Damanpower Asia Pte Ltd

01/09/2026

Fintech Is Hiring: What Airwallex, Revolut and YouTrip Tell Us About Singapore’s AI Economy

There has been growing concern that artificial intelligence will reduce the number of jobs available to people. But developments in Singapore’s fintech sector are telling a somewhat different story.

According to The Business Times, fintech companies such as Airwallex, Revolut and YouTrip are expanding their Singapore teams, even as they rapidly adopt AI.

The reason is simple: AI is not necessarily replacing workers. In many cases, it is increasing the capacity of businesses and creating demand for people with higher-value skills.
🚀 Airwallex: the biggest hiring expansion

Airwallex plans to increase its Singapore workforce by more than 70% year-on-year, reaching nearly 800 employees by the end of 2026.

Singapore is also an important location for the development of Airwallex’s AI products.

Among the three companies, Airwallex has the broadest range of hiring requirements, reflecting the many different functions needed to support a rapidly growing fintech business.

📈 Revolut: almost doubling its workforce

Revolut Singapore almost doubled its workforce between 2024 and 2025, increasing by 95% to 168 employees.

The company plans to grow beyond 300 employees within three years as it expands its Asian operations.
Its recruitment needs extend across a wide range of functions, showing that fintech growth is not limited to software engineers or technology specialists.

💳 YouTrip: continuing to add talent

YouTrip currently has around 150 employees in Singapore and plans to increase its headcount by at least 10% by the end of 2026.

Its hiring needs include product, engineering, finance and other business functions.

🇸🇬 What does this mean for Singapore?

These developments are particularly interesting when viewed alongside the recent S$220 million commitment by MAS to accelerate technology and innovation in Singapore’s financial sector.

The detailed Business Times article provides more information on the specific job functions that Airwallex, Revolut and YouTrip are looking to hire, and offers a useful glimpse into where Singapore’s fintech employment opportunities are heading.

These companies are looking to fill roles in product, engineering and design, among others Read more at The Business Times.

29/08/2026

Singapore’s Early Childhood Industry: A $2B+ Opportunity Facing a Major Manpower Challenge

Singapore plans to recruit 1,800 additional infant-care educators by 2030 as demand for infant-care places is expected to rise, partly because the Government is making childcare and infant care significantly more affordable

Singapore’s early childhood and preschool sector is becoming one of the country’s most important social and economic ecosystems.

The Government is investing heavily to make preschool more affordable and accessible — but there is one major challenge that could limit the sector’s growth:

Manpower.

And the pressure is particularly acute in infant care.

The numbers tell an interesting story

Here are some of the key statistics shaping Singapore’s early childhood industry:

25,000+ early childhood educators as of early 2025
The workforce has grown from around 12,000 in 2013 to 24,000 in 2023 — effectively doubling in 10 years

Around 222,000 full-day preschool places were available in 2024
Preschool capacity has increased from roughly 90,000 places in 2012 to 222,000 in 2024

Government spending on early childhood was around $1.8 billion annually in 2021, with spending expected to roughly double over the following years

The Government has been working towards having around 80% of preschoolers served by government-supported preschools
Singapore plans to recruit 1,800 additional infant-care educators by 2030

These numbers point to a sector that has expanded dramatically over the past decade.

But there is a deeper story behind them.

Infant care could become the biggest manpower pressure point

Infant care serves children from 2 months to 18 months and is significantly more manpower-intensive than many other preschool services.

As the Government makes infant care more affordable and expands access, demand for places is likely to increase.

But opening more places requires more qualified educators.

Interestingly, there are already more than 2,000 preschool educators with qualifications covering both infant care and other preschool roles.

Yet, as of August 2026, only around 4% were working specifically as infant educators.

That creates an unusual situation:

The talent exists — but much of it isn't being deployed into infant care.

This raises important questions around pay, workload, career progression, training, working conditions and retention.

Government investment is changing the industry

Early childhood education in Singapore is no longer simply a private preschool business.

It is increasingly becoming a public-private ecosystem.

The Government is supporting:

Anchor Operators
Partner Operators
Private preschool operators
MOE Kindergartens
Infant-care providers
Early-intervention services
Educator training
Workforce development
Early-childhood technology and services

And this support is likely to continue as Singapore tries to make preschool more affordable for families.

Bottom line

The Government is simultaneously increasing affordability and capacity in infant care. The challenge is that cheaper, more accessible infant care will likely create more demand for places, so Singapore needs substantially more trained infant-care staff to prevent manpower shortages from becoming a bottleneck.

The Early Childhood Development Agency says the preschool sector wi...

26/08/2026

From Shop Floor to Livestream: How Social Commerce Is Creating New Retail Jobs

Retail is changing—and the salesperson of the future may not always be standing behind a counter.

A recent CNA report highlights how more Singapore retailers are sending their staff for live-selling and social-commerce training as consumers increasingly discover and buy products through social media and livestreams.

This is more than a change in how products are sold. It could also create new career opportunities and new types of retail jobs.

Traditionally, a retail employee's role was straightforward: welcome customers, explain products, answer questions and complete the sale.

In other words, the modern retail worker may increasingly become a combination of salesperson, presenter, content creator, community facilitator and digital marketer.

Why are retailers going in this direction? Because social commerce is becoming a serious sales channel.

The market is getting bigger

According to a DBS study cited by CNA, social-commerce sales in Singapore are projected to reach nearly S$8.5 billion by 2030. Live commerce is expected to account for more than one-third of that amount.

That is a substantial market.

And when an industry grows, businesses need people who know how to operate it.

We are already seeing evidence of this in Singapore's job market. Current online job listings include roles such as Social Commerce Executive, E-Commerce Specialist, Digital Marketing & E-commerce Manager, Social Media Specialist and E-commerce Livestream positions.

One LinkedIn search currently shows more than 1,000 listings under social-commerce marketing internships; Job portals list shows around 99 social-commerce internship listings, 3,400 social commerce roles, and specifically for live commerce, at least 1,500 job opportunities.

The important point is that social-commerce employment is already extending beyond the traditional retail salesperson.

If consumers increasingly shop through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, livestream platforms and other digital channels, retailers need employees who know how to sell in those environments.

This is why training becomes another important layer too.

Rather than simply hiring people with digital skills from outside, retailers can also potentially reskill their existing employees and give experienced salespeople a new set of capabilities.

As the industry grows, businesses may need people in a much wider range of roles, including Live Commerce Hosts, Social Commerce Specialists, Content Creators, Live Commerce Producers, Digital Sales Executives, Community Managers, E-commerce and Social Media Managers and Data and Performance Specialists.

So the opportunity is much bigger than simply “learning how to go live. It is about building an entire ecosystem around social selling.

Existing retail jobs are also being redesigned as we speak

Singapore's Jobs-Skills Integrator for Retail has been supporting companies with job redesign, upskilling and reskilling.

According to the CNA report, around 4,500 employees from more than 1,000 retail companies have gone through the process.

The retail assistant of tomorrow may still be a retail assistant—but with additional responsibilities in social commerce, digital engagement and online sales

Retailers are sending their staff for training on how to do busines...

18/08/2026

Singapore's Robot Revolution Is Already Here — Humanoids Could Be Next

The Straits Times report highlights how humanoid robots are moving beyond demonstrations and into real commercial service. A humanoid robot at a newly opened café in Beijing, China reportedly made and served 202 cups of coffee in one hour, earning a Guinness World Record for the fastest robot barista. It handled the process from preparing the coffee to serving customers, with each drink taking less than 30 seconds.

The significance goes beyond coffee: the robot demonstrates how AI, robotics and automation could increasingly take over repetitive, high-volume service work, particularly where speed, consistency and long operating hours matter. Similar automated coffee systems already show the potential for very high throughput; for example, Singapore-developed robot barista Ella is designed to produce around 200 cups per hour.

What this means for jobs

The important question is not simply “Will robots replace baristas?” but “Which parts of the job will be automated?”

This is the broader pattern we are seeing across industries: AI and robots are most powerful at repetitive, predictable tasks, while humans retain an advantage in tasks requiring empathy, judgement and complex interpersonal interaction.

For Singapore, this is particularly relevant to Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Logistics, Cleaning, Retail and Eldercare. As labour becomes more expensive and the population ages, businesses will have stronger incentives to automate routine physical work. At the same time, this could increase demand for workers who can operate, supervise, maintain and work alongside robots, rather than simply perform the repetitive task themselves.

“High robotics adoption, but still early humanoid adoption.” That is the distinction.

Singapore is a robotics leader in industrial automation, but humanoid/service-robot adoption is still relatively early. There is no reliable ASEAN-wide percentage for “humanoid robots in operation,” so the best comparison uses industrial robot density plus available evidence on service-robot deployment.

Singapore has deliberately positioned itself as a robotics and “embodied AI” hub, with a national robotics programme. ISEAS describes Singapore as the second-ranked country globally for robot density relative to its workforce and notes that ASEAN robotics capabilities are expanding into manufacturing, logistics and services.

Singapore businesses are also relatively receptive to advanced automation. One recent study found that 21% of Singapore respondents reported adopting industrial robots, while 19% reported AI/ML adoption.

Globally, service robotics is accelerating: IFR reported more than 199,000 professional service robots sold in 2024, up 9%, while medical robot sales increased by 91%.

But humanoids are a different story

The Beijing robot barista you mentioned is not representative of current adoption.

Humanoid robots are still at the pilot/early commercial stage almost everywhere, including Singapore. The technology is moving very quickly, but companies are generally adopting specialised robots first because they are cheaper, easier to control and designed for one specific task.

For example:

Today:

Robot delivers food → robot cleans floor → robot transports goods → robot makes coffee.

Next stage:

One general-purpose humanoid could potentially perform several of these tasks.

That second stage is where the really significant labour-market disruption could occur

Singapore is not necessarily going to have the most humanoid robots in ASEAN immediately. But it is probably one of the best environments in ASEAN for companies to test, deploy and scale them.

Singapore: highest readiness → Robotics already mainstream in manufacturing; service robots increasingly visible; humanoids likely to be tested early.

In the case of the barista, humanoid robots could revolutionise the barista business by automating coffee preparation, increasing consistency and peak-hour capacity, extending operating hours, reducing reliance on labour and enabling smaller, potentially lower-cost coffee outlets in places such as MRT stations, hospitals, offices and universities.

That is potentially a much bigger employment story than robot baristas.

A humanoid robot in Beijing, China, is now the world’s fastest robo...

13/08/2026

🚀 Lam Research to Add 200 Jobs in Singapore — What Qualifications Will They Need?

US semiconductor equipment company Lam Research is expanding its Singapore operations and plans to add around 200 jobs, driven by the rapid growth of AI and demand for advanced semiconductor technologies.

The expansion is particularly significant because Singapore is already a major global semiconductor hub, producing around one in 10 of the world's chips and one-fifth of global semiconductor equipment.

💼 What kind of jobs?

Around 90% of the new positions are expected to be specialised engineering and technical roles, with many opportunities targeted at local talent.

These technologies are becoming increasingly important as AI chips require greater computing power, faster data transfer and improved energy efficiency.

🎓 What qualifications are needed?

For engineering and technical positions, relevant degrees can include:

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science / Materials Engineering
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Physics
• Chemistry

• Other related engineering or science disciplines

Importantly, not every role requires a Master's or PhD.

Some entry-level positions accept a Bachelor's degree, while more specialised R&D roles may require a Master's, PhD or relevant industry experience.

For example, Lam Research's current Singapore Field Process Engineer opportunities indicate that a relevant Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree combined with relevant experience can be considered, including graduate-level candidates.

🧠 What skills would give candidates an advantage?

A degree alone may not be enough. Candidates with knowledge or experience in the following areas could be particularly competitive:

⭐ Semiconductor manufacturing and wafer processing
⭐ Semiconductor equipment
⭐ Materials science and thin films
⭐ Plasma / etching processes
⭐ Statistical Process Control (SPC)
⭐ Design of Experiments (DOE)
⭐ Data analysis and statistics
⭐ Python or MATLAB
⭐ Equipment troubleshooting
⭐ Cleanroom / fab experience
⭐ Engineering problem-solving
⭐ Communication and customer-facing skills

🇸🇬 Why this matters for Singapore

The expansion highlights how the AI boom is creating opportunities beyond software and AI companies.

AI ultimately depends on a highly sophisticated semiconductor ecosystem—from chip design and manufacturing to advanced packaging and the equipment used to produce those chips.

For Singapore graduates and engineers, this could mean more opportunities to work on some of the most advanced semiconductor technologies in the world.

The biggest question isn't just "Do I have a semiconductor degree?" — it's increasingly "Do I have the technical skills needed to work on the next generation of AI chips?" 🤖🔬💻

Lam Research to create 200 specialised engineering jobs in Singapore, boosting local semiconductor talent amid rising global AI chip demand. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

10/08/2026

An incredible journey. Majulah Singapura

09/08/2026

🇰🇷 Study in South Korea - But what happens after graduation?

South Korea has set an ambitious goal: attract 300,000 international students as part of its Study Korea 300K Project.

But the bigger question is not simply how many foreign students Korea can attract.

It is:

How many will choose to study, work and eventually build their careers in Korea?

And this is where South Korea could become increasingly interesting to students in Singapore.

🇸🇬 Why would students from Singapore choose Korea?

Singapore already offers excellent universities and attracts many international education providers. Students can study locally at institutions such as NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, SIT and SUSS, while also accessing overseas university programmes.

Therefore, Korea cannot compete simply by saying:

"Come to Korea because it is another place to study."

Korea needs to offer something different.

And it does.

1️⃣ A unique combination of education + Korean culture

For students who already have an interest in Korean culture, studying in Korea offers an experience that cannot be replicated by simply watching K-dramas or following K-pop from Singapore.

Students can experience:

🇰🇷 Korean language
🎓 Korean universities
💻 Korean technology
🏢 Korean companies
🎵 K-pop and entertainment
🍜 Korean lifestyle and culture
🌏 A genuinely international Asian environment

For some students, this combination could be a powerful reason to choose Korea over a conventional overseas destination.

2️⃣ Strong opportunities in technology and advanced industries
Korea is home to globally recognised companies and industrial ecosystems involving:

• Semiconductors
• Electronics
• Artificial intelligence
• Robotics
• Automotive technology
• Batteries
• Biotechnology
• Advanced manufacturing
• Telecommunications
• Consumer technology

This makes Korea particularly interesting for students studying engineering, computer science, AI, data science, electronics and other STEM disciplines.
A student isn't simply studying in Korea.

They are potentially studying inside one of Asia's major technology and manufacturing ecosystems.

3️⃣ Potentially more affordable than traditional Western destinations
Compared with some universities in the UK, US or Australia, Korean universities can provide a potentially more affordable international education option.

Scholarships can also make Korea considerably more attractive for academically strong international students.

For families comparing the cost of an overseas education, this could become an important factor.

4️⃣ Korean-language skills can become a career advantage
This is particularly interesting.

A student who graduates with:

An international degree + English + Korean-language ability + Asian industry experience

could have a different profile from someone who simply obtains an overseas degree.

Korean-language ability can be valuable for companies doing business with Korea or Korean companies operating internationally.

________________________________________
🇰🇷 The real opportunity for Singapore students

For Singapore-based students, this could potentially create opportunities not only in Korea, but also in Singapore and the wider Asian market.
The most attractive proposition may therefore not be:

"Study in Korea because Korea is cheaper."

It could be:

"Study in Korea to gain a Korean degree, Korean-language ability and exposure to one of Asia's most advanced technology and business ecosystems."

🎓 But what happens after graduation?

This is where students and parents need to look beyond the headline of "300,000 international students."

The strongest candidates are likely to be students who combine:
Relevant degree + Korean language + technical skills + internships/work experience

For example:
👨‍💻 AI / Software
🔬 Biotechnology
⚙️ Engineering
💻 Semiconductors
🤖 Robotics
🚗 Automotive technology
🔋 Battery technology
📊 Business & technology
🎮 Digital entertainment
🎨 Media & creative industries

These students potentially have an advantage because they are developing skills that align with industries Korea is actively seeking to strengthen.

For the right student, that combination could create opportunities in Korea, Singapore and the wider Asian market.

And for students from Singapore who are already exposed to an international environment, Korea offers something different:

A chance to study in another advanced Asian economy while building a specialised cultural, language and industry advantage.

🇸🇬➡️🇰🇷 From Singapore to Korea — and potentially back to Asia

The next few years could therefore see Korea becoming a more serious alternative destination for Singapore-based students, particularly those interested in STEM, technology, business, Korean language and creative industries.

South Korea wants 300,000 international students by 2027. And it wa...

01/08/2026

💻 Is Working From Home (WFH) Slowing Down Your Salary Growth?

When remote work became the norm during the pandemic, many employees embraced the flexibility that comes from WFH. No commute, better work-life balance and more time with family were just some of the benefits.

But as companies settle into a new normal, an important question is emerging:

Could WFH flexible work be limiting your career progression?

A recent Money Mind episode explored this issue through the story of a professional who achieved an impressive 50% salary increase—not by working harder, but by making smarter career decisions.

Which industries embrace WFH flexibility work?

It remains strongest in knowledge-based industries, including:
💡 Technology and AI
💡 Data Analytics
💡 Cybersecurity
💡 FinTech
💡 Digital Marketing
💡 Consulting
💡 Human Resources
💡 Corporate Strategy

Meanwhile, industries such as Healthcare, Manufacturing, Aviation, Logistics, Retail, Hospitality and Construction generally require employees to be physically, visibly present.

What do you think? Has WFH flexibility work helped your career, or do you believe being in the office gives employees an advantage when it comes to promotions and salary growth? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Does working from home hurt your career? One Singaporean left a ful...

25/07/2026

🎓 Singapore Has Jobs. Fresh Graduates Need Jobs. So Why Is There Still a Disconnect?

This interactive article argues that Singapore's graduate job market is becoming more polarized: while many graduates still find work, a growing minority face prolonged and frustrating job searches, particularly in sectors where hiring has slowed.

The situation in the job market now likely feel like friction: high salary expectations on one side, and critical sectors struggling to attract local talent on the other.

Data from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) highlights a growing double disconnect in our labour market:

1. The Pay Disconnect: Fresh graduates in IT, business, and STEM routinely benchmark their starting pay against top-tier outliers rather than market medians.

2. The Industry Stigma: Sectors like Built Environment, Engineering, and Logistics remain vital to our economy, yet young talent still views them through a traditional, low-tech lens—despite rapid digital transformation.

So, how do we bridge this perception gap? It’s not simply about telling graduates to lower their expectations, nor is it about asking employers to overpay. It requires a fundamental shift in how we structure, market, and reward work.

Here are three suggestions way forward:

1. Sell the Growth Trajectory, Not Just the Starting Point

If one industry’s starting base pay can’t match the high-end expectations of fresh grads, lead with total rewards and rapid progression. Show candidates a transparent, performance-based roadmap: “Here is where you start at Month 1, and here is the exact skill set that gets you to $X by Month 18.” Today’s graduates care deeply about long-term wage velocity and career development.

2. Reframe the Built Environment as a Tech Sector

If a role relies on Building Information Modelling (BIM), automation, or drone diagnostics, don't brand it like a traditional site job. Shift position titles and job scopes toward Virtual Design, Automation, and Systems Integration. The work has evolved; employer branding must evolve with it.

3. Anchor Expectations in Reality Early

Educational institutions and industry bodies should partner to share real-time market data early in the academic journey—not right before graduation. When students understand the distinction between entry-level medians and specialized skill premiums, they can make informed, realistic career choices.

The mismatch isn't permanent but solving it requires employers to communicate value better and job seekers to look beyond starting titles and initial pay checks.

👉 Do you agree with the above? If not, where is the biggest gap right now—salary expectations or sector interest?

Check out the findings, figures and statistics in the article below.

There are enough entry-level jobs, but these are not necessarily in the sectors that many aspire to join.

19/07/2026

Beyond the Layoffs: What GovTech's Transformation Means for the Future of Work

In the Channel NewsAsia (CNA) interview discussing the July 2026 GovTech restructuring, Dr. Tan Hong Ming (NUS Business School) and Felicia Romli (Robert Walters Singapore) broke down the significance of the layoffs and what they mean for the broader landscape of public sector employment in Singapore.

Key background

Singapore's GovTech announced that it will reduce up to 7–9% of its approximately 3,900 employees over the next two years. The first phase saw 93 employees retrenched as part of a transition from a project-delivery model to a continuous product-ownership model. GovTech stressed that this is not an AI-driven downsizing exercise or a cost-cutting measure, but a restructuring to build and manage more government digital products in-house.

The core takeaways from their discussion include:

1. The "iron rice bowl" is changing - Dr. Tan noted that public-sector employment has traditionally been viewed as highly secure. However, organizations—including government agencies—must now adapt.

2. A Strategic Shift: From Traditional Project Management to Tech Creators

The experts highlighted that this is not a cost-cutting measure or an AI-driven downsize. Instead, GovTech is changing its operational model.

Because GovTech is cutting down on outsourced vendor management, the "coordinator" and administrative tech roles are getting less, while the demand for hands-on technical talent (like software engineers and product designers) is actually growing, and demand is increasing for capabilities such as:

• Product management
• Software engineering
• Cloud engineering
• Cybersecurity
• Artificial intelligence and data engineering
• DevOps and platform operations

The Public Service Division also clarified that GovTech's exercise is not part of a wider public-service retrenchment programme but is specific to GovTech's operational transformation.

The Evolving Talent Market

Listen to what Felicia and Dr Tan he to say on this Evolving Talent Market. Their take on adapting to this necessary evolution to stay relevant.

The Singapore government's tech arm, GovTech, is planning to trim u...