Considering how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the global economy, many people are in the process of losing their jobs and closing their businesses. The people who are unemployed have been concerned about the chances of landing a job after the current crisis.
Education Minister Ong Ye Kung had just announced an update for the final year students at the Autonomous Universities (AU) who will be graduating this year.
In his Facebook post, Mr Ong assured the final year students that the Ministry of Education (MOE) and their AUs would support them within their means. And he announced three ways how the students will be supported to prepare for the weak labour market.
Mr Ong stated that the final year students at Singapore’s AUs can sign up to four Continuing Education and Training (CET) modules offered by their alma maters for free. The students will be able to choose from 1,700 courses and they are recommended to diversify their skills even if the courses are unrelated to their disciplines.
“First, #ClassOf2020 at our AUs can take up to 4 CET modules offered by their alma mater for free. You can choose from about 1,700 courses, ranging from Systems Thinking to Professional Communications. Try to take up programmes and diversify your skills, even if they are unrelated to your discipline,” wrote Mr Ong.
Other than available CET modules that will be free of charge, the institutions’ respective Career Offices will do their best to support students on their job search. Mr Ong suggested the students to consider options such as the SGUnited Traineeships programme, explaining that this programme will allow students to develop industry-relevant skills and build professional networks.
“Second, the institutions’ respective Career Office will do their best to support your job search. Consider options such as the SGUnited Traineeships programme (wsg.gov.sg/SGUnitedTraineeships-Trainees) which attaches you with a company for 12 months. It will help you develop industry-relevant skills and build professional networks.”
The last point presented by Mr Ong revealed that the AUs had been putting together various schemes for financial support to cut down the students’ and their families’ financial burden.
“Third, AUs have also been actively putting together various schemes of financial support, which will reduce students’ and their families’ financial burden,” Mr Ong announced.
Wishing the final year students all the best, Mr Ong urged them to “make good use” of their time.
