GRIT applications fall 90% as more graduates secure full-time roles

The number of filled traineeships has since increased to close to 400.

Applications for the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) have fallen by about 90% since the scheme was launched in October 2025, according to the Ministry of Manpower (MoM).

"Based on feedback from many host organisations, a significant number of applicants had declined traineeship offers as they had found full-time employment or decided to pursue other opportunities," the ministry said in a parliamentary reply to questions.

As of February 2026, 350 fresh graduates had been placed under the GRIT and GRIT@Gov programmes. The number of filled traineeships has since increased to close to 400 out of 800 provisioned vacancies.

The 350 trainees were roughly split equally between GRIT and GRIT@Gov. About one-third of GRIT trainees were with small and medium enterprises, corresponding to about one-third of GRIT vacancies offered by SMEs.

The MoM said host organisations that offer permanent employment to trainees before the completion of the traineeship would not be disadvantaged.

"If a host organisation hires a trainee who has completed at least three months of the traineeship, the organisation will continue to receive subsidies for the remainder of the traineeship duration," it added.

As the first batch commenced in December 2025, there have been no conversions so far.

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