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~ Skilled essential trades targeted include plumbers, electricians, and air-conditioning & mechanical ventilation mechanics ~
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng today announced NTUC’s strategic intent to help uplift the work prospects and wages of skilled essential tradesmen through the Career Progression Model (CPM). At a learning journey, Sec-Gen Ng met plumbers from JD Waters Pte Ltd together with NTUC U SME Director Yeo Wan Ling and Singapore Plumbing Society President Dickrose Masalamani at a plumbing maintenance site at Block 152 Jalan Teck Whye.
Since NTUC launched the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) in 2012, we have made much progress in uplifting the wages and work prospects of our lower-wage workers. By the end of this year, the suite of Progressive Wage initiatives, including PWM, Occupational Progressive Wage (OPW), Lowest Qualifying Salary (LQS) and the Progressive Wage Mark (PW Mark), will include 94% of lower-wage workers. Moving forward, NTUC wants to look at how we can better recognise and champion the value of skilled tradesmen beyond the scope of the PWM.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “There is a national need to ensure that essential services such as water and power are safeguarded. If the current challenges facing skilled essential trades are not addressed, we will see a critical lack of local expertise in these sectors in 10 years’ time. That is why we are proposing the development of the ‘Career Progression Model’ (CPM) for skilled essential tradesmen so that they can have a viable career in these trades; and sustain the continued supply of local talent in these sectors.”
Why is NTUC Focusing on “Skilled Trades”?
There are currently more than 50,000 local workers in skilled trades, ranging from Electrical & Electronic Trades, Metal & Machinery Trades and Building & Related Trades Workers amongst others. The median wage of these workers is about $2,600 in 2022, which is near the threshold for lower-wage workers (For reference, the threshold for the Workfare Income Supplement is $2,500).
These skilled trades require extensive training and work experience to gain the level of expertise needed to do the job well. There is a growing concern of a “skilled trades gap” as the older generation retires, coupled with the lack of qualified candidates to take on these jobs. According to the Singapore Labour Force Survey 2022, more than half of ‘Craftsmen & Related Trades Workers’ are currently above 50 years old. The number of resident employees in these trades have fallen by 40 – 50% over the last 10 years.
Observing these trends, NTUC wants to ensure a sustainable supply of locals into these trades to meet our national needs. These trades also provide essential services which are necessary to support our economy. A shortage of such skilled labour can severely impact our future infrastructure plans and economic growth. It is also part of our social compact to uplift and support these workers to be a more inclusive society, that values not just cognitive skills but also technical skills as well.
To start off, NTUC will prioritise the uplifting of work prospects and wages for three skilled essential trades – trades that have a direct effect on the daily life of Singaporeans. Some examples include plumbers, electricians, and air-conditioning & mechanical ventilation (ACMV) mechanics.
Enhancing the Work Prospects and Wages of Skilled Essential Tradesmen
NTUC recognises the need to invest in building sustainable career pathways that would attract and retain more locals, especially young people in these trades. To do so, NTUC will work with stakeholders to put in place a Career Progression Model (CPM) that would translate to better work prospects and better wages in these skilled essential trades. This includes supporting skilled essential tradesmen to develop their skills, attain mastery, and build long-term careers.
The proposed CPM approach aims to professionalise skilled essential trades by working with industry stakeholders to:
a. Introduce structured technical skills competency frameworks that may translate into better career prospects and better wages.
b. Define more training pathways leading from tertiary education into skilled essential trades.
c. Publicise clear and transparent quality standards for respective sectors.
d. Incentivise companies to implement productivity and technological improvements. E.g., through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant.
NTUC will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders, unions, tradesmen, and trade associations to gather their feedback and views to collaborate on the CPM for skilled essential tradesmen. An upcoming #EveryWorkerMatters Conversation will be held with tradesmen later this month on 23 February 2023.
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