EDB Associate Programme

EDB; Singapore; On-site; SGD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

Rotations across functions

Foreign language training

Job summary

EDB offers a 10-month Associate Programme for fresh graduates and early-career professionals across all disciplines. You will rotate across divisions, receive mentorship from senior leaders, and gain first-hand exposure to Singapore's economic development.

The programme blends structured training with hands-on experiences, helping you build a strong foundation and develop the skills needed to drive growth for Singapore.

Qualifications

• Fresh graduate or early-career professional with less than two years of work experience.
• All disciplines welcome, including STEM, humanities, and social sciences.
• Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Responsibilities

• Participate in rotations across divisions to gain broad exposure.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders to understand investments, industries, and policy impact.
• Receive mentorship from senior leaders and develop professional networks.
• Contribute to Singapore's economic development through project work and collaboration.

Job description

EDB's 10-month Associate Programme (AP) is designed for fresh graduates and early-career professionals from all disciplines who are eager to contribute to Singapore's economic development.

Through structured training, mentorship, and rotations across different business functions, you will gain first-hand exposure to EDB's work and develop the skills and confidence to drive Singapore’s economic growth.

Learning at EDB is rooted in application and lived experience. Through the bootcamp and rotations across different business functions, AP blends structured training with hands‑on opportunities to help you build a strong foundation in EDB's work and a deeper understanding of Singapore's economic priorities.

Gain broad exposure and global perspective

As you rotate across divisions and engage a diverse range of stakeholders, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how investments are secured, industries grow, and opportunities are created for Singapore. This breadth of exposure, spanning the intersection of business, industry, and policy, will deepen your appreciation of EDB's work and its impact on the economy.

Working with companies and stakeholders from around the world, you will also develop the cultural awareness and communication skills needed to engage effectively across different markets. Dedicated foreign language training and exposure to international business environments will further equip you to connect with global partners.

Thrive together

Growth at EDB is never a solo endeavour. Experienced mentors guide your journey, senior leaders invest in your development, and colleagues who share your passion for Singapore's economic future push you to be your best.

In your fellow Associates, you will find more than just collaborators — you will find friendships that last well beyond the programme.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for individuals who are purpose-driven and eager to make an impact for Singapore and Singaporeans.

As an EDB Associate, you should:

• Be curious, adaptable, and eager to learn
• Think critically and approach challenges with sound judgement
• Take initiative, demonstrate ownership, and drive outcomes
• Collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders

You should fulfill the following criteria:

• Fresh graduate or early careerist with less than two years of working experience at the start of the respective intakes
• All disciplines, including STEM, humanities, and social sciences are welcome
• Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident

The 2027 Associate Programme runs on two intakes (10-month each) — the March intake from 1 March 2027 to 31 December 2027, and the August Intake from 16 August 2027 to 15 June 2028.

Senior Associate, Global Ventures
Associate (2025)

I came from a materials science background with limited prior exposure to business concepts. The AP's structured rotations changed that, developing in me a systematic way of approaching complex issues. Each stint stretched me across unfamiliar domains, from applying my technical expertise, building stakeholder skills, to learning EDB's processes.

Senior Manager, Technology Hardware & Equipment
Associate (2021)

It was naturally quite nerve‑wracking to join EDB as a fresh graduate, given the stellar reputation that it had built up over the years for delivering good jobs to Singaporeans. The Associate Programme was therefore very useful to initiate me into the culture and intricacies of working in such a driven and fast‑paced organisation, and I had a great time learning not just on‑the job during my division attachments but also from my peers during the bootcamp. Even after completing the Associate Programme, it was heartening to know that no matter the challenges faced, you could always rely on your batchmates in other divisions who were ready to share their diverse experiences and lend a helping hand. Such friendships and camaraderie are what keep me going in EDB today.

Denise Lim

Senior Manager, Professional Services
Associate (2019)

The Associate Programme was a valuable transitionary period from school to a professional setting. The various assignments and rotations allowed me to build confidence and gain new skills in a fast‑paced yet nurturing environment. With the opportunities to work on multi‑agency and cross‑divisional strategy work pieces, the exposure to different parts of EDB during the programme has helped me in understanding needs of various stakeholders and sharpened my decision‑making skills. Given the collaborative nature of work at EDB, the programme also created opportunities to build relationships across divisions, and it is always reassuring to have batchmates who continue to look out for one another both at and outside of work!

Andy Lua

Regional Director, Europe (Nordics)
Associate (2019)
EDB Scholar (2018)

During the Associate Programme, the rotations across various business functions gave Associates a good sense of the broad scope of work in economic development. It’s also a good litmus test for understanding what your interests and inclinations are, the skillsets and experiences you would like to acquire, and make an informed decision of how and where within EDB you would like to launch your career.

Even though I was fresh out of university, I was given the chance in the programme to co‑engage global c‑suite leaders. I also learnt a lot from seeing my teammates ‘in action’, and benefited from nurturing colleagues who would invest significant amounts of time to share their own experiences and learnings. You can tell that they’re genuinely vested in you and your personal development and are taking steps to set you up for success both in and outside work.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the application process?

The application process typically takes 8 weeks or longer, from submission to final outcome. We recommend completing all to‑dos at every stage promptly when you receive them and being flexible with interview scheduling to help expedite your application. We will keep you informed of your progress throughout the process and provide estimated timelines at each stage.

How are my rotational stints determined?

All Associates will rotate through 3 stints across different domains of EDB’s work. Stint placements are determined taking into account your interest and our overall organisational needs, with each stint lasting 12 to 13 weeks.

How will my performance be assessed during the programme?

Your performance will be evaluated through a structured appraisal system designed to provide regular feedback and support your development throughout the programme. Your performance will be appraised during each stint, and an aggregate performance appraisal will be conducted towards the end of the programme.

I have completed my Pulsifi application but I have not heard back from the team.

Thank you for your interest and for completing your Pulsifi application. As we receive a high volume of applications, our team will be reviewing profiles over the course of the application period. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Please note that we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted to proceed to the interview stage. If you do not hear from us, your application will remain in consideration for this cycle.

Are there disciplines of study that are preferred over others?

We encourage applications from diverse disciplines of study including STEM, humanities, social sciences, and beyond. You do not need a degree in Economics or Business to apply! Regardless of discipline of study, you should have a curiosity for global business and the broader macro‑economic environment that Singapore operates in.

If I do not possess relevant internship or work experience, what should I do to increase my chances?

Rather than specific work experience, we look for individuals who are purpose‑driven and eager to make an impact for Singapore and Singaporeans. We value those who bring strong analytical and critical thinking skills, paired with adaptability, curiosity, initiative, and resourcefulness.

When crafting your application, we recommend structuring your resume so that these qualities are easy to identify. Draw on concrete examples from your academic projects, co‑curricular activities, or other experiences that demonstrate these qualities.

Do Associates who have completed the programme embark on a different career pathway and progression than other full‑time hires?

Your career pathway and progression in EDB is dependent on your performance and aspirations. There is no difference in how we evaluate the performance of Associates who have completed the programme, and other full‑time hires. We believe in fair treatment for all officers based on merit.

After completing the programme, which division would I be placed in as a full‑time Senior Associate?

Associates who successfully complete the programme and meet our performance standards will be offered to join EDB as full‑time Senior Associates. There will be an exercise to determine your placement with a division as a full‑time Senior Associate, which will take into consideration our overall business needs and your preference.

I understand that there is a mentorship component in the programme. Can you share more?

We believe in the value of mentorship in supporting the growth and development of our Associates. Each Associate will be assigned an Associate Reporting Officer (ARO) who will guide and support you throughout the duration of the programme, including providing career guidance. In addition, for each stint, you will also have a Division Reporting Officer (DRO) who will oversee your day‑to‑day responsibilities, provide closer guidance within the division, and conduct your performance appraisal for that stint.

Do note that while mentorship is an important part of the programme, Associates are expected to take ownership of their own development. We look for individuals who are proactive and independent, and who actively seek out learning opportunities rather than waiting to be guided at every step.

I saw that having a foreign language ability is an added advantage, will this affect my application?

Foreign language ability is an added advantage but not a requirement for the programme. If you are selected as an Associate, we offer a mandatory in‑house Foreign Language Training in Japanese, French and Bahasa Indonesia to support your development.

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