Remarks at SUSS CESG Youth Forum

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang, One Good Place @ One Holland Village

Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS

Ladies and gentlemen

1. Good morning. I am very pleased to join you here today at the Centre of Excellence for Social Good’s inaugural Youth Forum.
   
   
2. Today’s topic, “Workplace Success and Soft Skills”, is especially pertinent as young people prepare to enter the workplace amidst a rapidly evolving, uncertain global landscape.
   
   
3. Those of my generation will remember that this place did not exist just a few years ago. This used to be an empty carpark. But in just a few years, we see how the place has evolved and built up into this amazing social space.
   
   
4. The job market today is also extremely different from the one I entered many years ago as a fresh graduate. From external global headwinds caused by increased trade tensions and geopolitical conflict, to the threat of AI taking over entry-level jobs, today’s graduates face many challenges from the onset of their careers.
   
   
5. The anxieties our youths today face are very real and valid. That said, I want to reassure everyone that there are still good career prospects out there for our youths.
   1. Based on MOM’s latest data, there are about 30,000 entry-level job positions available to our 6,000 unemployed fresh graduates. So there’s much more out there than you can see.
   2. The employment rate for the 2025 cohort is promising – more than half of the 2025 cohort has already managed to secure a job by June.
      
6. Allow me to share four key insights which I believe can be useful for young people embarking on their career journeys.

    

7. First of all, preparation breeds confidence. Before any interview, graduates must understand how their unique strengths align with the role that they're pursuing. It's not enough to simply have a list of qualifications—you need concrete examples that demonstrate why you are the best candidate. I always tell young people: find a friend, a family member, or anyone who can conduct mock interviews with you. Practice those curveball questions, andrehearse until confidence becomes second nature. Composure and confidence are key qualities that can help turn interviews into job offers.

    

8. Number two, job descriptions are wish lists, not checklists. There may be a tendency for individuals to eliminate themselves from opportunities when they think they don't tick every single box. However, if you demonstrate willingness to learn and provide examples of how you have adapted quickly in the past, you might surprise yourself and potential employers. Skills are transferable. That internship experience, that part-time job, that volunteer work— all of these contribute to a rich tapestry of capabilities that employers would value.
   
   
9. Third, adaptability is your superpower. As today’s theme suggests, success in the workplace goes beyond technical skills.Soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication are also important. In an age where AI is replacing basic knowledge work, these skills are indispensable. These skills are also valuable for networking, which can also help to connect you with employers and industry experts. When I was a student, I took any chance I could to network early, joining programmes and seminars, such as this, to meet industry experts and potential employers. Most importantly, I would like to emphasise that learning does not stop at graduation. Industry trends change rapidly, and staying curious keeps you ready for any opportunity.
   
   
10. For those who find their job search particularly challenging, or some of you whoremain unsure about their career direction, I want to highlight that as of last week, we have opened applications for the GRaduate Industry Traineeships, or GRIT in short, and its public sector equivalent, GRIT@Gov, programmes. These initiatives offer up to 800 structured traineeships across various sectors, allowing participants to gain valuable industry experience while exploring different career paths. You can check out these available roles on the MyCareersFuture and Careers@Gov portals.
    
    
11. Finally, career journeys are marathons, not sprints. The question of whether to hold out for the dream job or accept the first reasonable offer is one I hear frequently. Sometimes accepting that first offer or undertaking an internship may be a strategic move. I would encourage you to look at your first job as a stepping stone, not your final stop. Internships can provide real experience, build networks, and bring you closer to the career you ultimately want. Your career is a journey with multiple destinations.
    
    
12. It is never too late to start planning early.Workforce Singapore (WSG) and its partners offer a range of career services and resources to students seeking to enter the workforce. This includes career advisory and coaching services provided by both WSG and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i). Graduates can also tap on WSG’s Career Starter Pack, and the Polaris by Volunteer Career Advisors programme, which connects young workforce entrants with industry experts for insights on career paths, access to industry knowledge and professional networks.
    
    
13. Those who have gone to school during my time in this place, closer to Ghim Moh and Holland Village, know that it used to be a quiet town with seniors, old markets, hawker centres. It was really the vision of partners and individuals working collaboratively to create something amazing, that helped build up Buona Vista into the thriving biotech industry hub it is today. It took twenty years of collective effort, and you are definitely a part of that community. So continue to always strive to do better every day. Thank you very much.