NTUC commits $37m as job security concerns rise amongst PMETs, graduates

The group’s survey showed that nearly one in five saw job security as a top concern.

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will invest about $37m in 2026 to support workers and their families, alongside efforts to grow its community fund to $500m over the next five years.

In addition, NTUC and FairPrice Group will roll out $5m in savings on essential items during the May Day period.

The move comes as workers remain concerned despite a resilient economy, with rising retrenchments amongst professionals, managers, executives and technicians, and graduates finding it harder to secure jobs, said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.

Moreover, the group’s survey findings show that nearly one in five workers identified job security as a top concern.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also expected to have a broad impact across sectors, including healthcare, law and accountancy, and could reduce entry-level opportunities for younger workers.

“The AI era demands the same, if not stronger, tripartite collaboration,” Ng added.

The Tripartite Jobs Council, announced on 29 April by NTUC, the Ministry of Manpower, and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), will coordinate support for workforce transformation, training, and job transitions.

The council will bring together the government’s Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package and advisory services from SNEF.

Within the labour movement, NTUC LearningHub has introduced AI training pathways tailored to different sectors.

Union members will also receive funding support for AI tool subscriptions from 1 May.