Expanding education and career guidance to students/grads in freelance employment

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms See Jinli Jean, Nominated Member of Parliament

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider expanding education and career guidance to cater to the interests and needs of students and recent alumni from institutes of higher learning who are already freelancing or exploring freelancing as a form of employment.

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms See Jinli Jean, Nominated Member of Parliament

Question

To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will work with relevant stakeholders such as the National Trades Union Congress and the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices to communicate to graduating students the contact points for guidance should they encounter contract or payment-related issues when freelancing.

Response

1. The Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) provide Education and Career Guidance support to all students as well as recent graduates. To support those who are freelancing or exploring the option, IHLs conduct workshops and talks to provide tips on freelancing and self-employment. These include sessions conducted in collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and professional freelancers from different fields. This helps students to understand their employment rights as freelancers and consider the pros and cons of freelancing in making their career choices.

2. Students and graduates engaged in freelance work who face contract or payment-related disputes may seek help from the Small Claims Tribunal or Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).