“The misconception is that sustainability is just about the environment. And when people talk about CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility], the misconception is that it is philanthropy, but it is not,” said Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) Executive Director Wilson Ang.
Besides environmental consciousness, Wilson explained that corporate sustainability also has a large social aspect which includes fair and responsible labour practices, anticorruption and human rights.
“The idea is that businesses can be a force for good and can influence change. What we try to push for is how they can do things in a more responsible manner as part of a community,” he said.
According to Wilson, as more companies go towards being more sustainable, there is a need to prepare the people for the new job opportunities that will emerge. To effectively reach out to working people and achieve this, GCNS has partnered NTUC U Associate.
Moulding The Future
GCNS signed a memorandum of understanding with NTUC U Associate in April 2017, making it the 59th partner in the network. The launch also saw the introduction of two sectoral initiatives to prepare working Singaporeans for available jobs in the market.
The first, the Sustainability Internship Programme, was developed following GCNS’s participation in the Green Jobs Symposium organised by Young NTUC in 2016. The programme aims to bridge the gap where young workers have the qualifications but lack the necessary experience to secure jobs.
The second initiative, the Sustainability Professional Programme, was co-developed by the association, NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and U Associate.
Targeted at mid-career professionals, the programme consists of 10 days of classroom training and four weeks of mentorship or attachment to a company.
Both programmes are scheduled to start in the second half of 2017.
Leveraging The Network
GCNS is also hoping to leverage the Labour Movement’s U Startup network and the small- and medium-sized companies in the U SME network to share how the adoption of more sustainable business practices can be useful.
Citing how being sustainable need not mean expensive changes, Wilson said: “Things like making sure your labour practices are right, treating your people fairly, giving people equal access and at the same time, making sure your resources are well managed will save you money and help in staff retention.”
New Job Potential
Citing a growing awareness of sustainability around the world, Wilson shared how Singapore has been driving sustainable development through its Sustainability Singapore Blueprint 2015 which details the national vision for a sustainable and liveable city.
According to him, this opens up new opportunities for jobs in the area of sustainable products and services, such as in the development of green buildings and solar panels.
Another area is in processes, where professionals look at how to help a company develop more efficient processes that are both socially and environmentally responsible.
To do well in such a role, Wilson said that critical thinking, being innovative and the ability to communicate will be most important.
“Singaporeans need to be prepared to go beyond to the regional market because there are only so many companies in Singapore. And the region does look at Singapore as a beacon of light with such expertise and that’s why we want to prepare our young Singaporeans to be world ready as well,” said Wilson.
