In Parliament: Government introduces new driver transition package to support Singapore's autonomous vehicle future

The Government will introduce a new manpower transition package to ensure point-to-point drivers have access to good working opportunities in the future of transportation, even as Singapore progressively adopts more autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies to enhance its connectivity and transport options. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling announced the package on 7 July 2026, at the Future of Transport Motion in Parliament. In her speech, Ms Sun shared that the Government recognises the challenges of career transitions, especially the opportunity costs of stepping away from driving to attend training. She added that the Government is taking a proactive approach to helping workers adapt, transition to new roles and acquire new skills in the age of autonomy and AI. “The manpower transition package is one of more upcoming moves we are putting in place for our point-to-point drivers. We will continue to work closely with the unions and support our workforce as jobs evolve,” said Ms Sun. NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Yeo Wan Ling, who supported the motion, said Singapore “must bring our workers along” as it strengthens its position as a global transport hub. “We must listen to our workers' concerns, so that we know how to address them ... By listening to our workers' concerns, we can better understand how to co-create their future,” she said. Ms Yeo called for stronger collaboration between the Government, employers, unions and workers, as well as clear career transition pathways that will lead to more meaningful outcomes. These priorities are reflected in the new manpower transition package. Practical support for drivers To support drivers who wish to explore new career opportunities, the transition support package will introduce a range of measures to make career transitions easier. Career Conversion Programmes From the third quarter of 2026, the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) will launch a new Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for AV Specialists. The programme aims to equip drivers with skills for roles such as safety operators, remote operators and fleet managers. A new pathway under the CCP for Public Transport Professionals will also provide a structured route for drivers to become bus captains. Both programmes will be administered by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) , with Grab serving as a training provider for the AV programme. Drivers looking beyond the transport sector can also tap existing CCPs , the Mid-Career Pathways Programme, the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme and the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme to reskill for new opportunities. Training Incentive Scheme From January 2027, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will pilot a three-year training incentive scheme to encourage drivers to take short-form courses before committing to longer-term training. Eligible drivers can receive a training allowance of $20 per hour, capped at 80 hours, for up to $1,600 to help offset vehicle rental costs and income lost while attending training. Enhanced outreach and career guidance The Government and NTUC will also strengthen outreach and career guidance through career fairs, roadshows and a dedicated online resource page. This will help drivers better understand the training and career support available to them. Early help for workers The Future of Transport motion was moved by Member of Parliament Tin Pei Ling, who sought to reinforce Singapore's position as a global transport hub. NTUC’s e2i Stakeholder Management Director Wan Rizal and NTUC Central Committee Member Sanjeev Tiwari also supported the motion, with both urging for early support for workers as the transport sector transforms. Mr Wan called for Singapore’s transport transformation to place workers at the centre of growth, as aviation, maritime, logistics and rail adopt new technologies. He said automation and frontier technologies may redesign or displace some jobs, but they could also create higher-value roles if workers are supported early. “Let us match our young graduates' interests and aptitudes early while they are still in school, to career ramps available in aviation, logistics and maritime. And let us ensure that the work conditions and prospects – particularly at the entry level – can genuinely attract and retain our younger workers,” said Mr Rizal. He also urged the Government to build clearer “school-to-sector” pathways for young graduates into transport careers, through internships, apprenticeships, structured traineeships and career guidance. For existing rank-and-file workers and technicians, Mr Rizal said at-risk roles should be identified early and mapped to adjacent opportunities, with jobs redesigned alongside workers. Meanwhile, Mr Tiwari stressed Singapore's ambition to remain a leading global transport hub must be matched by continued investment in its workers. He said technology and automation should create better jobs, not leave workers behind, highlighting how digitalisation in the maritime, aviation and logistics sectors is reshaping existing roles and creating new opportunities. As industries transform, workers must be equipped with new skills early, with unions playing an active role in job redesign before disruption occurs, said Mr Tiwari. “Transformation should never begin after jobs disappear; it must begin while our workers are still employed,” he added. Mr Tiwari also called for inclusive career pathways for senior workers, mid-career professionals, lower-wage workers and persons with disabilities, adding that companies should work closely with unions to identify affected workers early and provide adequate training and support to help them transition confidently into new roles.