MEDIA RELEASE MORE JOB AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCALS IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Despite the gloomy economic outlook, the construction sector, with the surge in construction projects these two years, will still be recruiting construction personnel across professional, technical, supervisory and tradesmen levels. To enhance the employability of more locals in the industry, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) is targeting three key areas: job availability, career promotion and training opportunities. 2. Job Availability in Construction Sector. Since last year, the construction sector has been enjoying strong growth and development. The construction demand in 2007 was $24.5bil, a sharp increase from the $16.8bil in 2006. This year, it is expected to go even higher and hit about $30bil. This high volume of contracts awarded in the past 2 years will translate to a sustained volume of construction work over the next 2 years that opens up job opportunities in the sector. Other than Professionals, Managerial, Executive and Technical (PMET) personnel, the industry will need additional construction tradesmen and foremen. With the current economic downturn which is beginning to hit the job market, more locals could consider taking up careers in the construction sector, in particular as supervisory personnel and tradesmen in the higher value-add construction trades that include construction plant operation, electrical wiring installation and plumbing. New local entrants who join the industry can look forward to starting monthly salaries of S$1,400 to S$1,700 at tradesmen level, and up to $3,500 at PMET level. From their entry positions, these new entrants can move up the career progression paths within the industry through accumulation of experience and upgrading of capabilities. (See Annex A for more details on career and training progression pathways in the construction sector.)
3. BCA s Career Promotion Efforts. BCA has been actively engaging in public outreach programmes to promote careers in the built environment. To further BCA s career promotion efforts, the Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education, Ms. Grace Fu, will be launching BCA s new Building Careers website (www.buildingcareers.sg) at the BCA Academy Graduation Ceremony today, which sees the graduation of 490 Academy s students from its certificate, diploma and specialist diploma programmes. This website will not only serve to reach out and attract potential candidates to take up careers in the built environment, but also act as a platform for job seekers to search for recruitment opportunities in the industry. In addition, BCA will be organizing a Built Environment Scholarship, Training & Career Fair and BCA Academy Open House in January next year. This event will see BCA s concerted partnership with industry firms, other relevant government agencies and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) in attracting and recruiting talents into the industry. (See Annex B for more details of the website and fair.) 4. Despite the current economic situation, the construction sector, which is outperforming many other sectors, will continue to offer good prospects to local job-seekers. With adequate training opportunities, new entrants will be able to enjoy rewarding advancements in career progression. It is timely for locals to consider construction-related job opportunities and contribute to the development of an excellent built environment. BCA is working closely with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) in providing funding schemes to train and enhance the employability of more locals in the construction sector as well as to chart their career progression in the industry. Going forward, these efforts will go a long way in building up a core group of locals, who will lead and advance the construction workforce for the future development of Singapore s built environment. said Mr. Lam Siew Wah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BCA. 5. Training Opportunities and Incentive Schemes Available. To bring more locals into the construction industry, BCA has been working closely with NTUC and WDA through the Job Recreation Programmes to match locals to suitable jobs available in the industry. Various funding schemes have also been put in place to help defray the training costs for new local entrants in built environment courses at
the BCA Academy. A wide range of courses are available for both new entrants and existing personnel to upgrade. These courses are structured at 4 levels from tradesman, junior supervisor, supervisor and professional levels to provide a comprehensive progression pathway. BCA Academy provides an alternative route in getting trained and qualified for a career in the construction industry. (See Annex C for available training schemes) 6. Recognising the need to develop a competent and progressive construction workforce, the Construction Re-skilling for Employment (CORE) Plus Programmes have been incorporated into the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR), the recently launched $600m government programme to upgrade the manpower capabilities of both companies and workers. Specialist tradesmen are highly regarded in the construction industry. They also have good job prospects. By including the courses under SPUR, we hope more companies can scale up the skill profile of their workers and build a competitive edge. Job seekers should also consider the training and employment opportunities in the industry. The training programmes can help them become more job-ready so that they can contribute immediately at the workplace." said Mr. Chan Heng Kee, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). Issued by the Building and Construction Authority on 5 December, 2008
ANNEX A CAREER PROGRESSION PATHWAYS 1 To facilitate learning and make skills upgrading more accessible to the workforce in the construction industry, a comprehensive set of career progression pathways has been drawn up by BCA as shown in the chart attached. There are 4 levels in the progression pathways: Monthly Salary (Locals) Level Profession/ Occupation with Job Opportunities for Locals Crane operators (without overtime pay) New Entrants Experienced Personnel (About 3 yrs) Operators of other types of construction plants (Eg. excavators, bulldozers, track shovels) a. Tradesmen Tradesmen in: - Architectural trades (Eg. Painting, cladding installation) - Building Services (Eg. Electrical wiring installation, plumbing, lift installation) - Civil & Structural trades (Eg. Pre-stressing, welding) $1,400 to $1,700 $1,900 to $2,800 b. Junior Supervisor Resident Technical Officer Site supervisor $1,600 to $2,200 $3,000 to $4,000 c. Supervisor Safety Officer/ Safety Supervisor $1,800 to $2,500
Level Profession/ Occupation with Job Opportunities for Locals Monthly Salary (Locals) (without overtime pay) New Entrants Experienced Personnel (About 3 yrs) d. Professional Project Manager Design/ Project Architect Design/ Project Engineer (Civil and Structural) Resident Engineer (Civil and Structural) Design/ Project Engineer (Mechanical) Design/ Project Engineer (Electrical) Quantity Surveyor $2,500 to $3,500 $4,500 to $5,500 2 The pathways provide: a. An alternative route for Pre-Employment Training (PET) route for school leavers. b. Continuing Education and Training (CET) opportunities for continual upgrading of the existing workforce to enhance their skills and knowledge. c. Conversion training for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technical personnel (PMET) from other sectors who wants to cross over to the construction industry. 3 The entry level is dependent on relevant prior experience and qualifications of the applicant. Opportunities for specialization in selected niche areas are also available.
CoreTrade 4 In addition, BCA will be introducing the Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade) scheme this month. Under this new scheme, experienced and skilled tradesmen and foremen in key construction trades could register with BCA. From around middle of next year, Licensed Builders undertaking construction works above S$20 million will be required to deploy a minimum number of registered CoreTrade personnel in their projects. 5 This scheme was introduced to allow the construction industry to build up its core group of competent and experienced workforce. CoreTrade provides a platform to retain the better and more experienced workers by providing a clear career progression path and giving them due recognition. It will allow one to move from a general worker, to a registered CoreTrade tradesman specializing in specific trades, and eventually become a registered CoreTrade trade foreman. The development of a core group of construction personnel will support the industry s role in shaping our built environment, supporting Singapore s economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of our people. 6 The key construction trades involved in the scheme are tabulated in the table below: TRADE FOREMEN TRADESMEN Electrical Works Electrical Works Plumbing and Piping Works Plumbing & Piping Works Tiling and Stone Laying Tiling & Stone Laying Waterproofing Works Construction Plant Operation Reinforced Concrete Works Structural Steel Works
Career and Training Progression Paths
List of Training Programmes offered at BCA Academy Programmes (A)Professional Level Specialist Diploma in Construction Quality, Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety Management Specialist Diploma in Facility & Energy Management Specialist Diploma in Interior and Landscape Design Specialist Diploma in M&E Co-ordination Specialist Diploma in Building Cost Management Specialist Diploma in Informatics for Construction Management (B) Supervisor Level Diploma in Construction Engineering Part-time Certificate in Interior Finishing Co-ordination Certificate in Pavement Construction & Maintenance Certificate in Precast Concrete Construction Supervision Certificate in Waterproofing Supervision Safety Co-ordinators Training Course (C) Junior Supervisor Level Trade Diploma in Structural Steel Work Trade Diploma in Reinforced Concrete Construction Trade Diploma in Electrical Technology Trade Diploma in Plumbing & Pipefitting Trade Diploma in Waterproofing Installation Trade Diploma in Tiling & Stone Laying National Building Qualifications National Building Qualification (NBQ) in Project Supervision Higher National Building Qualification (H.NBQ) in Project Supervision Advanced National Building Qualification (A.NBQ) in Project Supervision Safety Courses Building Construction Supervisors Safety Course Formwork Safety Course For Supervisors Recognising Hazards in Deep Excavation for Temporary Retaining Structures For Supervisors Supervision of Metal Scaffold Erection Certification Courses (Supervisor/Technician) Builder Certificate in Plumbing & Pipefitting Certificate in Building Measurement Certificate in Geotechnical Instrumentation for Supervisors Certificate in Levelling & Setting Out (D) Tradesmen Level Saddle Jib Tower Crane Luffing Jib Tower Crane Crawler Crane Truck-Mounted Mobile Crane Excavator & Telescopic Handler Plumbing & Pipefitting Electrical Wiring Installation Tiling & Stone Laying Fire Sprinkler Installation Suspended Ceiling Installation Plastering Timber doors & Windows Installation Painting Air Con Ducting Installation
ANNEX B BCA S NEW INITIATIVES FOR CAREER PROMOTION 1) Building Careers website (www.buildingcareers.sg) This new website will be a 3-in-1 Integrated Portal for the Built Environment. It aims to: Guide the user to a whole range of interesting courses related the built environment offered by BCA Academy and the Institutions of Higher Learning (under Build Knowledge) Share with the user tips and advice from BCA-Industry Built Environment scholars and young successful professionals involved in iconic projects like the Sentosa IR, as well as information on the job scope and training routes for the various professions (under Build Careers); and Provide exciting career opportunities offered by reputable industry firms with the click of a button, where job seekers can even upload video clips to introduce themselves to their prospective employers (under Build Jobs).
2) Built Environment Scholarship, Training and Career Fair 2009 This dedicated event for the built environment will be held at BCA Academy on 17 January 2009, and aims to achieve the following 3 objectives: To attract top talents to take up scholarships offered by built environment government agencies as well as industry firms to build up a pool of young professionals for future leadership renewal; To showcase courses and training programmes in the built environment offered by BCA Academy, polytechnics and universities. WDA and NTUC will also participate in this event to promote their schemes such as JRP and SDF schemes; and To bring together all players in the built environment, both public and private, in a coordinated manner showcasing the range of exciting jobs available in the industry BCA Academy will also be having its open house on the same day, so visitors to the Fair will be able to visit the BCA Gallery and Sensory Garden, and find out more about the training programmes and courses offered by Academy.
ANNEX C TRAINING SCHEMES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR BACKGROUND Job Recreation Programme (JRP) A JRP taskforce was formed in March 2005 to co-ordinate efforts for the construction sector. BCA was appointed as the champion for construction sector JRP and our roles include the following; a. To reclaim jobs of higher value in the construction industry for locals b. To identify and re-train unemployed locals for reclaimed jobs c. To identify job opportunities and match them to re-trained locals For the construction sector, the Construction Re-Skilling for Employment (CORE) programme was developed, in which jobseekers are matched with potential employers and sent to attend trade diploma courses (for entry at junior supervisor level) at BCA Academy. An enhanced version, COREPlus programme, was later developed as an extension of the CORE programme, for new entrants at tradesmen level. FUNDING SCHEMES There are currently various funding schemes that have been put in place to support the training schemes above and help defray the training costs for new local entrants in built environment courses at the BCA Academy. In addition, WDA has recently announced the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR), which is a new 2-year programme by the tripartite partners to help companies and workers manage the economic downturn and invest in skills for the recovery. It will be funded by the Government at a cost of $600 million over 2 years. The objectives of SPUR are: (i) Cut Costs and Save Jobs - Help companies to manage excess manpower and reduce retrenchment; (ii) Reskill and Upskill - Help local workers including those retrenched, upgrade skills and convert to new jobs; and (iii) Build Capabilities for Recovery - Strengthen our manpower capabilities to better position our workforce for the upturn SPUR will help employers to manage their manpower costs and save jobs with enhanced support for course fee subsidies and higher absentee payroll for their local workers sent for training at Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centres. SPUR for workers will help unemployed workers redeploy to new jobs
and help in-employment workers to upgrade their skills. These measures will better prepare our workforce to seize new opportunities in the economic recovery and strengthen Singapore s competitive advantage. The key features of the different levels of funding schemes are summarized in the table below: Funding Scheme Category Level 1 - SDF Training Assistance Scheme Employee age 40 and above with A Level qualifications Absentee Course Fee Payroll 90% of course fee, up to $11 per trainee-hour 90% of hourly basic salary (capped at $4.50 per trainee-hour) Course Fee 80% of course fee, up to $7 per trainee-hour Others Absentee Payroll 80% of hourly basic salary (capped at $4.00 per trainee-hour) Level 2 Enhanced with outcome (Outcome being placement, retention or salary Increment) 90% of course fee, up to $16 per trainee-hour 90% of hourly basic salary (capped at $4.50 per trainee-hour) 80% of course fee, up to $11 per trainee-hour 80% of hourly basic salary (capped at $4.00 per trainee-hour) Level 3 - SPUR 90% of course fee 90% of hourly basic salary (capped at $6.80 per trainee-hour) 80% of course fee 80% of hourly basic salary (capped at $6.00 per trainee-hour) Currently, there are 5 crane-related training programmes that fall under the SPUR framework. BCA and BCA Academy are working with WDA to include more Academy courses under SPUR so that locals, both new entrants and existing workforce, can enjoy greater funding support for training.