Have a teen who wants to work part-time? Or are you the parent who wants them to? Whatever the reason, keep up with the rules and regulations of part-time jobs for students in Singapore.
It was decades ago, but I still remember the sense of achievement when I received my very first paycheck as a 15-year-old teenager. At a time when I was starting to explore what it meant to be independent, while developing a sense of self and identity, having a part-time job opened my eyes to a whole new world. More than time and money management, I learnt how to work with people across all age groups, think on my feet, and solve problems in ways that went beyond the school curriculum. From luxury fashion to household products and even private tuition, I discovered so much about myself and others. With that knowledge, I even started a business to offer solutions to brands in the supermarket. So, if you ask me, part-time jobs for students are a great way for teens to learn.
Benefits of part-time work for students in Singapore
The future of jobs will be very different from what we know now. The World Economic Forum estimates that, by 2030, the equivalent of 8% of today’s jobs will be displaced, while the equivalent of 14% will be newly created. In this VUCA world, human-centred skills like creative thinking, flexibility, empathy, and leadership are transferable skills that will help teens adapt to the evolving work environment. And working part-time may benefit teens, helping them develop and grow these skills.
1. Working part-time gives students a broader perspective
Being out there in a different environment from school and home lets your teen see the world in a different light. They can’t know what they don’t know, and that goes for empathy and appreciation too. In this personal recount by professionals at Psychology Today, they share how their experiences working part-time in the fast food industry helped them develop empathy through interactions with people from all walks of life.
Teens won’t fully appreciate the effort behind a McDonald’s meal until they have stepped behind the counter and experienced the operations for themselves. Because all they see, as consumers, is fast food. Part-time jobs also help your teen discover their strengths and weaknesses and give them insight into future career options – like how I found out that I’m not cut out to be a tuition teacher!
2. Part-time work helps students build life skills
Part-time jobs for students help them build essential life skills that go beyond the classroom. They’ll need to learn how to organise and manage their time, and take responsibility and accountability. Most importantly, part-time jobs for students are great for helping teenagers learn and practise independence – because you are not going to be there to solve everything for them! If you still need some convincing, the professionals at Indeed agree that part-time jobs can help teens develop skills like punctuality and responsibility, and prepare them for working full-time in the future.
3. Part-time work boosts students’ self-confidence
Handling real-world responsibilities can build self-confidence and self-efficacy (the “I can” attitude), especially when teens can see the results of their efforts – for example, helping a customer solve an issue. Part-time jobs for students give them a sense of achievement, and some teens might even feel a sense of purpose. These experiences can be meaningful during the teenage years, when our kids are shaping their identities through interactions with the world.
Preparing your teen for part-time work in Singapore
Whether it is out of necessity, for experience, or to get them out of your hair and away from their computers, make sure to have a chat with your teen before they start a part-time job. Here are some things you might talk about.
- Share your personal experiences at work, whether part-time or full-time. They need to know that some struggles, like feeling awkward on the first day of work, are universal. Sharing what you did gives them an idea of what they can do.
- Understand their motivations. Ask why they want to take up a part-time job (if they’re the ones asking) and what they hope to take away from the experience. They may just say it’s money; help them see what else they might pick up from part-time work.
- Discuss how studies and part-time work will be managed. Set expectations for school, work, activities, and rest.
- Talk money! What are they going to do with the money? Take the chance to ask them how money makes them feel, and you might even talk about financial planning.
- It’s their first time navigating the working world without you. Talk about safety at the workplace, their rights and boundaries, and what they can do if those boundaries are overstepped.
Part-time work for students in Singapore: Laws you need to know
1. Official requirements for students working part-time in Singapore
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) states that children aged 13 to under 15 can work in a non-industrial setting, but only on light duties. They cannot work in an industrial setting unless they are working with family members.
Young persons aged 15 to under 16 can work in non-industrial settings. They can also work in industrial settings, such as manufacturing, but their employer must notify MOM and submit a medical report within 30 days of their starting work.
Some types of work are unsuitable for anyone under 16. These include work where conditions may cause injury, servicing or attending to moving machinery, being near live electrical apparatus that is not effectively insulated, and underground work.
If children and young persons are employed as workmen doing manual labour, these additional rules apply:
- They cannot work between 11pm and 6am the next day.
- They cannot work on their rest days without permission from the Commissioner for Labour.
- Children aged 13 to under 15 cannot work for more than three hours without a 30-minute break, or more than six hours a day, including time spent at school.
- Young persons aged 15 to under 16 cannot work for more than four hours without a 30-minute break, or more than seven hours a day, including time spent at school.
2. Can my teenager work in Singapore as a non-citizen or PR?
Yes, it may be possible for your teen to work in Singapore, but holding a Student’s Pass does not automatically mean they can take a job. MOM has specific work pass exemption rules for foreign students, including different lists of eligible institutions for school vacations and the school term.
Students working part-time during school vacations
If your teenager holds a Student’s Pass issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), they can work during their school vacations without a work pass if they meet all of the following requirements:
- They are aged 14 or above.
- They are a full-time matriculated or registered student at an institution on MOM’s list for working during vacations.
They do not need to notify MOM before starting work. The list includes a number of international schools and local educational institutions, but do check your teen’s exact school on MOM’s page before they accept a job.
Students from an eligible institution who are waiting for their final examination results or convocation may also work without a work pass if the waiting period falls within their vacation. Once they have completed their studies and their Student’s Pass expires, they will need a work pass to continue working in Singapore.
Students working part-time during school term
If your teenager holds an ICA-issued Student’s Pass and is a full-time matriculated or registered student at an institution on MOM’s school-term list, they can work during school term without a work pass if:
- They work for a maximum of 16 hours a week; or
- The work is part of an industrial attachment or internship programme conducted by their institution that contributes towards graduation requirements.
They do not need to notify MOM before starting work. Do check the school-term list rather than assuming that a school on the vacation list also qualifies. MOM also states that exchange students in Singapore are not allowed to work under this exemption.
3. When in doubt…
When your teenager is looking for a job in Singapore, make sure they are upfront about their citizenship or pass status. Check MOM’s age and work restrictions and, if your teen holds a Student’s Pass, the current list of eligible institutions before they start. Their employer should check their eligibility too. If you still have doubts, contact MOM directly.
4. Popular employment options for students in Singapore
Ready to help your teen start looking? These companies have careers pages where they can check for suitable openings and age requirements:
Alternatively, Jobstreet, FastJobs, Indeed, or Werk are places to get your teen searching for a job in Singapore. Pet lovers can look for dog-walking gigs on Pawshake, and those with a specific skill set to offer can consider listing their services on Carousell. If your teen is academically inclined and loves teaching, private tutoring opportunities through Nanyang Learning or Superprof may work out well for them. Check each platform’s and employer’s age requirements before applying.
Hot tip: Filter your search with keywords like ‘part-time’, ‘student’, or ‘age 16’ to bring up relevant jobs for your teen.
