Singapore expands school work programmes but parents stress long-term job retention for disabled youth

To address the “post-18 cliff” for disabled Singaporeans, a government task force suggested adding work-taster programmes in special education schools and boosting job-coaching services for students at the Institute of Technical Education and polytechnics. Parents, including those of autistic twins Victor and Vernon, praised the early-career focus but cautioned that retention, not just placement, will determine success.

Ministry of Manpower figures reveal that just 24.4% of employed disabled residents stay with one employer for at least a year, dropping to 2.2% for seven years. Employers such as OCBC, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, Tea Ideas and Chagee Singapore see the proposals - like an Enabling Employment Grant and a dedicated support office - as tools to design appropriate roles and provide long-term coaching. Advocates stress the need for flexible pathways, continuous training and stronger partnerships among government, schools, disability groups and businesses to ensure people with higher support needs are not left behind.