Fewer Full-Time Jobs, But Higher Pay
Singapore’s polytechnic graduates are entering a more competitive yet promising job market in 2024. While full-time employment has dipped, there’s a surprising silver lining: salaries are going up.
At Kanry Search, a trusted recruitment firm in Singapore, we help businesses and graduates navigate these evolving trends with confidence and clarity.
📉 Full-Time Jobs Are Down — What’s Happening?
The Graduate Employment Survey (GES) 2024 revealed a drop in employment among fresh poly grads:
âś… 87.5% overall employment (vs 92.7% in 2023)
📉 54.6% secured full-time permanent roles (vs 59.8% in 2023)
đź’Ľ More graduates opted for part-time/temporary work or continued their studies
👉 This means companies may face more competition and need to act fast when hiring quality junior talent.
đź’° But Salaries Are On the Rise
Despite the dip in job placements, poly grads are earning more than in previous years:
| Group | 2023 Median Salary | 2024 Median Salary |
| All Graduates | $2,800 | $2,900 |
| Fresh Graduates | $2,700 | $2,800 |
| Post-National Service Grads | $2,963 | $3,000 |
🧪 Course Matters: Which Sectors Are Hot (and Not)?
| ✅ Strong Employment Outcomes: | ⚠️ Challenging Sectors: |
| Health Sciences | Engineering |
| Humanities & Social Sciences | Information & Digital Tech |
đź‘” What Employers Should Know
If you’re hiring polytechnic grads — especially for entry-level roles in engineering, healthcare, or digital tech — you need to be competitive in:
đź’µ Compensation
Even junior talent has rising salary expectations. Benchmark against market trends or work with a recruitment agency like Kanry for insights.
🧩 Flexibility
Many grads are seeking part-time, freelance, or contract staffing arrangements while they pursue further education or training.
🌱 Career Progression
Gen Z wants to know: “Where will this job take me?” Offer clear growth paths and mentorship opportunities to attract and retain.
At Kanry Search, we help clients build hiring pipelines that work, whether you’re seeking junior talent or specialised contractors.
🧑‍🎓 Advice for Polytechnic Graduates
✅ Upskill continuously – even in temp roles, every project builds your resume
🤝 Network smart – use LinkedIn and recruitment firms to access hidden job markets
🎯 Stay open – Upskill where needed and be open to contract or project-based roles — they often lead to full-time conversion.
Need guidance? Let Kanry’s executive search consultants guide your career path.
đź“ť Final Thoughts
The job market for polytechnic grads is changing: slower to hire, but quicker to reward. Employers must adapt, and graduates must stay sharp.
With the right strategy, both sides can thrive in this new normal.
📩 Contact Kanry Search to build future-ready hiring plans or find your next opportunity in Singapore’s evolving employment market.
đź“š Sources
• MOM: Full-time resident employees receiving only seven days of annual leave
• HCAMag: Full-time work for polytechnic graduates declines in 2024
