By Shukry Rashid
With the focus on Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) in full swing within the Labour Movement, the Singapore Industrial & Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) is working hard to implement the ITMs on the ground.
In preparation for SISEU’s Ordinary Delegates’ Conference (ODC) in July 2018, the union organised a Pre-ODC session from 5–6 May 2018 for its leaders to come together to take stock of their achievements and identify the challenges ahead.
Implementing the ITMs
In the dialogue session held with some 150 SISEU union leaders on the issue of implementation of ITMs at the company level, SISEU Executive Secretary Sylvia Choo shared that the union had worked with several branches to achieve productivity gains through several projects and transformed the workplace.
However, the union will need to work closely with management partners to identify what specific types of training are needed for workers as the pace of disruption intensifies.
Digitalisation
In response to whether there is a need for a timeline for leaders to develop digital capabilities, SISEU emphasised that workers should be proactive and take ownership of their skills upgrading, especially for those in sectors which are more susceptible to technological changes. Relevant and timely training is also an important aspect of the digitalisation transformation, and companies need to provide the relevant support.
Training for Mature Workers
There were also suggestions to address different learning needs for workers of different ages. It was highlighted that employers may be comparing mature workers who have shorter career runways, to younger workers. These employers tend to be reluctant to invest in training their mature employees as their contribution to the company may be seen as less than that of younger workers.
SISEU General Secretary Philip Lee, who is also chairman of the training committee in the manufacturing cluster of ITMs, agreed that a generic training programme may not be suitable for workers of all ages.
In response, SISEU Trustee and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari suggested to change the mindset among the employers towards differentiated learning and shared about SkillsFuture Study Awards.
The awards are given to all types of workers, including mid-career switchers and mature workers who have shown attributes of lifelong learning.
He added: “We want them to be role models so that it sends a clear signal to workers that there are good opportunities even if you’re over 55 years old. Companies will see you as a good investment and want to train you.”
Towards SISEU 2020
The union leaders also discussed topics such as leadership, strengthening representation and membership, and strategised on what should be done from now till 2020.
The objectives included a 100,000-membership target, having more union leaders come forward to serve, and increasing employers’ understanding of the Labour Movement and the value of labour-management relations.
The action plans to meet these objectives will be shared during SISEU’s ODC in July.
