Freelance social media manager Merfenn Tay began her career working remotely after graduating from Singapore Polytechnic in 2020 with a diploma in visual communications. The pandemic-era work-from-home arrangement provided flexibility but limited direct supervision and interaction with managers and colleagues. “They only saw my capabilities through my output,” Tay recalled, expressing that the lack of in-person guidance early in her career left lasting challenges. After losing her role as a creative and public relations strategist due to a company restructuring in May 2025, Tay has been searching for public relations and strategy positions since January, still uncertain about how to navigate her career path.
Tay’s experience echoes broader concerns among young Singaporeans about career development despite the country’s low youth unemployment rate, which stood at 6.6 percent in 2025 according to the Ministry of Manpower. Data from the National Youth Council (NYC), gathered from over 60,000 youths aged 15 to 35 between late 2024 and early 2026, indicates that nearly half of youths feel stressed about future uncertainty, and more than half worry about keeping pace with the rapidly evolving skill requirements of the economy.
To address these challenges, the NYC introduced the SG Youth Plan in July, a five-year strategy aimed at helping young Singaporeans become more confident, connected, and contributing citizens. A central feature of the plan is the expansion of Mentoring SG, a national initiative launched in 2022 to enhance mentorship offerings. The program seeks to provide 20,000 mentoring opportunities annually and increase the mentor pool from just over 1,000 to 5,000 by 2030. Tay supports this expansion, seeing mentorship as crucial for gaining feedback, honing skills, and building professional networks.
Experts note that young workers entering the labour market during the pandemic faced a subtle but significant loss of informal learning opportunities that typically occur through casual workplace interactions. Derrick Teo, a certified senior professional at the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, highlighted that while these workers secured jobs, many missed out on observing experienced colleagues and learning on the job in traditional ways.
Concerns about career readiness also vary by age. Among youths aged 15 to 19, uncertainty about study and career pathways is prevalent. A majority express difficulty knowing how to gain career exposure or where to begin looking for opportunities. For example, 23-year-old Nanyang Technological University graduate Janelle Ling has yet to apply for permanent roles and considers freelancing while remaining open to production or journalism jobs. She described her hesitation to apply for permanent positions due to fear of committing to work she might dislike.
The SG Youth Plan includes initiatives like job-tasting programs, short-term career exposure opportunities ranging from half a day to several weeks. NYC plans to offer 10,000 such experiences in 2026 and expand to 30,000 annually by 2030 through partnerships across public, private, and people sectors. These opportunities are accessible via the Discover online platform, designed to support youth through key life transitions. Teo emphasized the value of job-tasting in helping first-time job seekers explore career options and discover preferences without high pressure or risk.
Ling expressed enthusiasm for these programs, stating she would readily participate in a job-taster role, even unpaid, to gain firsthand insight before fully committing. Workforce solutions expert Francois Lancon, regional president of Asia-Pacific and Middle East at ManpowerGroup, praised the SG Youth Plan’s comprehensive approach, which combines career exploration, mentorship, workplace exposure, overseas opportunities, and future-ready skills like artificial intelligence literacy. He noted that modern careers are less linear, requiring diverse support at different stages.
Lancon advised young job seekers and those considering career changes to remain curious and open to various opportunities, viewing each experience as a learning step toward finding the right career fit, even if it is not their final destination.