A Modest Proposal for Saving Singapore’s Engineering Sector

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Ah yes, nothing inspires a 24-year-old drowning in student debt quite like being told their work is “for humanity.” You know what else contributes to humanity? Eating three meals a day. Affording rent. Perhaps even (dare we dream) owning a car before age 47.

But fear not, dear engineering leaders! I present to you a revolutionary action plan to solve this engineering crisis. These modest proposals will surely convince our brightest minds that designing sewage systems is just as glamorous as designing financial derivatives:

1. THE “ENGINEER EXEMPTION TAX HAVEN” INITIATIVE

Engineers shall pay ZERO income tax. None. Zilch. Why should someone maintaining your MRT system pay the same tax rate as a crypto bro who got lucky? Banks don’t have income tax—they have “wealth optimization strategies.” Engineers should too.

Alternative version: Tax everyone else MORE and give engineers a monthly “Thank You For Keeping Our Toilets Flushing” stipend.

2. THE “GRAB & GO (TO WORK)” PROGRAM

Free Grab rides for all engineers, 24/7. Black car service minimum. Why? Because if you’re going to be paid less than your finance-major cousin who counts other people’s money, the least society can do is ensure you arrive at your underpaid job in comfort.

Bonus: Engineers get priority pickup during peak hours. Let the investment bankers wait in the rain for once.

3. CHILDCARE PRIORITY LANES

Engineers’ children get automatic priority admission to all childcare centers, preschools, and elite schools. Your child gets into Raffles Institution not because you donated a building, but because Daddy prevents buildings from collapsing.

Special perk: “Bring Your Kid to Infrastructure Site” days where children learn that their parent is actually cooler than their friend’s parent who works at Google.

4. THE COE “CERTIFICATE OF ENGINEERING” DISCOUNT

90% COE discount for all practicing engineers. You want to know who’s going to maintain the roads in 50 years? THE PERSON WHO CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO DRIVE ON THEM.

Better yet: Free COE for every five years of service. Loyalty program, but make it vehicular.

5. THE “PRIORITY EVERYTHING” PACKAGE

• Priority HDB selection (BTO? More like “Built-To-Order For Engineers First”)

• Fast-lane immigration at Changi (because you designed the bloody airport)

• Reserved parking at all shopping malls (labeled: “Reserved for Heroes Who Prevent Your Building From Falling”)

• Skip-the-queue privileges at hawker centers (structural integrity is hungry work)

6. THE MANDATORY “BOW TO AN ENGINEER” DAY

Once a year, every Singaporean must personally thank an engineer. Finance bros must kneel. Tech workers must prostrate fully. Politicians must write handwritten apology letters for decades of undervaluing critical infrastructure professionals.

During this sacred day, all engineers receive:

• Free meals at all restaurants

• Complimentary spa treatments

• Public parades (with matching salaries to parade organisers, naturally)

7. THE “PAY PARITY OR PERISH” MANDATE

New law: Engineering starting salaries must match banking starting salaries, dollar for dollar. If Goldman Sachs offers $8,000/month, so must engineering firms.

Why? Because the person ensuring your office building doesn’t collapse during an earthquake deserves at least as much as the person ensuring your Excel spreadsheet balances.

Enforcement mechanism: For every $1,000 salary gap, bank CEOs must personally spend one week doing site inspections in 35°C heat wearing a hard hat.

8. DATING APP PRIVILEGES

Engineers get blue checkmarks on ALL dating apps with the label: “Keeps Society Functioning.”

Mandatory swipe-right algorithm adjustment: Engineers appear 10x more frequently than “entrepreneurs” (who are usually just unemployed with good marketing).

9. THE “PASSION DOESN’T PAY RENT” SCHOLARSHIP

Full scholarship for all engineering students, plus a monthly “living like a human being” allowance. Loan forgiveness after 5 years of service.

Because nothing says “we value engineers” quite like forcing them to choose between their passion and eating protein more than once a week.

10. NATIONAL SERVICE ENGINEERING CREDIT

Two years of NS should count as two years of engineering experience. You spent your youth serving the nation; the nation should acknowledge that service applies to your career track, not just your IPPT score.

11. THE “STOP PRETENDING IT’S ABOUT PASSION” TRUTH CAMPAIGN

Replace all engineering recruitment posters showing smiling engineers with realistic taglines:

• “Build Tomorrow’s Future!” → “Get Paid Today’s Salary (Eventually)”

• “Engineering: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity” → “Engineering: Where Innovation Meets Excel Spreadsheets and Budget Cuts”

• “Make a Difference!” → “Make Ends Meet!”

The engineering crisis isn’t complicated. You can’t tell someone their work is “for humanity” while paying them like their contribution is “for pocket money.”

You can’t expect people to be inspired by “rebranding” and “engagement sessions” when their former classmates in finance are buying condos while they’re wondering if they can afford the COE for a 2008 Toyota.

The solution is simple: Pay engineers like you need them. Because you do.

Otherwise, in 50 years when your MRT breaks down, your buildings need maintenance, and your water treatment plants fail, you can comfort yourself with the knowledge that at least you saved money by offering engineers “the opportunity to contribute to humanity.”

And also, maybe, just maybe, don’t tell people concerned about S$4,000 starting salaries that “it’s not just about making money.”

Because rent is. Childcare is. COE definitely is.

And unless “contribution towards humanity” becomes legal tender, the exodus will continue.

Adrian Tan
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