Prof Shih Choon Fong, President National University of Singapore and Governor OTC Institute
NTUC Central Committee Members
Guests from the National University of Singapore
Colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am happy to be here for this signing of the MOU between the National University of Singapore Extension and the Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies on the launch of a Professional Diploma in Employment Relations.
Today’s signing is a further progression of ties between the Institute and the NUS. NUS academics played a key role in developing and teaching the Diploma in Industrial Relations for unionists when it was started in 1990. This diploma was subsequently renamed and expanded. Several past and present NUS staff continue to be associated with the diploma course. NUS academics undertake research on behalf of the Institute from time to time. And, NUS President Prof Shih Choon Fong is an appointing member of the OTC Institute’s Board of Governors.
Over the last fifteen years, we have seen a rapid evolution, if not transformation, in many of the features that characterize work and employment relations. Companies have responded to intense competitive pressures by taking a more strategic approach to managing their employees. The push is towards greater alignment between business and HR strategies. And the outcome amongst other things include restructuring, flexible employment contracts, introducing performance related rewards, the adoption of value based management approaches and lean management systems.
The OTC Institute was originally asked to design a graduate diploma for NTUC’s Industrial Relations Officers (IROs). IROs will be brought up to date on the developments and trends in the employment field through this diploma. For new IROs, this diploma would complement the on-the-job-training given at the unions.
The Institute approached NUS to draw on their expertise in some areas for the diploma. NUS readily agreed and suggested jointly co-organising this diploma. The University also requested that the diploma be opened up to others with an interest in labour management relations.
By opening up to a wider field, this diploma can provide a means to enhance the standards of human resource (HR) practice and employment relations in Singapore. This year BERI ranked the Singapore workforce as the best in the world for the 25th year running. The best workforce in the world deserves to have at least one of the best, if not the best workforce managers.
How do our HR standards in Singapore compare to the best in the world? My observation, having been with the labour movement for over 20 years and speaking to practitioners, is that that we can do better. To be fair there are some companies with world class practices and capabilities to effectively engage employees and motivate them to give of their best. We need to build on this and get more companies to embrace progressive employment relations practices.
In the US, companies have high standards and expectations when hiring HR executives. The regulatory environment and litigious culture is such that if a company has less than acceptable standards, it is liable to be punished severely. A wrongful dismissal, unfair practice or any form of discrimination can cost the company millions. To minimize risks companies insist on well qualified HR practitioners.
In Singapore, we too must insist on the highest standards from our HR professionals. HR professionals can have great influence on how the workforce is managed and developed, and in creating a work environment that is safe, productive, fulfilling and rewarding for employees.
Singapore is facing myriad economic and social challenges. We have a volatile business environment, falling birth rates, an ageing workforce, a large pool of less educated and lower skilled workers, greater job churn in the labour market and the spectre of more structural unemployment to contend with, amongst other things.
At the national level broad frameworks and strategies are drawn to tackle such issues and their consequences. Some of the responses are however needed at the workplace level. Whether it is skills upgrading, wage restructuring, pro-family work measures, job recreation, portable benefits or some other initiative, practitioners must understand these issues and act on it. I am glad these and other current issues will be discussed in the Professional Diploma.
This Professional Diploma in Employment Relations should appeal to those who have an interest in the IR and HR matters. It blends the discipline, rigour and analytic methods of the academic with the practical knowledge and approaches of the field practitioner.
From NTUC’s perspective, this Professional Diploma will fit in with other initiatives being undertaken to make NTUC the best source of industrial relations officers. Presently, IROs are in demand after a few years of experience in the trade union movement. With this certification, they will be even more marketable. Some may ask why it is necessary for IR practitioners to have a good grounding in HR issues. In my 25 years experience, I have found it very difficult to segregate IR from HR. Therefore it is crucial for our industrial relations officers to be well grounded in HR matters. Hitherto, our industrial relations officers learn HR from self-study, or through courses offered by other institutions. However, I feel that we are in the best position to offer this programme because the way we have conducted industrial relations in the tripartite framework is unique, and our comparative advantage. This certificate will testify that they have comprehensive knowledge and experience in HR and IR. So there are some risks of NTUC losing staff to the private sector. But this loss will benefit the nation. As more certified IR practitioners enter the private market, Singapore’s unique and functioning model of tripartite labour management relations will find its way into more workplaces.
The NUS is right to suggest opening up the course to the public. I also expect that in time there will be regional interest.
On this note, I commend OTC Institute and NUS for bringing together experts from various fields, including NUS academics and seasoned practitioners from the tripartite partners to teach in the course. I believe this Professional Diploma in Employment Relations should make for an interesting and practical course of studies.
Thank you.
