IGHLIGHTS ESPONDENTS. JobsCentral Learning. An annual study of higher education preferences in Singapore January 2015

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1 IGHLIGHTS achelor s EDUCATION egreepreferenc JobsCentral Learning ostgraduate Survey Report 2014 ROFILE OF HIG An annual study of higher education preferences in Singapore January 2015 ESPONDENTS achelor s egree Dip Ad Dip ostgraduate iploma / dvanced iploma This report is published by: CareerBuilder (Singapore) Pte Ltd 3A International Business Park, #08-08, ICON@IBP, Tower A, Singapore Survey Contact: Jonathan Tay (jonathan.tay@careerbuilder.com) Copyright 2015 CareerBuilder Singapore. This document is copyrighted; any unauthorized use of it may violate copyright, trademark and other laws. For permission to use content from this document or reprints, please contact CareerBuilder (Singapore) Pte Ltd at: jonathan.tay@careerbuilder.com or call (65)

2 01 HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS Rising Popularity of Postgraduate Studies Since the beginning of this study in 2009, Postgraduate studies have consistently garnered the highest interest among those pursing further education and this intent has grown steadily through the years. This year, nearly half the respondents intending to pursue further education (48%) say that they would be taking up Postgraduate studies. This proportion comprises of those interested in a Master s degree (4) and Doctorate (6%). Furthermore, interest in Postgraduate studies is at its highest in six years climbing from 37% in 2010 and 4 in The interest to pursue a Postgraduate degree is especially pronounce amongst those under the age of 30. This year, 53% of those aged under 30 has indicated an interest to pursue a Postgraduate degree, up from 43% in % PURSUING A POSTGRADUTE DEGREE BY AGE % 50% 43% 46% 38% 3 27% 27% 2 26% Under and over Growing Number of Older Learners Keen on Diploma Studies While the interest in Postgraduate education peaks amongst young adult learners, a surge of older individuals are indicating an interest in pursuing a Diploma. Overall, the interest in Diploma studies observe an increase from 18% in 2013 to 26% this year. In addition, the proportion interested in this qualification level saw an increase across all age groups, with the most prominent growth among those in the age groups of 50 to 59 years old (up from 2 to 53%) and those 60 years old and above (up from 1 to 5). This growth may be attributed to the Singapore Government s support in the continued employment of older individuals through training grants. One such grant is the Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme 1, which provides financial awards to older low-wage workers and their employers. 1 Workfare Training Support Scheme, Ministry of Manpower, <

3 02 HIGHLIGHTS % PURSUING A DIPLOMA BY AGE 53% % 19% 17% 2 14% 26% 2 1 Under and over Career advancement The Key to Pursuing Higher Education The intention to pursue higher education remains high this year, albeit a dip compared to This year, nearly threein-four adult learners (7) say that they would be pursuing further education, down from 83% in 2013 while matching a similar proportion in 2012 (7). % PURSUING FURTHER EDUCATION, 2010 TO % 7 70% The key motivation for pursuing higher education is to enhance one s prospect in his or her career. In fact, more than onefifth of adult learners (2) anticipate advancements in their careers upon completing further education. On top of that, those furthering their education are hopeful that the added academic credentials will improve their employability (17%) and open up opportunities for entering other industries (8%). Other motivations for pursuing higher education include self-improvement (20%) and personal interest (13%). On the flip side, individuals are likely to put off pursuing higher education due to: Financial constraints (17%) Satisfaction with current education level (16%) Family commitments (14%) Work commitments (14%) Do not foresee any positive effect to their career (13%)

4 03 HIGHLIGHTS Recognition of Certificate An Important Factor When Deciding On Education Institution More than half of adult learners (54%) say that they would be pursuing their higher education part-time and most would be taking up a course in Business studies/ Management (14%). Given that most adult learners are pursuing higher education to facilitate advancements in their careers, it is therefore essential that their attained academic certificates are recognized by employers. 9 of adult learners ascribed Recognition of Certificate as a factor with a significant influence on their decision to enroll into a school. This gave it the highest average rating of 4.6 on a five-point scale and is followed by Course fees (4.4) and School s Reputation (4.3). IMportant factors when deciding on education institution Average rating (Out of 5) Recognition of certificate / awarding institute (n=2,196) 9 7% 4.6 Course fees (n=2,196) 84% School s reputation (n=2,196) Course syllabus (n=2,196) 83% 14% 4.2 Lecture schedules (n=2,196) 79% 17% 4.1 Course lectures/ facilitators (n=2,196) 77% 19% 4.1 Location of school (n=2,196) 69% 23% 8% 4.0 Admission requirements / eligibility (n=2,196) 64% 26% 10% 3.8 School s facilities (n=2,196) 60% 30% 10% 3.7 School s alumni network (n=2,196) 49% 3 19% 3.4 Overseas attachment opportunities (n=2,196) 46% 3 23% 3.3 Very Important Neutral Not Important

5 04 HIGHLIGHTS Schools Websites A Preferred Source to Attain Information The pursuit of higher education encompasses both mental and financial commitments and could stretch over a period of time. As such, adult learners want to be able to gather adequate information before deciding on a suitable education institution. To aid in their informed decision-making, 2 indicated that their preferred source for information is from the school s websites. Most websites of schools provide information about the courses offered, programme fees and programme duration. Some schools would also highlight their media coverage, publications and testimonials on their websites, hence giving page visitors a sense of the school s branding and creditability. Other popular channels of attaining information on education institutions include attending career and education fairs (18%), ers (16%) and education-centric online portals (1). Preferred Source of Information About Education Institution Website of the institute 2 Career and education fairs 18% ers 16% Online learning portals 1 Print media (Magazine/ newspapers) Family and peers 10% 10% Social media channels 8% Broadcast media(television/ radio) Others 0.

6 05 ABOUT THE SURVEY ABOUT THE SURVEY First launched in 2009, the JobsCentral Learning Survey is by-far the most comprehensive study conducted on higher education landscape in Singapore. JobsCentral Learning Survey 2014 was conducted online from 16 th October to 16 th November 2014 among 3,078 individuals, aged 16 and above. Incomplete and duplicated responses were discarded and NOT considered as part of the total sample size. At a confidence level of 9 and a sample size of 3,078, the results have a margin sampling error of +/ per cent. PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS Profile of Respondents Count % Total 3, % Age Under % % % % % % and over 47 Gender Female 1,814 59% Male 1,264 4 Highest Academic Level Doctorate / PhD 18 Master's Degree % Graduate / Higher Diploma 64 Bachelor's Degree 1,229 40% Advanced / Specialist Diploma 134 4% Diploma % NITEC / Higher NITEC / NTC 125 4% GCE 'A' Levels / Pre-University 140 GCE 'N' / 'O' Levels 277 9% Primary 16 Other 39

7 06 ABOUT THE SURVEY Employment Status Employed - Full-time 1,904 6 Employed - Part-time 160 Contract / Temporary 151 Self-Employed 113 4% Serving National Service 17 Full-time Student Retired 21 Seeking Employment Other 24 Years of Full-Time Work Experience No Full-Time Work Experience % Under % 5 to % 10 to % 15 to % 20 to % 25 to % 30 and over 160 AGE 26% 2 14% 6% 1 8% 6% 4% Under and over GENDER Male, 4 Female, 59%

8 07 ABOUT THE SURVEY Highest Academic Level 40% 24% 10% 9% 4% 4% Doctorate / PhD Master s Degree Graduate / Higher Diploma Bachelor s Degree Advanced / Specialist Diploma Diploma NITEC / Higher NITEC / NTC GCE A Levels / Pre- University GCE N / O Levels Primary Other Employment Status Employed - Full-time 6 Employed - Part-time Contract / Temporary Self-Employed 4% Serving National Service Full-time Student 1 Retired Seeking Employment 1 Other Years of Full-Time Work Experience 28% 16% 18% 14% 8% 7% 4% No Full- Time Work Experience Under 5 5 to 9 10 to to to to and over

9 08 About the survey PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS Profile of Respondents Count % Total (With Full-Time Work Experience Only) 2, % Sector of Work Private - MNC 1,201 46% Private - SME % Public - Government/ Statutory board/ NGO % Industry of Work Manufacturing 150 6% Construction 60 Services 2,329 90% Professional, Scientific & Technical Services Education % Information & Communications 233 9% Financial & Insurance Services 225 9% Health & Social Services 169 7% Transportation & Storage 135 Administrative & Support Services 128 Wholesale & Retail Trade 112 4% Accommodation & Food Services 107 4% Public Administration & Defence 57 Real Estate Services 45 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 31 Other Service Activities 84 3% Other Industries 52 Level of Occupation Senior Management (Director/ C-Suite Position Holder) 94 4% Manager % Professional/ Executive 1,118 43% Associate Professional/ Technician 208 8% Administrative/ Support Staff Service/ Sales Staff 199 8% Gross Monthly Salary Under S$1, S$1,000 - S$1, % S$2,000 - S$2, S$3,000 - S$3, S$4,000 - S$4, S$5,000 - S$5, % S$6,000 - S$6, % S$7,000 - S$7, S$8,000 - S$8, S$9,000 - S$9, S$10,000 and above 87 3%

10 09 About the survey Sector of Work Public - Government/ Statutory board/ NGO, 16% Private - MNC, 46% Private - SME, 37% Industry of Work 90% 6% Manufacturing Construction Services Other Industries Industry of Work - Service Industry Professional, Scientific & Technical Services 2 Education 17% Information & Communications Financial & Insurance Services 9% 9% Health & Social Services 7% Transportation & Storage Administrative & Support Services Wholesale & Retail Trade Accommodation & Food Services 4% 4% Public Administration & Defence Real Estate Services Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Other Service Activities 3%

11 10 About the survey Level of Occupation 43% 17% 2 4% 8% 8% Senior Management (Director/ C-Suite Position Holder) Manager Professional/ Executive Associate Professional/ Technician Administrative/ Support Staff Service/ Sales Staff Gross Monthly Salary % 1 7% 3% 3% Under S$1,000 S$1,000 - S$1,999 S$2,000 - S$2,999 S$3,000 - S$3,999 S$4,000 - S$4,999 S$5,000 - S$5,999 S$6,000 - S$6,999 S$7,000 - S$7,999 S$8,000 - S$8,999 S$9,000 - S$9,999 S$10,000 and above

12 11 About the survey PROFILE OF RESPONDENTS Profile of Respondents Count % Total * 3, % Job Function Administrative Customer Service 264 7% Sales 245 7% Operations 235 7% Accounting/ Audit 214 6% Engineering 196 Management 190 Education/ Training 180 IT Systems/ Support 174 Marketing 146 4% Human Resource 125 3% Finance 106 3% Analyst 86 Consulting 86 Quality Assurance 83 Business Development 79 Supply Chain/ Distribution 73 Research and Development 71 Events Management 67 Health Care Provider 65 Design/ Creative 49 Production 42 Compliance 41 Science 39 Merchandising/ Purchasing 38 Public Relations 35 Risk Management 32 Writing/ Editorial 27 Management Trainee 22 Military Service/ Uniformed Group 19 Legal 9 0.3% Other 18 * Total does not add up to the total no. of respondents as individuals may hold multiple job functions

13 12 About the survey Job Function Administrative Customer Service Sales Operations Accounting/ Audit Engineering Management Education/ Training IT Systems/ Support Marketing Human Resource Finance Analyst Consulting Quality Assurance Business Development Supply Chain/ Distribution Research and Development Events Management Health Care Provider Design/ Creative Production Compliance Science Merchandising/ Purchasing Public Relations Risk Management Writing/ Editorial Management Trainee Military Service/ Uniformed Group Legal Other 7% 7% 7% 6% 4% 3% 3% 0.3% 1

14 13 About CareerBuilder Singapore About CareerBuilder Singapore CareerBuilder Singapore was officially subsumed into the family of CareerBuilder US on September 16, CareerBuilder is the recruitment giant in US and the global leader in human capital solutions; it also has a global presence in more than 60 markets and with more than 2,800 employees worldwide. Today, CareerBuilder Singapore has a multi-faceted team of more than 80 well-trained professionals and we aim to combine our global resources and expertise in the Southeast Asian talent recruitment arena to stay ahead of the industry curve. CareerBuilder Singapore seeks to provide all our clients with an end-to-end delivery. Our expertise and experiences include (but are not limited to): Innovative ready-solutions that can be fully customised to your unique business needs Integrative marketing Creative services Client management and fulfilment Product specialisation Other surveys we conduct include: 1. The BrightSparks Scholarship and Education Survey A measurement for scholarship, higher education and career preferences of potential scholarship recipients Targets GCE A Level/IB Diploma graduates, final year polytechnic students and year 1 and 2 undergraduates 2. The Employers of Choice Survey by CareerBuilder Singapore (University Edition) A study measuring graduates and undergraduates perception of employers in Singapore, as well as their views on what makes an Employer of Choice and various other career-related preferences Targets current undergraduates and graduates who have graduated no longer than 3 years 3. JobsCentral Learning Survey Rates Singapore s private education providers and examines the higher education preferences of the working population (To purchase any of our reports, please contact CareerBuilder Singapore at or nursida.ainey@careerbuilder.com)

15 14 About CareerBuilder Singapore Products and services by CareerBuilder Singapore: