---
title: What Budget 2026 Isn’t Saying About the Job Market [W&S 157, Budget Special]
description: We break down the Budget 2026 and its potential impact on the workforce and economy. Diving deep into AI, labour market shifts, and future career trends.
image: https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/SG%20Budget%20React%203.png
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 Feb 23, 2026, 10:03:30 AM

# What Budget 2026 Isn’t Saying About the Job Market \[W&S 157, Budget Special\]

![Picture of The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20(2)-3.png?width=50&name=Square%20(2)-3.png) [The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut)

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 Get ready for an insightful episode where we break down the [#budget2026](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/budget2026) and its potential impact on the workforce and economy. This isn’t your typical budget discussion. We’re diving deep into AI, labour market shifts, and future career trends. **Meet the Experts:**

- **Hui Wen Woo:** A Recruiter; Director at Binoculer, sharing insights into how the job market has become more complicated than ever.
- **Dr. Pinchuan Ong:** An assistant Prof at NUS Business School, offering a macro view of how AI is reshaping industries and careers.
- **Somnath Kansabanik:** Senior Leader in Energy Transition. A former full-time employee turned fractional career consultant, discussing the rise of the gig economy and its place in the current budget.

**What to Expect:**

- How AI is influencing jobs, from displacement concerns to upskilling opportunities.
- The reality behind layoffs, especially in tech and finance, and what industries are hiring.
- Key budget measures that could impact your future career, whether you're in a traditional role or shifting to a more flexible, fractional career.

 Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on the future of work! Tune in now! 

**What We Discuss:**

-  [03:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=195s) What in this budget resonates most?
- [10:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=631s) Is the layoff issue downplayed?
- [16:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=996s) How can we properly measure underemployment?
- [25:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=1526s) Should training be guided instead of marketplace-driven?
- [28:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=1715s) Will salary peaks shift due to AI changes?
- [31:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=1868s) What’s a fair adjustment when switching industries?
- [39:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=2340s) Are employers really valuing transferable skills?
- [45:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=2732s) How will EP and levy increases affect the job market?
- [55:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZspJJNfQOs&t=3331s) What is within government control vs individual responsibility? 

**Episode Resources:**

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Join our [community group](https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2-JSYItZawSUnNP4YhAicLp0H2wXwx8EBmQgbzOJrjA6YRiPWXtFDSH4_aem_t1DMRY5jrSAapreaSX9ntw) and drop us your insights on this topic.

 

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## [Our Last Wise & Shine Episode](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-finale)

[![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WnS%20161.png?height=200&name=WnS%20161.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-161)

## [Should You Tell Your Boss About Your Mental Health Diagnosis? \[W&S 161\]](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-161)

[![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WnS%20160.png?height=200&name=WnS%20160.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-160)

## [The Builder Traits That Make Mid-Career Professionals Irreplaceable \[W&S 160\]](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-160)

[![](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SG%20Budget%20React%203.png?height=200&name=SG%20Budget%20React%203.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-157)

## [What Budget 2026 Isn’t Saying About the Job Market \[W&S 157, Budget Special\]](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-157)

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