Transformation roadmaps will be refreshed to meet new needs: DPM Heng

SINGAPORE'S government will refresh its industry transformation maps (ITMs) to meet the accelerated changes brought by Covid-19, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said at the 40th anniversary event of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) on Friday.

As part of ITM 2025, the tripartite partners - the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and SNEF - will work together to transform the economy, Mr Heng said at this year's event titled "Reshaping the Future of Work: Agile Employers, Resilient Workforce".

ITM 2025 will be complemented by the Emerging Stronger Taskforce, he added. The latter is finalising recommendations of how we can make the most of new opportunities in the post-Covid-19 world.

Mr Heng said that ITM 2025 efforts will also be better complemented by research and innovation, as they will be more closely integrated with the government's previously-announced S$25 billion Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan.

Mr Heng, who is also coordinating minister for economic policies and minister for finance, emphasised the government's strengthened focus on the redesign of jobs, the reskilling of workers and the training of students in institutes of higher learning.

The pandemic has accelerated the future of work, Mr Heng said, entrenching working from home as a viable work model, speeding up automation and the digital revolution, and providing impetus to uplift lower-wage workers.

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"Working from home is one step away from working from anywhere," he added. "This will enable our workers to remotely access new opportunities abroad, but also open them up to competition from overseas." It has therefore become more important to upskill workers.

Mr Heng also said that employer-employee relationships have evolved and lifelong employment is no longer a key feature of the labour market. "What matters more is lifelong employability," he said.

"Workers who are given continuous support from their employers to upgrade and new opportunities, can grow and develop. In turn, companies thrive when workers have the relevant experience and skills, and the ability to create and innovate."

Speaking at the same event, SNEF president Robert Yap said the organisation aims to help up to 1,000 employers make their workplaces more collaborative, productive and inclusive through job transformation workshops.

Dr Yap added that SNEF will contribute S$1 million to support local lower-wage workers whose employers' businesses had failed and who are therefore unable to pay salaries. The government will match S$3 for every dollar contributed.

"Being a tripartite partner, SNEF has decided to do more than just supporting employers," he said.