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80,000 professionals to be trained by 2025 to transform construction sector

SINGAPORE — To drive productivity improvements in the construction sector, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) aims to more than double the number of personnel trained in technologies and innovation. It also plans to make jobs in the sector more highly skilled and attractive to young Singaporeans.

Construction workers working at a construction site. Photo: TODAY file photo

Construction workers working at a construction site. Photo: TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — To drive productivity improvements in the construction sector, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) aims to more than double the number of personnel trained in technologies and innovation. It also plans to make jobs in the sector more highly skilled and attractive to young Singaporeans.

These are part of the industry’s transformation map, which was launched on Tuesday (Oct 24) at the opening of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week.

The BCA said that the sector would need “a strong core” of professionals, managers, executives and technicians who are well-equipped with core engineering skills and the requisite skills in design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), integrated digital delivery (IDD), and green building capabilities.

A target has been set to train 35,000 in DfMA, 20,000 personnel in IDD, and 25,000 in green buildings by 2025.

To achieve this, a Built Environment SkillsFuture Tripartite (Best) taskforce has been formed to look at providing more structured internships, and lead the training of more new graduates to become “fully job-ready” based on industry feedback, the BCA said. Detailed recommendations on this will be made at a later stage.

In working to transform the built environment sector, the authority said that the quality of the workforce needs to be strengthened, especially for the key professions of engineering and architecture. The growth of IDD, DfMA and green buildings will hopefully appeal to younger and more tech-savvy Singaporeans.

Redesigned jobs resulting from the industry’s transformation will involve higher skills, more competitive salaries and a better work environment, it added.

For example, new roles such as production engineers and supervisors overseeing manufacturing of prefabricated concrete walls, and building information modelling managers have been introduced to the sector, and they work in a more conducive indoor work environment compared to conventional construction work.

The traditional worksite will also be transformed to become more streamlined, with fewer but more highly skilled workers needed to operate smarter machines and tools.

The industry’s transformation map was developed in close partnership with the sector, trade associations and chambers, institutes of higher learning, unions and the Government through extensive consultation and discussions.

The construction sector is among 23 which contribute most significantly to Singapore’s economy and identified to develop such a map. Other sectors under the built environment cluster that require this blueprint are the real estate, security, environmental services and landscape sectors.

Mr Desmond Lee, Second Minister for National Development, said at the opening of the Singapore Construction Productivity Week that transforming the construction sector from end-to-end “is not just a slogan”.

To do this will mean using more effective and productive construction methods, embracing more digitalisation, and strengthening the workforce so that more Singaporeans can benefit from these opportunities.

“What we want to do is set the conditions for the entire industry to upgrade, to upskill, and to offer cutting-edge products and services to Singapore, to the region and to the world. This is particularly salient given the difficult market conditions that many of us face today. These conditions make it imperative for us to start now,” Mr Lee said.

“When we succeed, we will have Singapore firms that will not only be able to thrive locally, but also compete abroad. There will be an expansion of market opportunities that will mean better jobs and new niche areas for Singaporeans, and stronger Singapore firms.”

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