Wage Gap Between University Graduates And Non-Graduates Getting Wider?

By Eric Tan

All these news and online debate going on about university graduates getting larger starting paychecks, makes me wonder: if with the supposedly better remuneration, many are still feeling the heat when it comes to covering the cost of living, what about those folks who did not even graduate from universities?


Most of the unhappiness stemming from the higher starting pay news is that this is still quite not enough for the young graduates, as they are unable to accumulate savings efficiently and apply for a BTO in a reasonable period of time, some even claiming that they have issues tackling daily expenses. And these are in reference to monthly salaries of about $3,500 or above. Now turn the attention to those without university degrees, say ITE and polytechnic graduates. Their starting salaries definitely won't be anywhere near the 3-4K bracket! So my point again is this, if university graduates are already complaining $3,500 a month is barely sufficient, wouldn't non-graduates be enduring even harsher lifestyles?


Another matter to ponder: is the chasm between graduates and non-graduates also starting to become increasingly wider? It seems to the average man on the street that if you are a non-university graduate, then living in Singapore will never be comfortable for you. You can never get a high enough starting pay, so you already begin your adult working life in a tremendously disadvantaged position. Are we giving an adequate moment of pause to consider the financial plight of the less well educated?


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