THE EQUITY QUEST is a challenge
This change has a particular impact on students and young people from less affluent backgrounds.  ,
Prior to now, on-the-job education had helped level the playing field. However, those without industry contacts face significant obstacles if entry-level jobs now demand pre-existing experience without providing teaching opportunities.
This is already being seen in rising expectations for portfolios and paid internships. In Singapore, 68 percent of young employment seekers reported that apprenticeship experience is now viewed as “essential” rather than “preferred” for entry-level positions, according to a survey conducted by the 2024 National Youth Council.
We filter both the richness and depth of potential skills when only those who can “fake it” with AI equipment or safe mentorship through private networks are considered hireable.
A STRUCTURED Alternative
Singapore might take the initiative of launching a nationwide apprenticeship program that is based on the SGUnited Traineeships program from COVID-19 but redesigned for the AI era.
Such a strategy might include:
Give 12 to 24 month paid placements for new graduates, polytechnicians, and ITE students.
• Emphasise AI-augmented job with true mentoring  ,  ,  
Include structured opinions, not only important performance measures to strike;
• Recognize and honor senior staff ‘ contributions to shaping coming talent by explicitly encouraging them to do so;
Similar programs have produced encouraging results in other nations. Youth unemployment rates in Germany are 5.7 %, which is significantly below the European Union average of 14.5 percent.  ,
The SkillsFuture Earn and Learn program in Singapore has a 93 % job placement level in technical fields. It is time to apply this achievement to other areas of knowledge.  ,