The past two years have seen NTUC form more than 600 company training committees (CTCs). Of this number, 100 of the companies have implemented an operation and technology roadmap (OTR).
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Koh Poh Koon gave the update at a learning journey to Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore (CKS) on 8 February 2021.
“While companies realise the need to transform, many of them are not sure how to get started. This is where NTUC T&T [NTUC Training and Transformation] can come in to help – working with management and union representatives, we employ OTR as a strategic planning tool to systematically map out transformation plans together with the resources required,” said Dr Koh.
The NTUC T&T, formerly known as the NTUC Training and Work Prospects, was set up in September 2019 to help companies with CTCs drive business and workforce transformation.
The unit adopts the OTR as a tool to help companies develop near-, mid-and long-term business strategies and workforce plans.
“We will also work with the different stakeholders to conduct training needs analysis to ensure that workers are well-equipped to support the desired transformation outcomes. Ultimately, by supporting companies’ transformation, we want to ensure that workers are not left behind – they should be trained and upskilled in tandem so that they can also enjoy better wages, welfare and work prospects,” he added.
Learning Journey
The learning journey to CKS saw how the unionised company worked with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) to implement its OTR. The OTR was completed in June 2020.
As the number of tourist arrivals in Singapore fell more than 95 per cent in Q3 and Q4 2020, the company had to manage and prioritise areas of transformation to facilitate business recovery.
According to the hotel, it has managed to recover 78 per cent of its gross operating profits since implementing the OTR. The roadmap has also helped raise productivity levels as the hotel’s workers took on better jobs.
CKS General Manager Mr Kung Teong Wah said: “COVID-19 has brought unprecedented disruption to the world. If we continue to do what we have always done, we will not be able to weather the storm. Change is essential.
“Through this collaboration with FDAWU, the CTC and CKS leadership team, we were able to develop a 5-year OTR roadmap. This unified strategy gives a big picture perspective for short-, medium- and long-term planning. So far, we have implemented or are beta-testing almost 50 per cent of the plans from the OTR.”
FDAWU General-Secretary Tan Hock Soon said that the union will continue to work closely with the hotel to operationalise the strategies of the OTR and strengthen the capabilities of the hotel’s employees.
“We look forward to partnering hoteliers to navigate the business and manpower challenges arising from COVID-19 situation and press ahead with training and transformation to create sustainable win-win solutions for their business and their workers,” added Mr Tan.
NTUC said that it will leverage the Labour Movement ecosystem to push for more pervasive transformation across various sectors.
