# Reduction of Entry-level Roles for Fresh Graduates and Young Jobseekers Attributable to AI Adoption

- Date: 2026-08-05
- Added: 2026-09-04
- Who: Dr Wan Rizal · Ms Jasmin Lau
- Source: https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-na-24176
- sgai: https://sgai.md/debates/written-answer-na-24176/
- License: sgai-authored content (summaries, translations, analysis) is CC BY 4.0 — attribute and link to sgai.md. Verbatim source text (Hansard, speeches, transcripts, policy documents) remains © its original rights holders and is reproduced for reference only. Terms: https://github.com/meltflake/sgai/blob/main/DATA-LICENSE.md

## Why it matters

MOM answers the fear that AI is squeezing graduate jobs with Q1 2026 data: entry-level PMET vacancies edged up to 32,800, and only 6% of AI-adopting firms cut headcount.

## Summary

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Acting Minister for Manpower, in writing, how much of the decline in job vacancies between December 2025 and March 2026 reported in the Ministry's Labour Market Report First Quarter 2026 was attributable to a reduction in entry-level roles for fresh graduates and young jobseekers, and whether that decline was linked to the AI adoption trends described in the same report. Minister of State Jasmin Lau replied that total vacancies fell from 77,700 in December 2025 to 73,300 in March 2026, driven primarily by a drop in non-PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) openings. Entry-level PMET vacancies actually edged up from 32,500 to 32,800 over the same period, indicating the decline did not reflect a squeeze on roles for fresh graduates and young jobseekers. MOM's survey suggests AI's impact so far has been more on job redesign than on broad-based hiring cuts: among the three in ten firms that had adopted AI, only 6% reported reducing headcount and 8% reported lowering hiring activity, while 19% reported redesigning roles and 14% reported creating AI-related jobs. The Ministry will continue to support young jobseekers through initiatives that build industry-relevant skills, provide meaningful work experience and help them secure good jobs.

## Key points

- Total vacancies fell from 77,700 in December 2025 to 73,300 in March 2026, driven mainly by non-PMET openings
- Entry-level PMET vacancies edged up from 32,500 to 32,800 over the same period, which MOM cites to reject the idea that graduate roles are shrinking
- Among the roughly three in ten firms that adopted AI, only 6% cut headcount and 8% lowered hiring, while 19% redesigned roles and 14% created AI-related jobs
- MOM's reading is that AI's impact so far is mainly job redesign rather than broad-based hiring cuts
- MOM will keep supporting fresh graduates and young jobseekers through skills, work-experience and job-matching initiatives

## Full text

© Parliament of Singapore — reproduced for reference only.

23 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) how much of the decline in job vacancies from December 2025 to March 2026, based on the Ministry's Labour Market Report First Quarter 2026, is attributable to a reduction in entry-level roles for fresh graduates and young job seekers; and (b) whether this decline is linked to AI adoption trends as reported in the same document.

Ms Jasmin Lau : Total job vacancies fell from 77,700 in December 2025 to 73,300 in March 2026. The decline was driven primarily by a decrease in non-Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians (PMET) vacancies. Entry-level PMET job openings increased slightly from 32,500 in December 2025 to 32,800 in March 2026, indicating that the decline did not reflect a reduction in entry-level roles for fresh graduates and young job seekers.

Our survey suggests that the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) so far has been more on job redesign than on broad-based reductions in hiring. Among the three in 10 firms which had adopted AI, only 6% reported reducing headcount and 8% reported lowering hiring activity. By comparison, 19% reported redesigning roles and 14% reported creating AI-related jobs.

The Ministry of Manpower will continue to support fresh graduates and young job seekers through initiatives that help them build industry-relevant skills, gain meaningful work experience and secure good job opportunities.