Singapore recognises 300 employers driving job opportunities and workforce investment

Singapore has unveiled a new way to measure how well employers create real career opportunities for their workforce, with 300 organisations named in the inaugural Singapore Opportunity Index (SOI).

The Index, released on January 21 by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers’ Federation (SNEF), the index identifies the top 20% of nearly 1,500 large organisations operating in Singapore. Together, these companies employ close to one million Singapore citizens and permanent residents. 

At its core, the SOI shifts the conversation on jobs beyond hiring numbers to career mobility, development and long-term employability. Developed by MOM in partnership with the Singapore University of Social Sciences and the Burning Glass Institute, the index uses verified government employment outcomes data to assess how organisations help workers enter, grow and stay resilient in the labour market.

Rather than ranking companies by size or sector, the SOI highlights how employer practices shape job quality and career outcomes. 

The index recognises three distinct models of excellence. Career Launchers create pathways for those starting or restarting their careers. Career Builders focus on internal mobility, skills development and progression. Career Anchors provide stability and sustained employment, especially valuable in times of economic uncertainty.

For employers, the SOI is positioned as a practical tool rather than a scorecard. Organisations covered by the index will receive detailed reports and benchmarks, helping them understand how their workforce practices compare with industry peers. Funding and support are also available through initiatives such as the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package and NTUC’s Company Training Committee Grant, aimed at strengthening workforce capabilities amid tight labour conditions.

For workers and jobseekers, the index offers greater transparency into how different employers support career growth. Information on the top 300 organisations is publicly accessible, allowing individuals to make more informed choices aligned with their career goals, whether that means stability, progression or reskilling.

The launch of the SOI comes at a time when Singapore’s labour market faces manpower constraints, skills disruption and shifting career expectations. By focusing on opportunity creation rather than just employment, policymakers hope the index will strengthen workforce resilience, improve job quality, and support sustainable business growth in the years ahead.