THE Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) on Thursday (Jan 13) launched a new framework aimed at helping trade associations and chambers strengthen their capabilities and upskill their workers.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, who was present at the launch, said the Growth Model and Competency Framework is designed to help the associations and chambers identify gaps and the relevant skills required to better attract, retrain and develop the right talent.

"This new model that we are launching today will have the trade association and chambers gain new skills to further support the transformation and development of (their) member companies," she added.

Among other things, the framework includes a chart growth roadmap which the trade associations and chambers can use to identify internal gaps as well as help achieve long-term goals.

It also has a toolkit which provides the associations and chambers with a more structured approach to planning their growth targets.

Aligned with SkillsFuture Singapore's (SSG) national skills framework, the competency framework identifies 22 job roles across 7 functional tracks and lays out the existing and emerging skills required for those employed within the sector.

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It has also mapped out career pathways which the assocations and chambers can use to attract, retrain and develop staff members.

Low had first announced the framework during last year's Committee of Supply debate in March.

She said then that the framework would help the associations and chambers by supporting industry transformation and business growth.

The framework was developed over a period of more than 6 months, with support from Enterprise Singapore (ESG), the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and SSG, and in consultation with over 30 trade associations and chambers.

Separately, SCCCI on Thursday signed an agreement with Nanyang Polytechnic to develop training courses for trade associations and chambers' workers.

For a start, they will jointly launch a 5-day course in basic trade association administration. The trade association and chambers can get up to 90 per cent funding for the cost of the course when they sponsor their employees to attend.

Employees can strengthen their knowledge in areas such as strategy and governance, membership, and industry development, among others.

A new skills advisory initiative will also be developed by SCCCI, in partnership with ESG, SBF and SSG, to further help the trade associations and chambers address any relevant skill gaps.

Roland Ng, SCCCI's president, said: "I hope that with the implementation of the Growth Model and Competency Framework, we can help the trade associations and chambers to uplift and future-proof themselves to better support the local business community."