There are roles beyond research & policy making. There is an emerging need for more senior ops positions as they are the frontline of ensuring delivering of policies. The public service realized this important role so there are possibilities other than what you mentioned. Having said that, I do agree the most senior roles are still policy makers but how many who are not AOs can actually make it to PS?

Half of CS/PS are uni grads, only top 10% becomes Dir and above, next 15% DDs, SAD/ADs next 20% (equivalents in mx terms rather than job title). Don't expect much for poly or local uni grads

From what I see, a lot of the new progression is actually for the more senior workers in PS/CS or quasi-govt services like PA. These workers have a lot of experience and are hard workers, but they were born in a time where going to uni was relatively unheard of. These workers are in their early 40s to 50s. In fact, it has already been implemented for quite some time. My father-in-law works in PA, he is well-liked by his supervisors and the residents he takes care of, but he couldn't move up because he only had an N-level cert. So he was sent to take a biz diploma from Ngee Ann Poly and just graduated last year. Now he's in unisim doing his degree.

But nowadays, its quite different, those who have both the intellect and the hardworking mentality usually end up with good poly/A-level results and end up in uni. Only a small number with good poly grades and good work ethics choose to work first instead of going to university.

Nevertheless, the point is to ensure that the doors and the opportunity to upgrade are ALWAYS open. Some late bloomers only realise their potential in the working world. Some only decide to push harder at work when they have kids of their own to work for. So for these people, opportunity is there to go up the ladder. Its not about equating diplomas to degrees. Its about realising people's full potential. Like what another poster has said above, there are frontline ops roles that need these people. Just like the example of my father-in-law, he works hard on the ground, so much so that the senior residents in his area are really fond of him. But because of educational barriers, they were unable to promote him to a senior ops role.

Answer 0. because those who can make it to PS would have been converted to AOs already!

I get what you mean. The problem is that poly is still seen as an easier way to a job or to univ, for those kids who are not so intellectual and not so keen on high stakes exams.

Of course, they will lose out when it comes to doing intellectual work - and anyway, poly does not provide much training in this area.

Dip holders also need to shake off the 'office hours' or 'overtime pay' mentality, IMHO, when taking up degree holder positions. Some will be unhappy that they have to take up additional roles beyond their specialty, which is par for the course for degree holder position in PS or CS.

I'm in this situation too. Does anyone have the answer? Thanks.

Think best to ask your HR?

for PB, C and C+ or C- gets same amount?

No, different amounts. It would also differ based on the MX grade which you are in. B in mx11 would get different amount from B in mx12 for example.

Might anyone have an idea of how architects or urban planners and designers fare in public sector like ura and hdb?
Are these positions in high demand, say 20 applications for 1 vacancy?
Thanks in advance**