During Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong’s 2025 National Day Rally speech on Aug 17 at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio, he revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who leads the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT), has been busy visiting several countries to strengthen ties with them, in the aftermath of the US decision to levy tariffs on imports.
While Singapore did manage to stay on the side of countries that faced the lowest baseline tariff — which is 10% — PM Wong said: “Frankly, it gives us little comfort because no one knows if, or when, the United States (US) could raise the baseline, or set higher tariffs on specific industries like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.”
Speaking on the efforts of the SERT, he added: “We’re doing this because the external shifts we see today are not temporary.”
“Between America and China, the tariffs are still not resolved. The global economy will become more contested and fragmented.”
“So we need a new economic blueprint — to secure Singapore’s future in a very different world.”
Ultimately, the goal of the taskforce is to create good jobs for Singaporeans and to continue increasing incomes and living standards, PM Wong added, with the taskforce rolling out “targeted solutions” to help Singapore businesses and workers.
On technology and jobs for Singaporeans
Singapore will have to look at applying new technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics meaningfully across the economy.
Highlighting the country’s investment in research and development over the last two decades, PM Wong said that the same long-term approach will be applied to other frontier technologies, such as quantum computing.
Equally important, if not more, is how quickly new technologies are adopted across the entire economy, he believes.
PM Wong reflected back on the 1990s, when Singapore pushed a nationwide computerisation drive. Computer clubs were launched at public venues such as at Marine Parade CC, where he himself attended his first computer class.
Workers of various ages were equipped and trained too, not just the young, and it transformed the way we worked, opening up new possibilities in every field.
“With each new wave of technology, we adapted. We upgraded. We lifted our whole country up,” PM Wong said.
He shared during the Rally his belief that artificial intelligence (AI) will be the defining technology of our time.
“AI will only continue to improve, solving real world problems and changing the way Singaporeans live, work and interact with one another.
“The real game changer lies in using AI to raise productivity and create new value through every part of the economy,” he added.
PM Wong affirmed the government will equip and empower every enterprise, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to harness AI effectively and sharpen their competitive edge.
“We will work closely with NTUC and the unions; with our union leaders and workers.”
“We will redesign jobs, and equip and empower every worker,” he added, citing examples of how PSA is doing so and producing win-win outcomes for employers, as well as for their workers.
Helping Singaporeans be matched to the right jobs
PM Wong emphasised that the government’s number one priority is “jobs, jobs, jobs” and shared the following updates:
- Job matching services will be stepped up;
- Career fairs will be brought directly into tertiary institutions to help fresh graduates explore career possibilities and connect early with employers; and
- A new job-matching initiative at the town level will be launched, led by the Community Development Councils (CDCs).
He explained that given CDCs already have strong networks with local merchants, SMEs and community partners, they are well-placed to match jobseekers with job vacancies, especially those who prefer to work closer to home.
The mayors for Singapore’s five districts will share further details on the scheme soon.
The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme will be enhanced
PM Wong reiterated that the Singapore government will continue to help workers reskill and upskill, which is why heavy investment has been made in the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme.
It was introduced last year for those 40 and older. He said the programme is off to a good start, adding: “But we already have enough experience with it (the programme) to introduce two more enhancements,”
These enhancements include:
- Allowing a portion of the training allowance to be claimed for part-time courses; and
- An expansion of the current course offerings to include more quality courses by industry leaders and private training providers.
PM Wong also empathised with Singaporean workers concerned with disruptions caused by technological change, such as AI potentially replacing tasks and even entire jobs.
“Even as we embrace AI and technology, we will not lose sight of our key priority,” he assured.
“Singaporeans will always be at the centre of everything we do.”
A real-life success story of a Singaporean who reskilled and upskilled
PM Wong shared the experiences of Vinoth Nanda Kumaran, 41, who went from being a private-hire driver, to enjoying better employment prospects in data analytics.
Vinoth has come a long way from being a logistics coordinator in 2015, where he managed a warehouse and lead a team of warehouse assistants. After losing that job, he became a private-hire driver for five years to keep the family finances going.
In fact, his passion for data analytics was kicked off by his love for football, leading him to develop a dashboard to do predictive analysis of his amateur team’s performances.
In addition, he used his SkillsFuture credits to pursue a diploma in data engineering.
Vinoth is now studying part-time for a business analytics degree at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and has also secured a job at SUSS as a business intelligence developer, using data to support decision-making and help improve operations.
This is what Singapore’s economic strategy is all about — helping every worker progress and succeed, the Prime Minister lauded.
Watch this video to learn how Vinoth overcame various challenges in his reskilling and upskilling journey, and how you can too!
Read Vinoth’s story here: Pathway to Career Success: How this Singaporean Went From Driving to Data Analytics
Helping younger workers kickstart their careers with a new traineeship programme
Young Singaporeans today enjoy more opportunities than ever before, PM Wong reflected during the Rally, reflecting how more than 40% of his Primary 1 cohort in 1979 did not progress to post-secondary education.
Now, virtually, all students do so and have opportunities to travel abroad and harness technology, he said.
However, this comes with a different set of challenges that are more complex in some ways.
PM Wong acknowledged many younger workers and fresh graduates are worried about jobs and employment with the current uncertain economic outlook.
However, he encouraged young Singaporeans not to give up. He cited how despite the recent Covid-19 pandemic leading to slow hiring, with the help of the government, many companies gave fresh graduates opportunities with the SGUnited Traineeships Programme.
Launched in 2020, it supported paid training stints for up to six months for recent and fresh graduates from the ITE, polytechnics, and universities.
This gave fresh graduates the chance to gain real-world experience, while receiving an allowance.
It helped them learn new skills, and to be in a better position to secure full-time jobs when the economy recovered after the pandemic ended.
As such, PM Wong revealed the upcoming launch of a new and similar traineeship programme, which will have a “more focused rollout”. He added that if the economy worsens, there will be plans to further ramp it up for more graduates and employers.
SERT, led by DPM Gan, will share more details on the new programme soon.
PM Wong shared his belief that ultimately, Singapore’s ability to remain exceptional was because of our people.
“We never give up, and we never let each other down,” he said, and concluded: “We will write the next chapter of our Singapore Story, beyond SG60.”
“And we will do it together, side by side, as one exceptional and united Singapore!”
(Images: MDDI)
Read More: Career Health for Fresh Graduates: It Doesn’t Just Start and End at Job Search
