A new programme to recognise and support employers who invest in human capital and adopt progressive workplace practices was launched by Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say during the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices’ (TAFEP) 10th anniversary event on 16 November 2016 at Resorts World Sentosa.
Called the Human Capital Partnership (HCP) Programme, it seeks to grow an inclusive community of progressive employers over time.
HCP will be facilitated by TAFEP and supported by the Ministry of Manpower, the tripartite partners and various economic and sector agencies.
Minister Lim said that employers on HCP will be incentivised for adopting progressive employment practices.
“TAFEP will provide them with a one-stop advisory service to better access various assistance grants, schemes and programmes such as those offered under Adapt and Grow, SkillsFuture and Lean Enterprise Development initiatives,” he explained.
Employers will also receive support in their efforts to strengthen the balance between foreign and local manpower, and the transfer of skills from foreign to local employees.
Minister Lim added: “MOM [Ministry of Manpower] will help them obtain quick approvals of work passes and provide more responsive support for capability transfers.”
Employers who are on the HCP will also be recognised and publicised for their progressive efforts.
The programme will start by early 2017. Within the first six months, it aims to reach out to 100 progressive companies from all sectors and sizes.
Requirements
Employers have to prove their progressiveness before joining the HCP, and commit to three priority outcomes.
First, they have to build a stronger Singaporean core by investing in employees of all ages at all levels. These include young entrants, working mothers, low-wage workers, mature workers and mid-career professionals.
Second, employers have to forge a stronger balance between local and foreign manpower.
Minister Lim explained: “Instead of taking in foreign manpower to displace and substitute local manpower, our employers should be more selective, take them in to fill the three gaps in our local workforce: number gap, skills gap and timing gap.”
Third, employers have to ensure that skills and know-how are transferred from foreign workers to Singaporean workers to help upgrade the local capabilities.
Upon qualification, employers will remain in the HCP for three years. Renewal of the partnership depends on the company’s continued support of progressive workplace practices and efforts in human capital development.
Exemplary SME
One company that will be joining the HCP is Goodrich Global Pte Ltd, a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) that employs some 100 workers in its Singapore operations.
According to regional head Jean Leong, about 30 per cent of the company’s staff are mature workers.
She added: “It [HCP] gives us that added brand, and people will think, ‘That means you are quite a decent employer’ … Some people are turned off by joining an SME. So we need all these added bullets, resources, armour, to help us attract more talents.”
Goodrich already has in place a skills framework to help employees acquire suitable competencies, which are useful for their career progression.
The company also pairs new and younger employees with experienced employees to help them gain experience and different perspectives.
Good to Know
The three-year Human Capital Partnership (HCP) Programme recognises and supports employers who have in place progressive workplace practices.
Interested employers can email to hcpartner@tafep.sg or call 6302 2782 to find out more on how to take part in the HCP Programme.
Source: NTUC This Week
