First Integration Skills Development Programme launches in Singapore

ISS and NTUC LearningHub (LHUB®) today announced a collaboration that will have LHUB® train up to 1,300 ISS employees locally over the next 36 months. Jointly developed by LHUB® and ISS, the Integration Skills Development Programme is customised to provide an integrated and holistic training platform that will lead each ISS employee—from the operational level to the PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) level through a career path that focuses on life-long competence development and career progression.

This is the first time ISS has introduced such a programme in Singapore. It intends to roll out to other ISS establishments in 50 countries. LHUB® is the only training provider in Singapore that is capable of providing this customised, all-collars and all-sectors specialisation programme that includes vocational skills, soft skills, and managerial skills. LHUB®’s capability to provide integrated solutions from design to implementation across all levels of employees ‘under one roof’ is probably the first in the market. The collaboration leverages this unique competency of developing a training framework for the entire workforce.

The Integration Skills Development Programme supports the ISS business model to become a ‘one-stop’ provider for facility services. The customised training corresponds to an individual’s career growth and enhances the life-time value of an employee to an organisation, rather than trains an employee for short-term needs. Through this programme, ISS hopes to develop and invest in their employees’ professional development, spanning from contract and casual workers, such as cleaners, through to PMETs.

“Singapore celebrated its first Cleaners’ Day recently and recognised the hard work of cleaners and their contribution to Singapore’s hygiene and cleanliness. Saying ‘Thank You’ is necessary, but not sufficient. Knowing that the work and livelihood of cleaners are tough, we must ask the hard questions of how to help them uplift their income, upgrade their skills and enhance their prospects. At the same time, we must also highlight the career possibilities and advancement opportunities that are available in the industry for trained and motivated employees at both non-executive and executive levels. Only then will we be making a real, substantial and lasting difference to their lives," said Mr Heng Chee How, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC and Executive Secretary for the Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU).

This can be achieved through the following approach:
a. Best sourcing – pay for value, don’t be penny wise and pound foolish
b. Cheaper – be more productive – smarter work methods, better technology
c. Better – be more skilled – higher standards of systematic training
d. Faster – be multi-skilled and so able to be flexibly deployed

“Today, ISS, LHUB®, UCCW (Unit for Contract and Casual Workers) and BATU are jointly taking this critical step to provide more systematic training and development for ISS workers. This will not only enhance productivity for ISS, but also set the stage for such improvement in the cleaning industry as a whole," added Mr Heng.

This tripartite initiative represents one of ISS core strategic objectives of developing and providing people development opportunities through specific training solutions. Endorsing the Integration Skills Development Programme, Mr Woon Chiap Chan, ISS Country Managing Director said: “Multi-skilling, leading to higher productivity and better career prospects and hence, is always a WIN-WIN formula. Importantly, the skill-sets acquired by the employee through this initiative can never be stolen or lost. For this reason, ISS is committed to this holistic programme.”

“Based on our experience of transforming single-skilled housekeepers to multi-skilled specialists in the hospital, we have learnt that the process is complex and dynamic. Together with LHUB®, we anticipate that this programme will likely to require active review and updating to stay relevant,” elaborated Mr Woon.

“At LHUB®, we continue to build capabilities for the future. We train as well as design the whole spectrum of training programme, which makes us the leader in the training landscape. LHUB® is glad to be the key partner of ISS training and human development efforts. As this training framework embraces the entire workforce of ISS, our current capabilities for Operational and Supervisory level employees as well as our plans to move into the PMET training market will make LHUB® very attractive for such large training initiatives with MNCs. This partnership will further strengthen our unique market position in Singapore,” said Zee Yoong Kang, CEO, NTUC LearningHub.

While the Integration Skills Development Programme will be first launched in Singapore on 3 September 2009, LHUB® plans to partner ISS to roll out this holistic programme regionally to other companies within the ISS family in various countries by 2011. With LHUB® currently exploring training businesses overseas, this strategic partnership is timely and holds great potential beyond Singapore.