MDDI's response to PQ on Percentage of Mid-Career Professionals Under TESA Programme Accepting Lower Starting Salary Compared to Their Non-Tech Role

Parliament Sitting on 25 September 2025

Question for written answer

28 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) for mid-career professionals placed under the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme, what percentage accepted a lower starting salary compared to their previous non-tech role; (b) what was the median job level of their new role; and (c) what is the one-year retention rate for these individuals within the tech industry.

Answer

The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative has been a key initiative in driving the growth of tech talent in Singapore and helping non-tech workers pivot into tech roles. Since 2016, TeSA has placed more than 21,000 locals into tech jobs, including mid-career professionals, through initiatives such as the 28 Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Tech Immersion and Placement Programme (TIPP) and Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme.

Under TeSA, mid-career professionals pick up relevant tech skills, including cloud computing, software development and AI, and get emplaced into entry-level tech roles, such as AI application developers, cybersecurity associates, and software engineers. Over 90% of TeSA participants stay in the same role for 24 months after completing the programme. We do not typically track participants’ last drawn salary.