NTUC and professional service firm Grant Thornton have partnered to help companies embark on sustainable business transformations.
The partnership leverages NTUC’s Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative and Grant Thornton’s consultancy expertise.
Together, they will help companies drive business transformation and upskill their workforce to become more resilient in the green economy.
An agreement between NTUC and Grant Thornton was signed on 5 June 2024.
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan said that Grant Thornton will strengthen support for companies in environmental, social and governance (ESG) diagnostic assessment and consultancy services.
At the same time, NTUC will assist them in establishing the CTC and administering the CTC Grant, where applicable.
He said: “This strategic partnership catalyses companies to confidently pursue sustainable business transformations by leveraging CTCs. Workers can also look forward to greater career growth and longevity in new or redesigned roles.
“This creates a win-win outcome where businesses thrive, Singapore prospers, and our workers enjoy better wages, welfare and work prospects.”
NTUC has also introduced an awareness, resources, and community (ARC) framework to provide sustainability solutions to employers and training benefits to workers.
The ARC framework's goal is to increase awareness of ESG initiatives through learning journeys, sessions, and infographics and emphasise the significance of sustainability.
The framework will also utilise resources from NTUC's Training and Placement Ecosystem, Grant Thornton's consultancy solutions, and the NTUC CTC Grant.
Additionally, it will create a community through Community of Practices and networking opportunities to support shared learning and capacity building.
Grant Thornton CEO Belinda Tan said she is proud to partner with NTUC to bring this sustainability framework to life.
“Through this collaboration, we can help companies of varying sizes become more sustainable, not only for the benefit of the world but also for their own business resilience,” she said.
Grant Thornton will also equip NTUC’s Industry Training Officers with the skills and capabilities to assess companies’ ESG readiness. This will be done through a complimentary ESG Diagnostics Assessment certified by The Centre for Research in International Finance High Mark (CRIF).
After the assessment, companies can select a consultancy and software service package to determine the next step in their sustainability journey.
Furthermore, companies that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing productivity or innovation while allowing workers to benefit from wage increments or career development plans can also apply for the NTUC CTC Grant for up to 70 per cent funding support on their transformation costs.
The ARC framework offers employers professional assessment, consultancy services, and funding support to implement sustainability initiatives.
Companies can access NTUC’s Training and Placement Ecosystem, which provides a network of training partners and resources.
NTUC said this will enable businesses to leverage sustainability-focused training programmes and tools, empowering workers to upskill in alignment with business transformation efforts.
The ARC framework will offer various sustainability courses and certifications from over 20 training partners for workers to consider.
NTUC LearningHub’s Industry Insights Reports indicate high demand for sustainability skills in sectors such as transportation and tourism.
The Future Jobs & Skills Report shows that 58 per cent of 200 surveyed business leaders are hiring or planning to hire for green job roles. However, 81 per cent face challenges in filling these positions due to a talent shortage, highlighting the need for skills upgrading.
NTUC shared that the partnership between NTUC and Grant Thornton aims to address this gap.
