The OPEC industries are not spared from the effects of Industry 4.0.
Characterised by digitalisation, automated processes and cyber-physical systems, the jobs in the OPEC industries will evolve and require new skills in areas such as the Internet of Things as companies transform themselves to maintain their competitiveness.
Upgrading For The Future
Explaining how digitalisation is not a revolution but an evolution, NTUC OPEC Cluster Chairman and United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI) General Secretary K Karthikeyan said the cluster's priority is in equipping workers with the proper skills to tackle the changes Industry 4.0 presents.
He also highlighted the need to find the balance between having qualifications, skills and experience.
“Fresh entrants into the industry have theoretical knowledge but no practical skills. The existing workers have the experience but no theoretical skills. We want to try to find the balance.
“We have to change our mindsets and learn. We are helping our members better map their careers by identifying skills gaps, and how they may bridge them and eventually do better for themselves.
“Our companies are also supportive of this. Our strength as a cluster is when we rally our different unions, companies and members together to help change and improve things in the industry,” said Mr Karthikeyan.
Doing More
Aside from the OPEC Month engagements, the OPEC cluster of unions have been doing more to upskill their workers by teaming up with SkillsFuture Singapore and the Institutes of Technical Education and polytechnics.
Mr Karthikeyan said the cluster is looking at how skills gaps may be bridged by counting accumulated work experience and knowledge as relevant NITEC and diploma programme modules. The workers can then take on additional training to earn new qualifications.
To make things easier for workers to access training and upskilling, the cluster is also lobbying for training institutions to be located closer to where the OPEC companies are situated.
Mr Kathikeyan also added that the unions are also working with the companies to identify workers who are the most vulnerable and schedule them for training.
Specifically in the chemical industry, Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU) President G Rajendran said that the union is working with ITE and polytechnic partners to develop bite-sized and stackable training to offer more flexibility for workers as they upgrade themselves.
These training courses should be kept relevant and timely with changes in the industry and take into account the job experience of the worker.
“Workers should keep an open mind and embrace changes as well as the need to stay relevant to their industry. The unions will be there to assist them along the way,” he said.
Remaining Vigilant
“The OPEC industries are cyclical but the cycles are now much shorter. No company only focuses on one area of business and they have the resources to diversify their portfolios.
“One of the problems is that jobs in the OPEC industries are considered dirty and dangerous. But we mitigate the perceived higher risks with higher salaries. Over time, if the workers pick up the relevant skills in the workplace and continue to upgrade themselves, they will be able to get good salaries,” explained Mr Karthikeyan.
While there are good career opportunities, changes in the industry present their own set of challenges.
“While we prepare for the future, we also need to be mindful of the challenges. In good or bad times, companies do restructure, merge or undergo liquidation.
“In such instances, unions must be able to act fast and ensure the members’ interest are well looked after. This could mean exploring the chance of redeployment or placement opportunities, to ensuring they receive a fair redundancy package, or other efforts,” said Singapore Shell Employees’ Union (SSEU-SHELL) President Sebastian Koh.
Creating Opportunities
To harness the growth in the OPEC industries, Stolthaven Singapore, a unionised chemical and gas company has partnered the Labour Movement to create good jobs.
“Our partnership with NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) started in 2013, where we developed a Place-and-Train programme for professionals, managers, executives and technicians. We have also worked with UWPI to develop a progressive career pathway for our terminal operators. With that collaboration, we carved out an on-the-job training programme for them. We also participated in career fairs organised by e2i, and got in touch with people who wanted to join the energy and chemicals industry,” said Chok Vui Shung, the company’s general manager.
