The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the landscape industry, developed by the Tripartite Cluster for Landscape Industry (TCL), was launched on 24 April 2015 to uplift the industry’s image by providing a clear training and career progression pathway for resident landscape workers to earn higher wages as they obtain better skills and become more productive. An estimated 3,000 resident landscape maintenance workers will benefit from the PWM. Service buyers can also look forward to higher quality services.
From 30 June 2016, the PWM for the landscape industry will be incorporated as a requirement in the Landscape Company Register (LCR). Registered companies must ensure that all of their resident landscape maintenance workers are paid wages in line with or higher than the wage levels specified in the PWM. In addition, half of their resident landscape maintenance workers must complete the required training under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework for Landscape. The next half of their resident landscape maintenance workers will need to meet the PWM training requirements by June 2017. Landscape companies that do not comply with the PWM requirements will not be able to obtain registration and bid for Government landscape service tenders.
Companies should train workers early
Since the launch of the PWM for the landscape industry, the TCL members have been actively engaging landscape companies to brief them on the PWM requirements, and encouraging them to plan ahead in order to meet the PWM training and wage requirements.
The TCL is encouraged by early adopters who have taken steps to send their workers for training. As of January 2016, about 151 landscape companies have sent and committed their landscape workers for the required training as stipulated in the PWM. With less than four months before the landscape PWM comes into full effect, it is imperative for landscape companies to comply with the PWM training requirements by 30 June 2016.
More training capacity and flexible training delivery to meet demand
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has been working with the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) to increase training capacity and tailor training delivery to meet training demands. An Assessment-only-Pathway (AOP)/Composite Assessment scheme has been introduced to enable experienced landscape workers to opt for direct assessment and attain the required certification or Statement of Attainment (SOA) without undergoing full training. Flexible training delivery such as weekend classes and on-site training are also available. More than 1,300 training places have been filled up till June 2016.
Minister of State for Manpower and Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Sam Tan, said “It is encouraging to see that many companies have sent their landscape workers for training ahead of the implementation of the PWM. These companies are now benefitting from higher productivity with better skilled employees. Their landscape workers are also receiving better wages that commensurate with their skills. It is a win-win outcome for both the companies and their workers. We strongly urge companies that have yet to send their workers for training to do so soon and take advantage of the flexible training delivery to meet the PWM requirements."
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General, Mr Zainal Sapari, who is also Chairman of the TCL, said, “The TCL is pleased to note that our tripartite efforts to improve the jobs of our landscape workers are bearing some fruit, as evidenced by early adopters. As we gear up for 30 June 2016, when the PWM is incorporated as a requirement in the LCR, we hope to see quicker progress in terms of training so that more workers can benefit earlier from better jobs and better wages.”
Mr Ivan Heng, director of Swee Bee Contractor Pte Ltd, shared, “Implementing the Progressive Wage Model has helped us to raise the skills of our workers. This has increased the productivity of our company as the workers are better-equipped to handle new technology in the landscape industry.”
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