Headlines about the job prospects of fresh graduates haven\u2019t been reassuring lately.<\/p>\n
And reports over the last year indicate that <\/p>\n more graduates are struggling to land full-time roles,<\/p>\n <\/a> with more taking on freelance, part-time or temporary work. <\/p>\n Some young people documented their job hunting processes on social media, lamenting that they sent out as many as 100 resumes over a few months. After going for multiple interviews, nothing landed.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Aug 22, the Government announced <\/p>\n a new traineeship scheme to help new graduates gain industry-relevant experience and skills<\/p>\n <\/a> that will help them transition into full-time employment.<\/p>\n Under the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) and GRIT@Gov programmes, up to 800 positions for a period of three to six months across various private and public sectors will be available. <\/p>\n Graduates from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and universities can start applying from October. Trainees will receive a monthly allowance ranging from $1,800 to $2,400 for the duration of their stint.<\/p>\n How will this programme make a difference for graduates worried about their career prospects? And what does the current landscape mean for young people trying to get their first full-time job?<\/p>\n In this episode of The Usual Place, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng addressed feedback about Grit and shared his thoughts about how graduates can navigate an uncertain and challenging job market.<\/p>\n Also on the podcast were two university graduates: <\/p>\n Dave Peter Ho, a business administration graduate who turned to selling products by livestreaming on TikTok after a futile nine-month job search. He graduated in Dec 2024.<\/p>\n Muhammad Syakir Moharum, who graduated in 2025 with a degree in public policy and global affairs and is about to start looking for a job<\/p>\n Highlights (click\/tap above):\u00a0<\/p>\n 7:38 GRIT scheme is about addressing anxieties ahead of a slowdown: Dr Tan<\/p>\n 10:47 Will we see more help for fresh graduates down the line?<\/p>\n 14:00 GDP better than expected, job vacancies available; where\u2019s the anxiety coming from?<\/p>\n 16:30 Keep open mind, be flexible: Dr Tan\u2019s tips for fresh grads on what an ideal career is<\/p>\n 18:00 \u201cThe process was draining and demoralising,\u201d Dave on his nine-month job hunt<\/p>\n 20:35 Getting rejected frequently pushed Dave to apply for random jobs in a rage<\/p>\n 27:59 How Syakir feels about putting himself out in a gloomy job market; Dave on becoming a TikTok livestreamer<\/p>\n 32:52 Syakir\u2019s concerns and his game plan; why are more fresh graduates going into in part-time, temporary and freelance work?<\/p>\n 47:03 Will the lower salary offered in the GRIT programme cause companies to low-ball new staff?<\/p>\n 53:23 Advice & tips to peers: Syakir & Dave<\/p>\n Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (<\/p>\n natashaz@sph.com.sg<\/p>\n <\/a>)<\/p>\n Read Natasha\u2019s articles:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/iSXm<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/theusualplacepodcast<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Follow Natasha on LinkedIn:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/v6DN<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Filmed by: Studio+65<\/p>\n Edited by: Eden Soh and Natasha Liew<\/p>\n Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong, Danson Cheong & Elizabeth Khor<\/p>\n Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday:<\/p>\n Channel:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/5nfm<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Apple Podcasts:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/9ijX<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Spotify:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/cd2P<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n YouTube:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/theusualplacepodcast<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Feedback to:\u00a0<\/p>\n podcast@sph.com.sg<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n SPH Awedio app:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.awedio.sg<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Follow more ST podcast channels:<\/p>\n All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/wvz7<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Get more updates:\u00a0<\/p>\n http:\/\/str.sg\/stpodcasts<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/4Vwsa<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:<\/p>\n The App Store:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/icyB<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Google Play:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/str.sg\/icyX<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n ST HeadstartThe Usual Place PodcastST PodcastsPodcastST Current Affairs Podcast<\/p>\n