Budget 2026 for Graduates & Job Seekers
Graduating in 2026? PM Wong has a message for you: learn AI or get left behind. But here's the thing—he's also handing you free tools to do it. Budget 2026 has some genuinely useful stuff for fresh grads and job seekers, buried under the political language. Here's what you actually need to know.
Budget 2026 Guide Series
This article is part of our comprehensive Budget 2026 analysis. Explore guides tailored to your demographic or sector:
Overview
Demographics
Property
The Quick Summary
| What | Details | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Free AI tools | 6 months premium ChatGPT, Gemini, etc. | Learn AI skills at zero cost |
| SkillsFuture + WSG merger | One-stop portal for training + jobs | Easier job search and career planning |
| EP minimum raised | $6,000 ($6,600 for finance) | Less foreign competition at entry level |
| Startup funding | $1B new growth capital | More startup jobs |
| SGX-NASDAQ bridge | Dual-listing framework | More finance sector jobs |
| AI park at one-north | New compute infrastructure hub | New tech jobs in AI/ML |
The Jobs Landscape: Where the Growth Is
PM Wong expects 2–4% GDP growth in 2026—decent but not spectacular. The economy added jobs in 2025 and unemployment stayed low. But the mix of jobs is shifting fast. The sectors getting the most government money (and therefore likely the most hiring):
- Artificial Intelligence: National AI Council formed, AI park at one-north, mandatory AI literacy across all universities/polys/ITE
- Semiconductors: Advanced packaging and chip design investment continuing
- Quantum computing: New research funding announced
- Biomedical sciences: Continued expansion, especially in precision medicine
- Financial services: SGX-NASDAQ bridge, $1.5B Financial Sector Development Fund top-up
- Aerospace & marine: Growing but with restructured foreign worker levies
What this actually means: If you're studying or recently graduated in tech, data, finance, or science, the job market is in your favour. If you're in a more traditional field, the government is pushing hard for you to pick up AI skills—and they're funding it.
Free AI Tools: Take This Seriously
The government is offering 6 months of free premium AI tool access—including paid tiers of ChatGPT, Gemini, and others—when you enrol in selected SkillsFuture courses. Premium AI tools cost $20–$30/month, so that's $120–$180 in free software.
More importantly, AI literacy is becoming mandatory across all IHLs (universities, polytechnics, ITE). This isn't optional anymore—it's being integrated into every programme, not just computer science.
What this actually means: Every graduate from 2027 onwards will be expected to have basic AI competency. If you're graduating in 2026, you're in the transition year—take the courses and get the free tools to stay competitive with the next cohort.
One-Stop Career Portal: SkillsFuture + WSG Merger
Here's something that genuinely makes job searching easier. SkillsFuture (training courses) and Workforce Singapore (job placement) are merging into one agency. Instead of browsing courses on one site and jobs on another, you'll have one portal that connects skills training directly to job opportunities.
The redesigned SkillsFuture website will also have clearer AI learning pathways—so instead of scrolling through thousands of random courses, you can follow structured paths from "AI basics" to "industry-specific AI applications."
EP Salary Floor at $6,000: Less Competition?
The Employment Pass minimum salary is going up to $6,000 (and $6,600 for financial services). S Pass minimum rises to $3,600 from January 2027.
What this actually means: Companies can't bring in foreign talent at lower salaries. At the entry level (where most fresh grads compete), this reduces the foreign talent pool. It doesn't guarantee you a job, but it shifts the playing field slightly in favour of local graduates.
$1B in Startup Funding: More Startup Jobs
The Startup SG Equity programme gets another $1 billion for growth-stage companies. This is government co-investment alongside VCs—meaning more startups get funded, scale up, and hire.
If you're considering the startup route (as an employee or founder), the pipeline is getting thicker. Combined with the SGX-NASDAQ dual listing bridge, there's also a clearer exit path for startups—which makes VCs more willing to invest, which means more funded startups, which means more jobs.
Financial Sector Expansion
Singapore is investing heavily in financial markets infrastructure. The $1.5 billion Anchor Fund (tranche 2) aims to attract more companies to list on SGX. The new SGX-NASDAQ dual listing framework creates a bridge between Asian and US capital markets.
For fresh grads interested in finance, this means more roles in investment banking, equity research, fund management, and fintech. Singapore is trying to compete with Hong Kong for Asian financial hub status—and they're putting real money behind it.
Your Money: Starting Smart
As a fresh grad, you're probably more focused on landing a job and paying rent than investing. Fair enough. But Budget 2026's emphasis on rising costs and uncertainty is a reminder that building financial resilience early matters.
A few principles for when you start earning:
- Emergency fund first: 3–6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account
- CPF is working for you: Your employer contributions start from Day 1. Read our guide to the new CPF investment scheme
- Start small with diversification: Even $100/month into assets like gold provides inflation protection. See our beginner's guide to gold investment
- Understand your options: Gold vs Bitcoin, physical vs ETFs—know what's out there
Read More Budget 2026 Guides
- Budget 2026: Top 10 Things You Need to Know
- Budget 2026 for Salaried Employees
- Budget 2026 for Business Owners & SMEs
- Budget 2026 for Seniors & Retirees
- Budget 2026 for Investors
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs are best for fresh graduates after Budget 2026?
Budget 2026 signals the strongest growth in AI/machine learning, semiconductors, quantum computing, biomedical sciences, and financial services. These sectors are receiving the most government investment through grants, infrastructure (AI park at one-north), and regulatory support (SGX-NASDAQ bridge).
How do I get the free AI tools from Budget 2026?
Enrol in selected SkillsFuture courses to receive 6 months of free premium AI tool access. Eligible courses will be listed on the redesigned SkillsFuture portal launching in 2026. Tools include paid tiers of ChatGPT, Gemini, and others.
Does Budget 2026 make it easier for graduates to find jobs?
Indirectly, yes. The SkillsFuture-WSG merger creates a one-stop portal for training and job matching. Higher EP minimums ($6,000) reduce foreign competition at entry level. And $1B in startup funding means more companies hiring. The job market outlook is 2–4% GDP growth.
Should fresh graduates care about CPF changes in Budget 2026?
The CPF rate changes only affect workers aged 55+, so not immediately. But the new CPF life-cycle investment scheme (2028) is relevant—it'll let you invest your CPF in professionally managed portfolios from early in your career, potentially including gold ETF exposure.
What's the best way to start investing as a fresh graduate in Singapore?
Build an emergency fund first (3–6 months expenses). Then start small: use your CPF (it's already growing), explore where to buy gold in Singapore, and consider dollar-cost averaging into diversified assets. Even $100/month adds up over decades.