3,000 Year-Long Internships to Help Students Adapt to AI Jobs

Singapore plans 3,000 year-long tech internships over three years for ITE, polytechnic and university students. The initiative also expands certification funding and industry-focused pathways as AI reshapes entry-level jobs.

Singapore plans to offer approximately 3,000 year-long internships to tertiary students over the next three years as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes entry-level jobs in the technology sector. The initiative aims to help students gain practical industry experience and improve their transition from education to employment.

The internships form part of Bridge2Tech, an expanded initiative under the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) TIP Alliance+. The programme extends opportunities to students at autonomous universities, alongside eligible Information and Digital Technologies students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnics.

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Announcing the initiative at the Singapore Computer Society’s TechConnect 2026 event on October 19, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How highlights the need to establish stronger pathways between education and employment.

The 10- to 12-month internships will be incorporated into students’ curricula and jointly designed by educational institutions and employers. IMDA will provide funding support to encourage companies to participate.

The placements will enable students to contribute to substantial projects, learn from experienced professionals and develop practical skills and professional judgement. The programme addresses concerns about how graduates can gain experience as AI increasingly performs tasks traditionally assigned to junior technology professionals, including basic programming, debugging, application testing and system maintenance.

Alongside internships, eligible students can receive up to 90% funding support for approved industry-recognised courses and certifications in AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity, subject to applicable funding limits.

Applications for a new Government Tech Domain Pathway are scheduled to open in November 2026. Developed to prepare students for technology careers in the public sector and companies serving government agencies, the pathway combines technical capabilities with knowledge of government operations and public-service requirements.

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IMDA is also working with partners to develop a HealthTech pathway for 2027, extending opportunities for students to apply technology skills in the healthcare sector. The initiative also calls on employers to recognise practical capabilities alongside formal qualifications. More than 200 employers have pledged support for skills-based hiring under TIP Alliance+.

The programme seeks to strengthen collaboration among educational institutions, employers, industry associations and the government. By combining extended internships, industry-focused training and skills-based recruitment, Singapore aims to prepare emerging technology professionals for changing workforce demands and support sustainable talent development in its digital economy.