~ Under AI-Ready SG, an initiative of the NTUC Job Security Council, members can receive first-of-its-kind subsidies for AI tool subscriptions ~
~ The subsidy will be complemented by AI training pathways for workers at all skill levels ~
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) announced the launch of the AI-Ready SG initiative at the NTUC Career Festival today. The initiative aims to equip workers and businesses with the capabilities, confidence and opportunities to thrive in an AI-enabled future. Its launch is a timely response to the 2026 Budget Statement by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, which underscored the need to support workers and companies in adapting and succeeding in an AI-enabled economy.
Amid global uncertainties and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technological change, workers have different job anxieties. NTUC’s Survey on Economic Sentiments1 conducted with 2,000 workers in 2025 found that job security is the top-of-mind concern for 1 in 5 respondents. Job insecurity stems from economic uncertainties, AI/automation, and fear of skills obsolescence. PMEs are also more worried about the impact of AI on their jobs.
NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Ng Chee Meng, who is the Guest-of-Honour for the NTUC Career Festival, shared that the new AI-Ready SG initiative represents NTUC’s focus on supporting workers and addressing their job security concerns through the changes brought about by AI transformation.
NTUC Launches AI‑Ready SG to Equip Workers for an AI‑Enabled Future
SG Ng said, “PMEs are facing mounting pressures in this period of significant disruption. That is why we launched AI-Ready SG to walk alongside our workers, support them through change, and ensure a fair transition for them. The new AI tool subscription subsidy is one of the practical ways that NTUC is helping our workers better prepare for the jobs of the future. At the same time, we will work closely with the Government and employers to create better jobs for workers. With both skilled workers and future-ready jobs in place, NTUC will then serve as the bridge to better match them.”
Empowering Workers for Future of Work: First-Ever AI Tool Subscription Subsidy and AI Training Pathways
As a key effort under the AI-Ready SG initiative, NTUC will empower workers to become Better Workers by enabling the learning and application of AI skills in their daily work, thereby strengthening their long-term employability. To encourage AI learning and adoption, NTUC will provide funding support to help NTUC members defray up to 50 per cent of subscription costs for eligible AI tools. This first-of-its-kind subsidy will provide members with greater access to AI tools that enhance productivity, and support tasks such as content creation and writing. The funding support will be piloted for two years, with training incorporated as part of the adoption process. More details will be announced in due course.
This will be complemented by AI training pathways made available to all workers. Developed by NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), the pathways are tailored to workers’ skill level, job and sector2, and based on skills gaps identified through on-the-ground engagement with employers, industry partners and business leaders. The pathways are designed to be accessible, relevant and responsive to evolving industry needs, and are aligned with the national Skills Frameworks. The aim is to provide workers with a clear starting point and direction to build their AI-related skills.
Beyond upskilling and greater access to AI tools, NTUC will also enhance career development support for workers through the new NTUC LearningHub Career Mentorship Programme. The programme connects PMEs with certified, experienced mentors who offer structured, practical guidance, through an AI‑enabled match‑scoring system that pairs mentees with mentors aligned to their career goals. This personalised support helps workers gain clearer direction, navigate transitions with confidence, and stay adaptable in a rapidly evolving job market.
Unlocking Future-Ready Jobs: NTUC Enhances Workers’ Job Security Through Business Transformation and Job Redesign
NTUC will also support workers and companies towards Better Jobs through business transformation and job redesign. This is anchored on NTUC’s Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative and the CTC Grant administered by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)3 To date, more than 13,000 workers are set to benefit from the CTC Grant through wage increases, skills allowances and/or structured career pathways through the Career Development Plans. In particular, the number of AI-related CTC Grant projects embarked by companies in 2025 more than doubled from 2024 – a clear sign of growing interest and investment in AI technologies. These outcomes will ultimately strengthen workers’ job security and AI skills, supporting their progression into more resilient and future-ready roles.
To further advance workers’ AI awareness and competency and to guide companies in business transformation, NTUC also launched the Sectoral AI Playbooks.4 Focusing on sectors that face the most AI disruption, the playbooks will be progressively released and will offer practical insights and resources for workers to begin their AI upskilling journey, and for companies to embark business transformation and job redesign, with NTUC’s support.
Enabling Better Job Matching: NTUC Career Festival Integrates Upskilling, Business Transformation and Job Opportunities
With worker upskilling and business transformation happening in tandem, NTUC will bring these efforts together by Better Matching upskilled workers to future-ready job roles. The NTUC Career Festival exemplifies this approach, offering skills development pathways, business transformation support and job opportunities all under one roof.
As AI technologies become increasingly adopted across workplaces to enhance productivity, workers across sectors are increasingly encouraged to develop practical AI capabilities. The NTUC Career Festival is therefore designed to support workers in understanding how AI is shaping work, building confidence in using AI tools, and developing relevant skills that can be applied in their current and future roles.
During the event, SG Ng witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NTUC’s e2i and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to enhance career readiness and employability support for fresh graduates through joint job matching activities, industry engagement, knowledge exchange and other targeted initiatives.
SG Ng also visited the Career Xchange Lounge, where jobseekers can access career resources and view practical AI application showcases to better understand the future of work and explore suitable career pathways. SG Ng also saw the NTUC AI Career Coach (AICC), an AI-powered self-help platform that scales NTUC’s e2i’s ability to support workers beyond physical touchpoints. The AICC enables jobseekers to access aggregated job-matching recommendations, personalise resumes with AI guidance, prepare for interviews, and explore career pathways and skills upgrading options aligned to their interests. As of January 2026, the AICC has seen more than 5,000 sign-ups.
The NTUC Career Festival will be held from 13 to 14 February 2026 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The two-day event is expected to attract an even larger turnout than its inaugural edition and feature over 5,000 job opportunities from more than 70 employers, including many entry-level job roles for fresh graduates and youth.
1Source: https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/resource-hub/all-reports/survey-on-economic-sentiments-2026
2 These AI training pathways include:
3 The CTC Grant, administered by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), co-funds up to 70 per cent of qualifying cost for companies’ transformation projects or training tied to the transformation project.
4The first three Sectoral AI Playbooks were released on 13 Feb 2026, focusing on the Electronics, Marine & Engineering sector, Hospitality and Consumer Business sector, and Essential Domestic Services sector.
