  • This is a talent programme that places polytechnic graduates in a Host Company, where they can work alongside industry professionals and gain hands-on experience, all while earning an income.

• Access is not doing it alone. Access Apprenticeships demonstrates how Whole-of-Society collaboration can come together for a common good.

  • By hosting these apprentices the corporate partners here today are demonstrating confidence in the value that polytechnic graduates bring to organisations.

  • The Macquarie Group Foundation’s funding support underscores the importance of corporate investment in human capital and uplifting social mobility.

  • Access Singapore is the connective tissue, linking graduates to employers while offering support. This is done together with partners such as the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and LinkedIn, who will be empowering the apprentices through career conversations, workshops, and other career growth opportunities.

SG Youth Plan

• This multi-stakeholder approach is exactly what we are trying to pursue through the SG Youth Plan that I touched on at the start of my speech.

• Through the SG Youth Plan, we are trying to hit a couple of targets. We are working with our youth to:

  • First, articulate a collective vision and aspiration for youth in Singapore;

  • Determine how to support them to be the best versions of themselves;

  • Empower them, regardless of background, to actively contribute to our collective future; and

  • Just as importantly, activate whole of society to collectively support them on their journey.

• Youth development must be a shared vision and shared mission for all of us. With partners like the organisations here today, we can better equip our youth with the confidence and ability to take charge of their career.

• I hope more corporates will come on board to support Access Apprenticeships as an ongoing sustained talent strategy.

  • There is great potential for this model to be adopted more widely across organisations and businesses, and across the broader economy.

  • By investing in our polytechnic graduates, companies are also future proofing your organisations and strengthening our nation’s competitive advantage – our people. We have no natural resources, and our people is what we have.

Closing

• In closing, thank you everyone for your partnership, your leadership, and your belief in our youth. Together, we are turning potential into performance, and opportunity into shared success.

• Thank you.