This is part of the Ultimate Guide to Higher Education series. If you'd like to know more about other types of higher education you can pursue, we strongly recommend that you read the guide.
Are you thinking about continuing your studies after finishing at JC/ITE/Poly? What if stepping straight into the working world could be a good option too?
In the past, going straight to work was often seen as the only option for those who couldn’t afford more education or didn’t have the grades for it.
But times are changing fast. Could starting work right away actually be a better choice for more people now?
We’re going to share some important things you need to know about heading to work without getting more qualifications first.
We hope this info helps you make the best choice for your future!
Employability
Perhaps the most important question for many is whether you will be able to secure a good job and sustain financially without furthering your studies. Here we break it down for each type of graduates
Employability Prospects for Polytechnic Diploma Holders
A polytechnic diploma is generally considered sufficient to secure many different types of job.
Depending on the diploma that you complete, you may have job prospects in several fields such as engineering, health care, or banking and finance.
Since polytechnics emphasise applied learning, graduates are perceived to have a good grasp of essential industry knowledge and skills, which increase their employability.
Further, one prime feature of polytechnics is that these schools have strong industry partnerships and connections, so student work internship and training are built into the curricula.
Again, this means that polytechnic graduates are well exposed to industry practices, which boosts their employability.
In fact, the 2022 Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey reports that 91.8% of polytechnic graduates in the current labour force found jobs within six months of graduation or after completion of full-time National Service.
This points to the high employability of diploma holders, and underscores the fact that they are perceived to be skilled, competent, and readily employable.
Employability Prospects for ITE Certification Holders
Graduates of ITE can also opt to work directly after gaining their NITEC.
Similar to polytechnic schools, ITE seeks to equip students with technical and vocational education experience, so that graduates are well prepared to join the workforce.
Further, like with polytechnics, ITE students benefit from industry attachments that are meant to bolster their competence and employability.
Graduates with a NITEC have potential careers in several industry sectors, including engineering, design, media, and hospitality.
However, it must be noted here that some ITE graduates report that they are perceived to be less trained as compared to polytechnic or university graduates.
This may mean that ITE graduates may have a harder time securing jobs after securing a NITEC. Luckily, there are available pathways that can bolster employability and help ITE graduates secure better career prospects, such as a Higher NITEC or a Work-Study Diploma.
Employability Prospects for A-Level Qualification Holders
As mentioned previously, the primary goal of a JC education is to prepare students for university admission.
When specifically considering job-readiness, diplomas may be perceived to have an advantage, as this pathway was developed to enable individuals to enter the workforce immediately, with direct streams to specific careers.
Nonetheless, A-Level qualifications don’t necessarily disqualify individuals from entering the workforce.
Individuals who hold A-Level qualifications may still find jobs. For instance, among employers hiring individuals with A-Level qualifications is the Land Transport Authority.
Do be aware that you might have limited options when seeking a job with an A-Level qualification, so your best bet may be to highlight your soft skills, or any relevant work experience or internship.
However, students with A-Level qualifications are well-placed to pursue a university degree.
Completing a degree immensely boosts employability, since there are employers who prefer individuals with university degrees over diplomas or NITECs.
Typical Career Path
When thinking about jobs, a good question is: What kind of job can you get with a diploma, an A-Level, or a NITEC?
The graph below shows the different kinds of jobs people got in 2020, based on their highest education, as reported by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Jobs are grouped by different types according to Singapore job classifications.
From the graph, the big difference between people with at least a degree and those without is that there are more professionals in the first group. Most ITE, A-level, and Diploma graduates work as associate professionals and technicians.
With regards to the specific occupations, the top 5 occupations of ITE, Diploma and A-Level is as follows:
Remember, these are just the common jobs and it doesn’t mean you should only choose from these.
Also, some jobs that people with degrees don’t usually do, like being a plumber or an electrician, can be a very high earning job, especially if you decide to start your own business offering these high in demand services.
Expected Salary
Salary is another major consideration for those looking to work directly after completing polytechnic, JC, or ITE. The data that we will be presenting below may, again, be information worth knowing and considering.
Here’s a graph showing the starting salary that one might expect with each qualification:
The median salary for ITE graduates is $1,400, and for Poly & A Level graduates, it’s $1,800. This might seem far less compared to what Degree holders make, but remember to think about the cost of getting a degree.
For example, if you're a poly graduate earning the median monthly salary of $1,800 and decide to pursue a full-time degree that takes 2 years to complete, you would be giving up the chance to earn $43,200 in potential income during that period.
When you add the $30,000 in degree fees to this lost income, you could essentially be $73,200 better off by choosing to work instead of pursuing the degree.
Plus, you'd have two years of work experience under your belt, so your salary could be much higher than the starting salary of degree holders when they enter the workforce.
However, it's important to note that people with degrees often see their salaries go up faster as they gain more work experience, depending on the type of job they have.
From the screenshot of a CNA report, you can see how degree holders (green line) start to get higher salary exponentially quicker than poly/a-levels/ITE graduates.
This difference gets even bigger by year 12, where people with degrees see a much bigger jump in salary compared to those without degrees.
Pros of working immediately
While the information above shows various pros and cons (depending on how you look at it), here are some specific points for you to think about:
1. Early entry into workforce:
- Gaining Experience: Starting work earlier allows for the accumulation of practical experience, which can be invaluable in many industries and contribute to career advancement.
- Understanding Work Environment: Early exposure to the working world helps in developing soft skills, understanding workplace dynamics, and building professional relationships.
2. Financial advantages:
- Earning Sooner: By starting work immediately, individuals can start earning and potentially saving money much sooner than their peers who pursue further studies. Here is a good article on why you savings money at an earlier age can have compound effect.
- Avoiding Student Loans: Avoiding further studies means avoiding additional student loans and the financial burden associated with them.
3. Developing skills:
- Learning on the Job: Many skills are developed and refined on the job, and practical, hands-on experience can sometimes be more beneficial than theoretical knowledge.
For instance, if you’re learning to be a chef, having two years of training while working can really help you start your cooking career, even before people who are studying for a bachelor's degree graduate.
4. Flexibility:
- Part-Time Education: Individuals can still choose to pursue further education part-time while working if they wish to upskill or reskill.
5. Addressing market demand:
- Fulfilling Immediate Needs: Certain sectors and industries have immediate needs for skilled workers and do not necessarily require a degree qualification.
- Vocational Skills Demand: In some industries, vocational skills learned at ITE/Polytechnic are in high demand, and immediate employment can address market needs effectively.
While these strengths are substantial, it’s important to consider individual career goals, industry requirements, and personal circumstances when deciding whether to pursue further education or enter the workforce immediately.
In some cases and professions, having a degree might be essential or extremely beneficial for long-term career progression and success.
Cons of working immediately
1. Limited career advancement in certain industries:
Without a degree, you might find fewer opportunities for promotions or advancements in your career compared to degree holders, as some companies have strict educational requirements for higher-level positions. Additionally, certain jobs require technical knowledge at a bachelor's level, which essentially rules out those without such qualifications
2. Salary ceiling in certain industries:
While entering the workforce immediately does provide early income, there may be a limit to how much one can earn in the long run without a degree, potentially leading to a lower lifetime earning compared to degree holders.
3. Restricted Job Options:
Some jobs, especially specialized and managerial roles, require at least a bachelor's degree as a minimum qualification, potentially limiting the job options available to non-degree holders.
4. Competitive Job Market:
The job market in Singapore can be highly competitive, and lacking a degree might place individuals at a disadvantage when competing with degree holders for the same positions. This is especially so since Singapore still values education strongly
5. Perception Issues:
Despite equivalent experience, some employers may perceive non-degree holders as less qualified, potentially affecting job opportunities and advancements.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the choice between immediate work and further education depends on your individual goals and aspirations, and personal circumstances.
As you have seen, each path has its own merits. But, as with any journey, it is wise to be prepared by knowing what may be up ahead.
Hopefully, we’ve been able to present information and data for key considerations for each path, which will in turn help you make well-informed decisions.
The final choice is still yours to make — and we wish you the best of luck as you make it.