3,000 year-long placements for tertiary students as AI changes entry-level jobs
The placements are part of IMDA's Bridge2Tech, which now takes in students from autonomous universities, as AI changes entry-level jobs for new graduates.
About 3,000 year-long work placements will be open to tertiary students across the next three years, as artificial intelligence (AI) changes the entry-level jobs that new graduates used to take up, according to CNA.
Bridge2Tech, which broadens several programmes run under TIP Alliance+ of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), now covers students from autonomous universities, and the placements belong to it. Since 2022, the year-long internships have been available to eligible students in Information and Digital Technologies courses at polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education.
Built into the curriculum
The 10- to 12-month internships will be part of students' curricula and designed jointly by schools and employers. IMDA will provide funding to draw in more companies. According to IMDA, the programme lets students take on substantial projects, learn alongside experienced colleagues and build professional judgment by gaining real-world experience.
On Monday (Oct 19), Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How unveiled the initiative during TechConnect, an event held by the Singapore Computer Society. In his view, education and employment needed to be linked by fresh pathways, because AI is altering the way young professionals build experience. He also observed that firms are looking more and more for recruits able to add value right from day one.
"These concerns are real"
Mr Tan acknowledged that fresh graduates worry about their job prospects as AI replaces or assists with some tasks that junior professionals used to do. "These concerns are real." He said they should not be dismissed, and that easy reassurance should not be offered.
Giving an illustration, he noted that AI is now capable of assisting in numerous areas where junior engineers once learnt, including maintaining systems, testing applications, debugging code or writing simpler programmes. "Some describe this as the disappearing early rungs of the career ladder," he said. "Employers still need experienced engineers. But those engineers need to begin somewhere."
Expecting new graduates to begin their careers already holding years of hands-on experience is unrealistic, Mr Tan added, and neither can they just be told to pick up more AI skills. Educational institutions, employers, industry associations and the government all share the duty of building these pathways, he said.
Other support for students
On top of the extra internship places, students will get stronger backing for gaining certifications recognised by industry in AI, cloud and cybersecurity. Approved courses and certifications can be funded by IMDA for up to 90 per cent of costs for eligible students, though applicable caps apply.
A new Government Tech Domain Pathway will open for applications in November. The pathway seeks to equip students with knowledge specific to the government domain and an understanding of what the public service requires, readying them for technology careers either in the public sector or at firms that supply digital solutions to government agencies. Mr Tan said that partners are working with the government to develop a HealthTech pathway slated for 2027.
Over 200 employers, Mr Tan observed, have committed to back skills-based hiring through TIP Alliance+. In his words, employers ought to convert these pledges into real hiring practice, covering how jobs are advertised, how candidates are assessed and how skills and experience are recognised.
