Written Answer · 2026-05-06 · Parliament 15
Assessment of AI Impact on Worker Competitiveness and Employability, and Targeted Support Interventions for Affected Workers
Workers' Party MP Ms He Ting Ru filed two written questions to the Minister for Manpower on AI's impact on the labour market: the latest assessment of the salary premium for AI skills and how it varies by sector and seniority, and the top occupations at risk of displacement plus targeted interventions for clerical, back-office and entry-level knowledge workers. Dr Tan See Leng replied that MOM data shows PMETs in infocomm, financial services and professional services have seen relatively higher retrenchment incidence in recent years, indicating ongoing restructuring rather than a contraction in PMET demand. MOM has no data on AI-skill salary premiums as corporate AI adoption is still at an early stage. Support measures include Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programmes for workers in clerical and back-office roles, the Graduate Industry Traineeship scheme for fresh graduates without full-time jobs, and SkillsFuture Singapore's simplified AI learning pathways. Later this year, Singaporeans taking eligible AI training courses will receive six months' complimentary access to premium AI tools. The Government will keep monitoring the labour market and calibrating support.
Key Points
- • PMET retrenchment is higher in infocomm, finance and professional services; attributed to restructuring, not falling demand
- • MOM has no AI-skill salary premium data, citing early-stage corporate AI adoption
- • Career Conversion Programmes and Graduate Industry Traineeships target clerical workers and fresh graduates
- • From later this year, eligible AI course trainees get six months of free premium AI tools
The Government views rising PMET retrenchment as restructuring rather than shrinking demand, and will help workers stay competitive through a mix of career conversion, graduate traineeships, AI learning pathways and complimentary AI tools.
Ms He pressed on AI displacement risks for clerical, back-office and entry-level knowledge roles, asking the Government for quantified assessments of salary premiums and at-risk occupations plus targeted interventions.
The Government concedes it lacks quantified data on AI's wage and job effects, and is centring policy on diffusing AI skills and tool usage — responding to AI disruption by upskilling workers rather than restraining corporate restructuring.
"Later this year, Singaporeans who take up eligible AI training courses will receive six months complimentary access to premium versions of AI tools, to build familiarity and allow them to practice applying these tools in real-world contexts."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-06-09
41 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the Ministry's latest assessment of the salary premium for workers with AI skills in Singapore, including how it varies by sector and seniority; and (b) what further steps will be taken to ensure Singaporean workers acquire these skills and remain competitive in the labour market.
42 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the Ministry's latest assessment of the top occupations at risk of displacement in Singapore; and (b) what targeted interventions are being considered to address concerns about employability, especially for workers in clerical, back-office and entry-level knowledge roles.
Dr Tan See Leng : The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) data shows that professional, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) in the information and communications, financial services and professional services sectors have seen relatively higher retrenchment incidence in recent years, compared to employees in other sectors and occupation groups. Higher incidence of retrenchment indicates ongoing restructuring rather than a contraction in PMET demand.
MOM does not have data on salary premiums for artificial intelligence (AI) skills, as AI adoption by companies in Singapore is still in their early stages. Employee salaries depend on many factors beyond AI proficiency, including sector, experience and market conditions.
To support Singaporeans in acquiring skills, including for AI, to remain competitive, the Government has taken several steps.
First, supporting access to good jobs and opportunities. Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programmes supports individuals, including those in clerical and back-office roles, to pivot into new job roles with good longer-term prospects. For fresh graduates who have not found full-time jobs, the Graduate Industry Traineeship scheme provides structured, industry-relevant work experience to help them gain a foothold in the labour market.
To support workers specifically in building AI capabilities, we are strengthening access to AI-related training. SkillsFuture Singapore is making AI learning pathways easier to navigate, so that working adults can identify courses suited to their proficiency levels and sought by employers.
We are also encouraging broader adoption of AI tools. Later this year, Singaporeans who take up eligible AI training courses will receive six months complimentary access to premium versions of AI tools, to build familiarity and allow them to practice applying these tools in real-world contexts.
We will continue to monitor labour market trends closely and calibrate our support as jobs evolve, to help Singaporean workers build relevant skills, including AI capabilities, to remain competitive in an evolving labour market.