Job redesign, outcome-based contracts can boost estate, facilities management sector: SBF

WORKERS in the estate and facilities management (EFM) sector can stand to benefit from “multi-skilling” and the implementation of outcome-based contracts, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) said on Thursday (Jul 7).

This was according to findings from the Lighthouse Project – a pilot of 10 projects among SBF, 7 industry partners, and 4 trade associations and chambers. Initiated in November 2019, the project aims to improve wages and prospects for essential service workers by enlarging job roles to cover multiple competencies and skills.

Findings from the project were presented to Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee during his visit to Great World Serviced Apartments – which ran one of the pilot projects.

Job redesign and expanding the skillsets and capabilities of EFM workers allow companies to benefit from improved productivity gains, while workers enjoy better career progression and wages, SBF noted.

Allgreen Properties, the owner of Great World Serviced Apartments, rolled out 2 pilot projects which saw trade staff from security and housekeeping pick up customer service and basic mechanical and electrical maintenance skills as part of multi-skilling efforts.

Another area of opportunity highlighted is outcome-based contracts, which help reduce the risk of disputes between service buyers and providers. Such contracts specify contractual requirements in terms of measurable performance metrics, which may include valued-based outcomes, operational parameters and quality standards.

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The Lighthouse Project was carried out across multiple property types – serviced apartments, mixed-use developments, hotels and shopping malls, to name a few, and also involved close to 50 trade staff.

The 7 industry partners involved in the pilot projects were Allgreen Properties, CapitaLand, CBM, Certis Cisco, Far East Organization, ISS Facilities and Pontiac Land.

The trade associations and chambers involved are Environmental Management Association of Singapore, Landscape Industry Association of Singapore, Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore, and Security Association Singapore.

SBF chief executive Lam Yi Young said: “The pilot projects showed that with service buyers and service providers working together, the EFM sector can achieve sustainable productivity gains and uplift the skills and wages of workers.”