Singapore will offer approximately 3,000 new year-long internships to tertiary students over the next three years as part of a government initiative to address job market shifts caused by artificial intelligence (AI). The program is designed to help students gain meaningful work experience before graduation and counter the disruptions AI is causing to entry-level roles.

The internships, which will be credit-bearing and integrated into students' academic curricula, aim to bridge the widening skill gaps resulting from AI automation. Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How highlighted the need for such initiatives during a speech on October 19 at the Singapore Computer Society TechConnect 2026 event held at the Singapore Institute of Technology campus in Punggol. Speaking to an audience of nearly 500 students and industry leaders, Tan emphasized that these internships extend beyond conventional attachment programs by providing students opportunities to contribute to substantial projects, collaborate with experienced professionals, and develop critical professional judgment.

Tan reiterated concerns initially raised by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong earlier in the month, noting that AI adoption risks weakening the traditional “bottom rung” of career ladders. He warned that entry-level positions which once offered vital training opportunities are diminishing as AI begins to handle many routine junior tasks, such as programming, debugging, application testing, and system maintenance. “Employers still need experienced engineers, but those engineers need to begin somewhere,” Tan remarked, underscoring the importance of deliberate mentoring and work experience to build foundational skills that AI cannot replicate.

The responsibility to close the gap between education and employment, according to Tan, must be shared among educational institutions, employers, industry groups, and the government. The new program is an expansion of the existing Technology & Innovation Programme (TIP) Alliance+ initiative, which since 2022 has provided similar year-long internships for polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students. The expanded scope now includes university students and covers industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare.

Participating companies include major players like OCBC Bank, Accenture, and PSA, which have collaborated in previous internship cycles. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) co-funds the hiring costs, offering eligible firms up to S$1,000 per month per intern to incentivize participation.

Tan also addressed concerns about the emphasis on accumulating multiple internships. Citing an internal study from the National University of Singapore and consistent employer feedback, he stressed that the quality and depth of internship experience are more valuable than quantity. “What matters is what you learnt, contributed and built,” he said.

IMDA will closely monitor the internships’ outcomes and evaluate the potential for broader implementation of successful elements over time. The extended timeline of a year-long placement is intended to give students sufficient exposure to develop practical skills and professional competencies in an evolving job market increasingly shaped by AI technologies.