Degree holders gain more as over 5 in 10 S'pore workers see significant changes at workplace: Report

Degree holders are more likely to land jobs that require a high skill level and gain more pay than those without a degree, amid significant changes taking shape at workplaces.

- Elisha Tushara Correspondent

According to the Jobs-Skills Insights Report released on Oct 10, 56 per cent of Singapore workers have reported more opportunities for job-related training and workplace learning as the workplace transforms.

However, degree holders benefit more from these opportunities, showing gains in skills use, pay and autonomy compared with non-degree holders, who saw minimal improvement. The report's analysis found that not all degree holders are highly proficient in literacy and numeracy skills, and not all who are highly proficient in these skills hold degrees.

However, even if degree holders had lower literacy and numeracy skills than non-degree holders, they were much more likely to be hired for high-skilled jobs. Their chances of doing so have risen from 61 per cent 10 years ago, to 74 per cent, nearly matching those of highly skilled degree holders at 78 per cent.

Highly skilled non-degree holders are finding it harder to secure such jobs, with their chances falling from 59 per cent to 39 cent.

Degree holders with moderate or lower skill levels have also made the biggest gains in both pay and workplace autonomy, catching up with their highly skilled peers.

In contrast, non-degree holders with strong skills have seen little improvement, even though their abilities are on a par with those of skilled degree holders.

The report also found that the degree-holding managers and professionals are in jobs where the skills required become increasingly complex over time.